Find yourself in the kitchen with Abuelita… learning the balance of life and love through food… I’ve tried three times to write a post about the delights of this cookbook, which is a collaboration with my dearest friend, Madeline Gallego Thorpe. For the record, she is a superb cook and multimedia artist while I am a super taster and teller of tales. Why has this blog been so stubborn? Maybe it’s because I want it to be perfect. These are Madeline’s family stories that give great insight into the loves and lives of a Hispanic family in Tucson. Maybe I want to say proudly, this is one of the best Sonoran Mexican cookbooks you’ll ever see, because it is! Maybe I want to emphasize that this isn’t an ordinary cookbook. We have family recipes that relate to the history of food in this region. Not Tex-Mex. Not California style. Not even New Mexican, but close. This, in many ways, is a cultural cookbook. And what does that mean? We have included recitas, recuerdos, remedios Y dichos, (recipes, stories, remedies, and sayings) along with history, English and Spanish language, essays, and photos. That kind of culture. What I know for sure is that writing and publishing this cookbook with my friend is one of the most satisfying projects I’ve ever accomplished. Madeline and I will be presenting and signing copies of Corazón Contento at the Western Parks Association headquarters, 12880 N. Vistoso Village Drive, Tucson, AZ, 85755 (actually in Oro Valley) on Wednesday, February 27, at 2:00. We’ll talk food and families, have some fun and laughs, and oh yes, cookies! So, come join us! If you can’t make it but are interested in obtaining a copy of this wonderful, heart-warming book, email [email protected] . He will take care of purchasing details. |