Home Cookin' with Dave's Mom

by Dorothy Letterman, Jess Cagle (Contributor)

Reporting from the snows of Lillehammer, David Letterman's mom and The Late Show' s 1994 Olympic correspondent Dorothy was the ultimate good sport-and her wry comments and deadpan humor won th hearts of millions of viewers. Now Dave's mom tops her tour-de-force television debut with this irresistible, one-of-a-kind cookbook. Filled with delicious recipes straight from AMerica's heartland, as well as special dishes gathered from her family, friends,and The Late Show staffers, Dorothy's culinary delight contains other surprises as lively anecdotes about her children, Jan, David, and Gretchen, when they were growing up, practical kitchen tips, witty asides, and dollops of Dorothy's gentle wisdom for living. With specially selected photographs from the Letterman family album and photos of Dorothy back home in Indiana, there's no treat as satisfying as... HOME COOKIN' WITH DAVE'S MOM! Memories of Dorothy's own mother cooking over a coal stove are interspersed with recipes for Uncle Earl's Creamed Chipped Beef on Tater Tots, Chicken Noodle Soup (with homemade noodles), Cheese Straws, Friendship Tea , and Lemon Fluff (from Dorothy's personal trainer). Here are the secrets for Dave's Hot Baloney Sandwich and Sour Cherry Pie , which she overnights faithfully to him each year for his birthday. Dorothy's got terrific techniques for canning and freezing vegetables, helpful household hints including Dorothy's homemade window cleaner, and dozens of recipes, featuring fun foods, soups and salads, meats, sauces, and unforgettable desserts. "Make sure, if you're using fresh persimmons for Chilled Persimmon Pudding , that they are ripe enough. Otherwise you just pucker up until you can't stand it." She solves the mystery of flaky pie "You can't make a crust without the fat." "I never thought of this in my wildest dreams," Dorothy told Newsweek about her print debut. HOME COOKIN' WITH DAVE'S MOM is her labor of love, spiced with down-home humor, warm-hearted advice, and great-tasting food.

Genres: Cookbooks, Humor, Nonfiction, Food

176 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1996

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this cookbook written by David Letterman’s mom and loaded with family photos, anecdotes and Midwestern recipes that remind me of my Indiana roots. I especially got a kick out of Dave calling his mother from New York for directions on how to make his favorite fried bologna sandwich. I used to love these sandwiches as a teenager, only I always put cheese on the bologna before taking it out of the skillet, so it would be gooey and yummy! Just had Dave’s Mom’s Hot Tuna sandwiches for Lenten Friday night supper—so good, only I substituted Anaheim peppers for the Jalapeños—not so hot. Besides the fun of reading, there are lots of good recipes—marinated carrots, Hoosier chili, and lemon pudding cake are other favorites.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Letterman is not my favorite person, and I had passed this book by a number of times. Finally, I decided to try it after reading some good reviews. It really is a nice book beautifully written by Dave's mom. There are so many pictures and memoirs, plus many delicious recipes. One that I was really excited to come across was Dave's mom's cranberry sauce. It was exactly what I had been searching for, but never able to find. A very nice and unexpected surprise! This book is a really nice addition to anyone's cooking library.

[Julie McElhaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would think a book by David Letterman's mom could be such a nifty find? Dorothy has a great sense of humor and really tells some fun stories in addition to putting some great recipes out there. A fun read!

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Dave's Mom.

[Iroquois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love David Letterman:)
Received this cookbook from my mom as a birthday gift when I was in high school and I love it.

[Kathi Bastin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Wonderful stories included of special, sweet times gone by. One can just picture Dave’s mom shaking her head at his silly nonsense, but the love between mother and son is evident. I love the recipes; they remind me of how my own mother would cook. Everyone should be so lucky to have a mother like Dave’s mom. I have made the layered Tex-Mex appetizer about a million times. I was so lucky to be able to have my copy of the book actually signed by Dorothy when she was on her book tour. I treasure it. I would encourage everyone to buy the book. It’s like a warm hug.

[Debora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read, life stories and the food recipes are typical family affair!

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute:)

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute cookbook with family photos & some really good recipes