Today is Friday, September 25th

G-G-Green Chartreuse-Anthony had lost his stammer in the deep waters of his old romance. It came flowing back to hi, momentarily, with the coffee and liqueurs. "Real G-g-green Chartreuse, made before the expulsion of the monks. There are five distinct tastes as it trickles over the tongue. It is like swallowing a sp-spectrum.-Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh, 1945.

When I feel stress in my life or I am exhausted, I sleep-walk. I have done this all my life. Last night I went to bed hungry. Woke up to find a food bowl and napkins, next to my bed and a open tortilla chips bag in the kitchen. Turns out I nuked shredded cheese on tortilla chips last night & then ate them-sleep eating. I guess it's a combination of stress and exhaustion that starts the sleep eating, not the first time this has happened. But it is the first time, I used the microwave while sleeping.

I know there are people reading my blog out in Internet Land. I appreciate it. Makes me feel less alone.

I'm surprised that my Christmas & Holiday cookbooks haven't sold yet. Christmas is coming. So tonight, I'm going to list my cookbooks for the Holiday season. Look for it under Valerie2901 on EBay or under the general heading of cookbooks.

Best of Holiday Recipes by Taste of Home Magazine

Ladies Home Journal Handbook of Holiday Cuisine

Holiday Cookbook by Miriam B. Loo's

Homemade Christmas-a fundraiser for Marine Toys For Tots Foundation

Treasury of Christmas Recipes-From Your Favorite Brand Name Companies

The Thanksgiving Table by Diane Morgan

So what about that 18 pound baby? Poor mother, I can only imagine her pain at childbirth.

Offered free tickets to Gino Vanelli on Sunday night. Unfortunately, I will be in Los Angeles. I would really like to see him again. Nobody ever offers free tickets for Barry Manilow either, wouldn't mind seeing his show either.

Well, I had plans to make Coconut Custard Pie, but I have run out of time today. Maybe on Tuesday, when I get back from my next trip. Lots of people don't like coconut, but I do.

Cookbook Val

Five Days Later!

Five days later, I am back to this. Really hard to do this, when I'm on a trip. Not much energy on my down time, the airplane pressurization is really getting to me these days.

Choosing The Wine: Red Bordeaux is like the lawful wife: an excellent beverage that goes with every dish and enables one to enjoy one's food. But now then a man wants a change...-My Life and Loves, Frank Harris, 1922-27.

In my ode to fund raiser cookbooks, I have four new ones for you to look over. There are gems in here I tell you.

Hip Kids Cook! by the Junior League of Omaha, NE-standard recipes for kids functions & parties, but a new twist to some familiar recipes

Gourmet Gallery Cookbook by the Stuart Society as a fundraiser for the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, FL. 440 pages of recipes-there has to be something in here for everyone.

Seasoned With Love by the Women's Ministries of Calvary Christian Center of Buena Park, CA

From Our House To Yours by the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Assn. of Realtors of Huntington Beach, CA

Look for these cookbooks and other cookbooks on EBay under general heading of cookbooks or my listing area-Valerie2901. Many times, people have asked me about my listing name. I have had this EBay listing area for many years and as much as I would love to change my listing name, to something like Cookbook Val, but every time you do, you need to open a new bank account for the new name. Too much work.

I just finished a book (now listed on EBay), that I thought was fiction, but in fact turned out to be a memoir (definitely non-fiction). Psychic Junkie by Sarrah Lassez. It actually was quite interesting, though a little slow at times, it was worth finishing. A true story of a women addicted to psychic readings.

So while on this past trip, I'm in my bed and look down and see something black with legs. We've had some issues lately at work with hotels and bed bugs, so immediately, I jumped up and stripped my bed for other little creatures. The thing is though, I didn't feel any bites, and anything that sucks blood out of me, I definitely feel. So I look again at this black thing and realize it is one of my mascaraed coated eyelashes-that's me with the "blonde hair". I found another one later (I rub my eyes too much, hence the loss of eyelashes-luckily they grow back fast). Speaking of which, I have yet to talk to anyone who has used that new product Latisse. I'm interested in feedback on this new prescription only product that grows long great eyelashes.

I really have lots to say, but it's bedtime now. Cookbook Val

True Connoisseurs

True Connoisseurs-As long as the wine is in the mouth, one receives a pleasant but indistinct impression; it is only when one has finished swallowing it that one can really taste, appreciate and identify its particular bouquet; and a short while must elapse before the gourmand can say: "It's good, or passable, or bad. Bless my soul! It's Chambertin! Good grief! It's Suresnes!"

connoisseurs sip their wine; for as they pause after each mouthful, they obtain the sum total of pleasure they would have experienced had they emptied the glass at a single draught.-La Physiologie du gout, Brillat-Savarin, 1828.

