Savory Memories

by L. Elisabeth Beattie (Editor), Linda Elisabeth Lapinta (Editor)

Writers love to tell stories, so when L. Elisabeth Beattie remarked that her next book ought to be a Kentucky writers' cookbook, Betty Layman Receveur replied, "Actually, all my sons ever demand of me is my pound cake." Adding a cup of this and a pinch of that, Beattie cooked up Savory Memories, a collection of twenty-two essays about particular dishes that call up warm memories in the writers.

Featuring recipes and memories from writers such as Joy Bale Boone, George Ella Lyon, Ronni Ludy, Ed McClanahan, Sena Jeter Naslund, and Richard Taylor, this is both a cookbook and a compendium of sentiments. This warm and enjoyable blending of essays, illustrations, and recipes is leavened with humor and laden with nostalgia. As much as the food, these writers celebrate the personalities who lovingly prepared and provided their favorite dishes, sustaining life and helping to shape the personas of the authors themselves.

A collection of highly personal recollections, Savory Memories is a veritable smorgasbord of delights.

184 pages, Hardcover

First published March 19, 1998

Reviews

[Alexandra Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very different book than what I would normally read (as always, thanks book club lol). You don't have to be a chef or baker to find value in this. The essays are about real-life: traditions, family, friends, joy, pain, and every emotion in between.

As a Northerner living in Kentucky, I also learned a lot about Southern cuisine (what the heck is a cracklin').

Big thanks to Kentucky Humanities' Kentucky Reads program for providing this book and scholars to lead discussion.

[Karen M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like to eat and I liked some of the essays, but didn't finish the book