Another one of the cookbooks in the box Vince found was this:
Louisiana Lagniappe
It’s a compilation of four cookbooks by Mercedes Vidrine and was published by Claitor’s in 1973.
Cookbook
Claitor’s was know for publishing law books and since I worked for attorneys for many years in Louisiana, I was familiar with them but never realized they published other type books til I looked at this book just last week.
Cookbook
As you can see, my copy is well worn. The back cover is missing, pages are torn, any many pages are stained. Vince asked me if it had good recipes and I said “I’m not sure if it has excellent recipes or, because back in 1973, I didn’t even know how to boil water but I remember using the heck out of this cookbook.” I remember going to bed many nights reading this cookbook and planning meals. I think it’s safe to say that book probably had more influence on my cooking than any other one thing.
Since finding this book last week, I’ve gone to bed looking at it every night. Some of the stained and tattered pages were the recipes I cooked the most and had totally forgotten about. Pork Jambalaya with Burnt Sugar. Mexican Rice with Ground Beef. Meat Loaf a la Onion Soup . . I think this is where my love affair with onion soup mix began. Spaghetti with Ground Round. These recipes bring back more memories than I would have imagined.
I was talking to Chad yesterday and I was telling him about it. He was hemming and hawing and finally said “I hate to sound morbid, but could I have that cookbook when you’re done cooking?” I told him . . I knew you would want it and I ordered one for you.
Louisiana Lagniappe
Same cover design but it’s red. Same recipes. He’s going to love this and cherish it and I hope some day, little Addie will be cooking recipes from this book for her family and remembering her Louisiana roots.
I don’t know how many of you would like the book but here’s the link to it on Amazon. When you think of how things have gone up in price . . I paid $6.95 for this book (it could have been a gift . I don’t even know how I got it.) Now it’s $14.85. Knowing how much I love this cookbook, I would have paid way more for a pristine copy!
Tina in NJ says
I’m impressed that the cookbook is still available after being first published in 1973! You were lucky to have found it.
Dotti says
When I saw you were going through boxes, I thought, good, if they are thinking about moving, start cleaning out stuff now. Amazing how much you collect over years. Even though you move several times, somehow when you stay put for a while, things seem to multiply on their own. I do hope you feel better. I have pinched nerve in my neck and have much sympathy for you. Even reading gets boring after awhile. Vince will be in heaven when you start cooking from that book. Feel better.
Susan says
Your recipes sound delicious, and familiar. My mother’s family was from Leesville, which we’ve spoken of before, and I’ll bet I grew up with some of what’s in that book! Thanks for the link.