I have more to say, but out of time.

Cookbook Val

Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.-Death in the Afternoon, Ernest Hemingway, 1932.

Today I went to the Greek Food Festival at Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Greek Church in Las Vegas. The music was great, the food was fabulous (I had a gyro, with a cucumber type sauce and greek fries), but it was 110 F in the sun and I couldn't stay longer than an hour. I don't usually eat lamb, but this was seasoned and sliced very thin.

I just finished a cookbook mystery called Bread On Arrival by Lou Jane Temple. It was very good and will now be listed on my EBay website-Valerie2901. The mystery was based on bread bakers in Kansas. I'm going to include a recipe from the book. Most were about baking breads, but I quite enjoyed this one:

Vegetable Root Bake

1 lb. each turnips, parsnips, sweet potatoes, new potatoes. Other options are "Granny Smith" apples, rutabagas, butternut squash & acorn squash. Apple cider. Heavy cream. Parmesan cheese. Kosher salt and white pepper.

Slice the root vegetables and layer them in a non-stick sprayed casserole with the apples somewhere in the middle. Season with salt and pepper on each layer and cover roots with apple cider. Cover with foil and bake for 60 minutes at 350 F. Remove from the oven, uncover and add enough heavy cream to cover the vegetables. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and cook to tender, uncovered, about 30 minutes.

Cookbook Val

Venting A Little, Venting A Lot

The Explosive cork-The sound of thy explosive cork, Champagne, has, by some strange witchery, of a sudden taught men the sweet music of speech. A murmur asof a rising storm runs round the table: badinage commences, flirtions flourish...We might tell of breakfasts, and of suppers, suddenly converted from Saharas of intolerable dullness into oases of smiles and laughter by the appearance of Champagne.-Wit, Wisdom and Morals-Distilled from Bacchus,Charles Towey.

Let me vent for a minute. As I have said before I love cookbooks and I enjoy selling them to others on EBay. Yes, to make some money, but it's not alot of money. I buy some of my books at yard sales, but mostly at thrift stores-my maximum purchase price is $1.00 per book. When I sell them on EBay, the starting price is $.99. Look under cookbooks, as a general category or Valerie2901, where my books are listed. I have a single book shipping price, media mail of $3.99 regardless of weight. For multiple purchases I charge $1.99 per each additional book shipping. My local post office sees me once or twice a week, and though I am not Chinese, they refer to me as their Chinese shipper. Why? The Chinese historically sell things for a little bit, but they sell alot and that's how they make their money. Most of my books sell on EBay for $.99, some for more-I'm happy that people want to buy them and to find that unique recipe. On a single book, I make $1.00-1.50 profit. Sometimes with multiple shippings, I make a little more. But people forget about the gas to drive to the thrift stores, yard sales and post office runs every week. Or the supplies I need to purchase to package these. Or the re-listing of some books, week after week and the amount of time, I spend in listing and relisting. Or the fees I pay Paypal, when the book is sold. So its not a big profit, but I'm doing something I enjoy doing, with a product I enjoy selling. So when you ask for big discounts on my books, I think I'm already being fair and after reading this, I hope you will think so too. End of venting.

I really love the quest I have for searching for cookbooks. Today, I bought a Times Life Library series for me. At least for now. Most of these are International cooking books and I look forward to reading them. It was quite a find for me at $1.00 a book for 8 books. Actually, if I had bought the set last week, I would have had all 12, but alas, since it was a purchase for me, I had to think about it for awhile.

So those gems, I told you about before-those spiral cookbooks, used for fundraisers. I think these are the best deals going. Who knows what you're going to find. Here a few more to look for on my EBay site:

"Homemade is Bestmade" for the Sunset Ward in Henderson, NV

Treasured Recipes from Charlotte Hill Elementary School in Las Vegas, NV

Deseret Recipes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, UT

Cooks in Print, Taft Branch Library's 10th Anniversary, Orange, CA

More to come!

I didn't make it to the Lets Make A Deal Show. It is so hard for me to get up early, after coming back from 4 days on the road. I really wanted too, but the energy wasn't there. Maybe next week. The show seems to have the tickets available, so I will see what my energy level is next week.

