Cookerati

Legends in the Kitchen, Celebrity Recipes For A Cause – Compiled by Mrs. Howard Keel and Linda F. Radke with a forward by Stephanie Powers.  Legends in the Kitchen is a book that is raising money for charity.  The charity is the Motion Picture and Television Fund – a non- profit organization that serves the people in the entertainment industry.  (Visit mptvfund.org for more info on the non-profit.)

Recipes in the book are provided by friends of the Keels that are in the entertainment industry.  Quite a few are part of Judy Keel’s own family recipes, then there are recipes provided by the stars we know, and those who are new to us, but not to the industry.  Recipes have been provided by James Arness, Stephanie Powers, John Hart and many of the Dallas (television show) Clan.  Most have a little passage telling us where the recipe came from or what inspired it.  Peppered through out are appropriate quotes from some famous people like Erma Bombeck (“I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage”), Meryl Streep and Homer Simpson (“Give me liberty or OOOOO a jelly donut”.  Let me tell you that Howard Keel, was one of my favorite actors and my favorite musical of all time is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in which he starred. Judy Keel went to Ringling School of Art, but instead of becoming a commercial artist, she found happiness with Howard Keel.  Howard and Judy Keel were known for their participation in Charities and Charity Events so it’s very appropriate for her to produce this book.  Linda Radke is the head of the book publishing company – Five Star Publications.  She is also the author of The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing and was named Book Marketer of the Year by Book Publicists of Southern California. 

The recipes are pretty easy family recipes that anyone can make.  I tried out “My Grande Emma’s Lemon Cake Pudding” that was very tasty.  Some of the recipes are basic like “Great Guac Guacamole” by Beau Bridges (I love a great guacamole recipe), “Herb Chicken” by John Hart, and “Garlic Bread” by Fern Fitzgerald but there are others that I’ve never seen before like “Crunchy Pie” by Betty White, “You Don’t Have To Be Jewish Casserole” by Joyce Foy and “Jerky Chicken” by Judy Keel. 

Judy Keel is looking for more recipe donations for the next book, so if you know anyone or if you’re famous (not me) and have something to contribute drop her a line through Five Star Publications.  My suggestion is to better identify some of the contributors because I didn’t know who they all were.  I really love the quotes though, so don’t lose them.  I recommend this book and my grade is a B.  There is a 24 percent discount if you order the book through their online site.