Texas Judicial Cookbook

Dennis R. Mott

10/6/2007

Review is by Molly

From McLennan County's Jim Lewis, judge, comes a quick and easy casserole. Hopkins County stew, Cheese Dip from Hill County, and Gobs from Ellis County edge the reader into the kitchen. Yes, Gobs. Chad Adams, judge, offers what appears to be a sure winner of a cookie. I intend to try them soon. Gobs along with Cornbread Salad from Freestone County will appear on our supper table this coming week. I know I can depend on Sheriff Ralph Billings' yummy salad recipe.

Taco Soup, Rotel, Fruit Filled Tortillas, Hummingbird Cake, and Banana Bread all use ingredients found in most pantries. Tom Green County's DPS Randy Swick offers Swick's Love Muffins, muffins having chocolate chips as an ingredient are sure to be just that. Law Judge Al Gerson Jefferson County and his recipes for Braised Doves, Chicken Pork Jambalaya, Italian Batter Friend shark bites and Quailgerson indicate a man who likes to cook, likes to eat or perhaps likes to do both. Bean Dip, Crawfish and Rice, Pretzel Salad, Jailhouse Rolls, Chicken N Rice, Lasagna, I'm getting hungry. A Southern cookbook would not be complete with a recipe for Pecan Pie, and I found it: Jasper County Judge Joe Wilkinson submitted his recipe. Apple Dumplings, Fresh Apple Cake, Aunt Jean's Coconut Pie, Rum Cake and from Kay Bailey Hutchinson Cousin Susie's Perfect Fudge; this is one book for review that I will be keeping, and using.

"In 1999 the Historic Courthouse Preservation Program to provide grants to counties in need of courthouse renovations was established. The Texas Judicial Cookbook is a culinary tribute to these monuments of justice and leadership, fashioned by the hands of pioneering Texans. This compilation of recipes from residing judges, former judges and other state and county officials is enhanced by beautiful photographs of these historical treasures."

Texas Judicial Cookbook is a spiral bound work of art. The recipes, 59, are the type I like most to see and use; family favorites which means in most cases the recipes are ones family and kids will eat, can be made from ingredients on hand and do not require long hours of preparation. The abundance of photographs included is lovely. Courthouses built in a time gone by when life was slower, beauty was revered and rotundas, stained glass and stone grace the structures are worth the price of the book whether the buyer is interested in the recipes or not. For a collector of cookbooks this is a treasure trove of beauty and recipes.

Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County has one of the most beautiful of the courthouses included. The Romanesque Revival design by James Riely Gordon was built in 1895. A two page spread of pictures showing the building from several views, close ups and butterflies perched on blossoms in from of the building are breathtaking. Judge Millsap's recipe for stew is offset with a close-up of the Courthouse tower as well as information regarding the architect and a note having historical interest are included along with a photo of judge Millsap.

The buildings run a gamut of Beaux-Arts, Classical Revival, Renaissance Revival, Second Empire, Texas Renaissance designs are a few of the designs brought to life by designers James Riely Gordon, Jaspar N Preston and Son, Henry Phelps are but three of the designers listed. It appears that Mr. Gordon is the designer designing more of the structures than any other.

Recipe ingredients include packaged cake mix, frozen pie crust, packaged tortillas, canned vegetables, Ramen noodles, canned soup, canned chicken broth, Bisquick, cool whip and pretzels. These are real recipes provided by real people to be used in real homes by busy working folks. I like this.

I am both a history buff and collector of cookbooks. Texas Judicial Cookbook satisfied both cravings, and, unlike some cookbooks' I have earmarked a number of these recipes to use with my family. I enjoyed reading about the various courthouses and viewing the photos of them nearly as much as I did reading the recipes. Meal time should prove 'Texas' for several days to come and will include salads, breads, entrees and desserts all made using these recipes.

I received a hardbound copy for review. Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend. Texas Judicial Cookbook will prove to a super addition to the personal kitchen cookbook shelf, as well as the reading lists for the home economics teacher, extension coordinator and 4-H leader.

You can find more about this book at .