More to come. Cookbook Val

Another Day

For two minutes, lovers or comrades, to spend a quiet evening with a magnum, drinking no aperitif before, nothing but a glass of cognac after-that is the ideal...The worst time is that dictated by convention, in a crowd, in the early afternoon, at a wedding reception.-New York Vogue, Evelyn Waugh, 1987.

It's not so easy writing a book. I got my 1st five pages done and since then I have blanked out. I will persevere.

You know all of those spiral cookbooks that are used for fundraisers. I sell lots of them on my EBay site-Valerie2901 or look under a general listing-cookbooks. People tend to overlook these books and there are some real gems of recipes in there. Sometimes handed down family recipes, sometimes from contest winners-all worth scavenging for the perfect new recipe to try. Here a just a few of the ones I'm selling:

What's Cooking At Saint Mark's by St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Carmel, IN

The Epiphany Preschool Cookbook from Vienna, VA

A Haven of Delights for Child Haven, Las Vegas, NV

Culinary Capers-Volume Two for the Nursing Division, San Luis Obispo County Health Dept., San Luis Obispo, CA

Look for more cookbooks like these in my next blog.

The GA Dept. of Revenue is still auditing me, but they are being very nice about it. I don't know about you, but doing my taxes always sends me into full panic mode. I know I don't ever owe anything, but still...

Cookbook Val

In the Name of Bacchus

A man who sets you down to a dribble of champagne-who gives you a couple of beggarly glasses between the courses, and winks to John who froths up the liquor in your glass, and screws up the remainder of the bottle for his master's next day drinking-such a man is an impostor and despicable snob... If money is an object to you, drink water...but if there is to be champagne, have no stint of it, in the name of Bacchus... When people have had plenty of champagne, they fancy they have been treated liberally. If you wish to save, save upon your hocks, Sauternes and Moselle's, which count for nothing, but disappear down careless throats so much toast and water...

Incomparably the best champagne I know is to be found in England. It is the most doctored, the most brandied, the most barley-sugared, the most winy wine in the world.-Miscellaneous Papers, William Makepeace Thackeray, 1885.

Today's book promotion is Fondue-big in the 60's & 70's, dinner this way seems to be a way of the past. The Melting Pot, with restaurants throughout the country is one of my favorites, also one of the few still serving fondue, allows an intimate sharing of appetizers, dinners and desserts. I only have one Fondue book-Gourmet International Fondue-The Fine Art of Fondue, Chinese Wok and Chafing Dish Cooking. Look under cookbooks on EBay or under Valerie2901. Looking for ways to spice up your romance? Try an intimate fondue party for two.

Earlier this week, I had dinners with friends and we had brisket and corn relish. I thought when was the last time I had corn relish-I love corn relish. So I came up with this recipe which is supposed to be served hot (the way I like it) or can be eaten cold later. This is considered a summer salad.

Corn and Red Pepper Salad

2, 15.25 oz. can corn, drained, 1 jar roasted red bell peppers (drained), cut into small pieces , 3/4 cup chopped Spanish olives, 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. black pepper, 1 tbsp. oregano.

In a medium pot, add 2 tbsp. of oil, corn and bell peppers. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add olives, remaining oil, salt, pepper and oregano. Mix to combine, then serve.

Makes 4 servings. Hmm, hmm, good.

My mother's missing diamond ring, showed up late yesterday and retrieved today. Yeah! My hair color has had some added highlights, which covered up some of the brassy parts from stripping before and using cheap hotel shampoos to try and strip more color. Back to being dark blonde, looks good.

I am off for a 4 day trip and will try and post, but while away, I use one of those new real small laptops and my fingers are bigger than the letters on the keyboard. It's frustrating to use and write with, but the 2.5 lbs works in my travelling luggage better.

I said yesterday, I was going to try out for Lets Make A Deal on Thursday, didn't mention, that I made it into the costumed audience, about 20 years ago (showing my age), but wasn't selected for games. Last time, I was a playboy bunny with bunny ears, outfit, serving tray and all (back when the Playboy Club was in vogue and I was still young and pretty enough to carry it off). Let's hope as "Gaudie Gertie", the funky chicken, I will get picked for the games this time!

On a final note, how many of you have the George Foreman Grill, in one size or another? One of my friends, told me, that she uses hers' to make pressed sandwiches. I never thought of that before, but it is perfect for that. I bought some gorditas, that would be perfect to make some stuffed pressed sandwiches with!

