The Joy of Regional Cookbooks: Local Recipes that Travel
Illustrations by Courtney Jentzen
For many of us, this has been a time of Staying Put. But even though we aren’t traveling, we can still explore the world around us through food. We might do that by cooking with produce from local farmers markets, savoring the seasonal flavors and our own culinary landscape. Or, perhaps, we might seek out recipes from far-flung locales using those dishes as a way to transport ourselves to beloved places without ever leaving home.
Here at Connected Dots Media, we love to do both! In that spirit, we’ve published a beautiful series of cookbooks focused on landmark culinary destinations around the country, from San Francisco to the Southwest and New Orleans to Maine.
Each one of these small, illustrated—and imminently giftable—books acts as both a cookbook and travel guide, celebrating the quintessential flavors and landmarks of its place of origin.
A Little Taste of San Francisco
Written by Bay Area food writer Stephanie Rosenbaum Klassen, this little book reveals the big secrets to bringing the classic dishes of San Francisco to your table: from mixing a perfectly balanced mai tai to baking Hong Kong–style egg tarts, from making homemade paletas to whipping up a pot of hearty cioppino. lllustrations of Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, Dungeness crabs, and other regional icons and ingredients will remind you of the beauty of the City by the Bay.
Written by James Beard award-winning food writer Danielle Centoni, this little book provides recipes that feature regional fare, such as grilled cedar-plank salmon, apple cider doughnuts, and the iconic Flaming Spanish Mocha. Illustrated with watercolors of Mount Hood, the White Stag sign, The Little Local Portland Cookbook will transport you to this beautiful foodie metropolis.
Peppered with images of local landmarks and ingredients, this little book brings the beauty of the American Southwest right into your kitchen. Tucson-based writer Marilyn Noble explores the region’s diverse culinary traditions, sharing tips on how to make expertly crisped chiles rellenos, spicy red chile posole, and sweet-tart prickly pear lemonade.
Illustrations of Texas longhorns, cowboy boots, windmills, and wide-open landscapes transport readers to the Lone Star state in this charming cookbook. Author Hilah Johnson, an Austin native, approaches classic Texas recipes with her usual blend of practicality and humor, sharing strategies for making fall-off-the-bone tender baby back ribs, pillowy apricot kolaches, and that most quintessential Texas appetizer: queso.
Explore the Big Easy though 30 beloved dishes. New Orleans-based food writer Stephanie Jane Carter includes recipes for iconic regional dishes including chicken and sausage jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, and bread pudding. Illustrated with watercolors of the St. Charles streetcar, the Mississippi River paddle wheeler, and Bourbon Street, this little book makes a perfect souvenir.
Illustrations of jaunty sailboats and placid beachscapes evoke the spirit of the cape in this beautiful book. Northeast food writer Annie B. Copps shares tips and tricks for recreating Cape Cod classics at home, with recipes for lobster rolls, soft-shell clams steamed in beer, and summery cocktails, such as the Cape Codder.
Images of covered bridges, vivid-hued autumn foliage, and old-fashioned cross-country skis reflect the seasonal splendor of the Green Mountain State. Burlington-based author Melissa Pasanen teaches home cooks to put Vermont’s abundant fresh ingredients to use. Recipes include such Vermont classics as ginger maple pumpkin muffins, cheddar ale soup, and strawberry rhubarb crisp.
Transport yourself to Vacationland with 30 iconic Maine recipes. Author Annie B. Copps spotlights time-honored Maine recipes, from oysters to steamed lobster, spiced apple cider to whoopie pies. Illustrated with images of classic sights—a lighthouse, a puffin, a placid lake—this book is perfect for every Mainer, and Mainer-at-heart.