Cookbook Val

The Sparkling Touch

Champagne is for cheer, for formality. Champagne, and only champagne, is an adequate potable for the Special Occasion when an engagement is announced, or a marriage culminated-when you have sold your first book, been made a partner in the firm, or written a successful play, broken par, or own a Derby winner-or been granted a divorce, or become a father. It is drunk because you desire to usher in the New Year properly, or when you drink a toast to the sainted Robert Burns or Guy Fawkes. An ingenious citizen can manufacture a reason for tippling champagne at the drop of a magnum, but the drinking thereof should be delightfully formal, spiced with a little spurious dignity, predicated on traditional formulae.-Esquire Drink Book, edited by F.A. Birmingham, 1957.

'You know my way with the women; champagne's the thing; make 'em drink, make 'em talk;-make 'em talk, make 'em do anything.'-The Paris Sketch Gook, William Shakespeare Thackeray, 1840.

I should write more in the daytime. In the nighttime, I am tired or cranky and writing doesn't come as easy. I think I'm about to write and finish my first novel now. Twenty pages a day, that's what they say you should aim for-double spaced. All my un-finished novels will remain un-finished for now, I'll come back to them. All my cookbooks will remain the same-un-finished for now. This is at the perfect time for me in life now-no real responsibilities, except to work 3 or 4 days a week and to work on selling my cookbooks on EBay.

Speaking of which, I am going to focus on Pasta today, because I am the only one that likes Pastas cooking I think. It doesn't seem to be in fashion right now and yet, it is the perfect accompanient to a main dish or by itself. Today, I made a pasta dish, that I found on the back of pasta carton, but I added a few things extra to it:

Pasta with Tomatoes & Corn

1 box mini pasta, 1 can (15.5 oz) diced tomatoes (drain any juice), 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped onion 1 can (15.5 oz) drained corn, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, 4 leaves basisl, chopped, salt and pepper to taste

In a medium skillet, saute onion in olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes. Cook pasta according to package directions. Add tomatoes to skillet and simmer for 3 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Add corn and simmer for 2 minutes. Drain pasta and toss with sauce. Stir in cheese and basil before serving.

Nice, light, & tasty!

As I said before, I am selling cookbooks on Ebay-Valerie2901 or you can find me under cookbooks. I have three pasta books available: Better Homes & Gardens Italian Cook Book-a good primer for the beginning cook; Italian Cooking by Poppy Cannon that focuses more on the vegetables and sauces in different regions in Italy, but does offer traditional pastas, I also found a unique recipe with a different twist for Fettuccine Alfredo, that I'm going to try; Great Meals in Minutes by Time-Life Books, that has traditional pastas, but also things like Mozzarella Tart in it.

These books have not been selling and they should, for anyone that loves pasta.

In the last week, I have seen the movie "All About Steve" with Sandra Bullock-was supposed to be funny, lost my mother's diamond engagement ring (first I lost it down the sink of my hotel, was retrieved later that morning, now supposedly in transit with Federal Express), now Federal Express has lost it, threw out my blood pressure medicine by mistake (but it turns out after 5 days, my blood pressure is normal-so the doctor is going to keep me off it and monitoring the situation & I'm being audited by the GA Department of Revenue on Monday. Though I only was given notice of the letter today, to show up Monday morning at their office. I don't think they know I live in Las Vegas right now.

Next week, Lets Make A Deal with Wayne Brady starts filming in Las Vegas and I have tickets. I am going as "Gaudie Gertie", my persona in my chicken wings cookbook. Will post a chicken of me in a funky chicken suit, in the next few days. Actually, I have 2 tickets for the taping, but there is only me going at this time. If there is anyone in Internet land in Las Vegas for next Thursday for the 12 pm taping, that wants to go with me, let me know. I want to win a wonderful exciting trip somewhere or a new car or a new house or just about anything!

Cookbook Val

The Martini

I don't really drink Martinis, too strong for me. One time, I had a severe head cold, was out with friends and they convinced me to have 3 martinis-the next time my head cold was gone. The alcohol was so...strong, it killed all the cold germs in me.

There is something about a Martini,
A tingle remarkably pleasant;
A yellow, a mellow Martini;
I wish that I had one at present.
There is something about a Martini,
Ere the dining and dancing begin,
And to tell you the truth,
It is not the vermouth-
I think that perhaps it's the gin--Collected Verse From 1929 On, Ogden Nash

Last night, after my blog, I think I had the best "box" pizza I have ever had! All Natural French Pastry Pizza Singles-goat cheese & onion. Vegetarian, no trans fats. It is put out by Alex & Liz, founders of Olive Street Table LLC in Santa Barbara, CA or www.tfppc.com. The pastry was actually a light fluffy pie crust. Honestly, it was the best pie crust (or pizza crust), I have ever had, so rich, buttery-perfect.

Today, I spent some time and money at the Palazzo in Las Vegas. It is beautiful, but I'm trying to figure out what the big deal is about it. Very understated, in an elegant way. The marble tiles in the bathroom were good. And unfortunately, I don't have the monetary budget for their shopping arcade. By the looks of the lack of traffic in the stores, neither does anyone else. I did win and lose hundreds of dollars for a couple of hours and ended up breaking even-thank goodness.

I got my bi-monthly pedicure and then went on to the shop next door to get my hair layered. The hair-raisers shop is at Jones & Flamingos in the Smith shopping Center. My hair dresser, Debbie, a former showgirl, now in her 40's, proceeded to give me a teased, big bouffant hair from somewhere in the 1960's. Is she kidding me or what! Plus the sign, said haircuts, $13.99. My bill came to $35.00, plus tip-needless to say, her tip may been bigger, but not when she charges me more than double the price, plus an out-of-date hairdo, shes lucky she got any tip at all. Being the nice person I am, I left without saying anything, went to my car and flattened out my hair. Luckily, I have good hair, that responds to just about anything.

Tonight, I made this great easy chicken recipe that you need to follow exactly:

Burnt Mushroom Chicken

1 to 2 tbsp. lemon juice, 2 to 3 tbsp. butter or margarine, 4 oz. can sliced mushrooms, 4 to 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

Melt butter and lemon juice. Saute' chicken breasts and mushrooms on medium heat. Remove chicken when done (3 to 4 minutes per side, or until no longer pink inside). Continuing saute'ing mushrooms until crispy (burnt). Serve with mushrooms on side or top of chicken.

I used no salt or pepper, and this was wonderful. I will definetly use this in the future.

Now, a plug for my ebay cookbooks website-Valerie2901. 3 books that have not sold in a long time and they should have. "Quick from Scratch-PASTA" by Food & Wine Books. Easy pasta, tasty menus, little time. Another Pasta book-"Great Meals in Minutes-Pasta Menus". Pasta is just not in these days and I don't know why not. The third book is "Classic Recipes For Everyday Cooking" by Better Homes & Gardens-a great starter book for the new cook in your family. All have great, easy recipes, some simple, some elegant-all wonderful. Pasta does not sell easily. I love cooking pasta, in fact I have made many pasta recipes from the Food Network with Giada-great cook, easy recipes. My thing with pasta is easy, a few ingredients, not too greasy, even light if possible.

Tonight, I also went to a show at the Southpoint Htl & Casino to see Ronn Lucas, a ventroliquist. I have seen him many times on cruise ships and always enjoy his show. He will be playing there for the next 5-6 weeks on Thursday night at 7:30pm, well worth the small fee of $20 per person. Maybe the best and least expensive show in town right now.

Cookbook Val

My niche in life

I think I have found my niche in life-filling you with useless and not-so-useless information. As well as recipes to keep you cooking and your stomach filled. I think that's it. That's what this blog is for, my unrequited need to teach people about food and the flavors, tastes, scents and seasonings.

My Wine Tribute: SHERRY: A self-willed wine!

Sherry is a self-willed wine which gives a good deal of trouble to its guardians during its early years; it must have its own way, but like many a difficult child, when Sherry reaches the age of sweet reasonableness, it is the most amenable of all wines, the only one that will not let its nose be put out by being left overnight and even for some days in a decanter; the only one to put up cheerfully with cigarette smoke and over-scented women-A Wine Primer, Andre Simon 1986.

This next book up, I would love to own, but I'm afraid if I did, I would use it all the time. Look for the next 2 books under cookbooks on EBay or Valerie2901. "Mini-Fryer Cookery" by Barbara Melhven. 211 tested recipes from hot appetizers to main dishes, beef fondue to desserts-all deep-fried. Just the way I like it. I had chicken wings about 2 months ago and felt so guilty. I still have french fries once in awhile, that is my comfort food, when I'm not feeling good-so I save it for that time. I think my writing my chicken wings cookbook is the way I can warrant eating chicken wings once in awhile, because I have to test the recipes.

The other book I can recommend is: "Grilling With The Perfect Flame Cookbook". The author is the Grill Company published in 1995. It is not a big book by any means (only 36 pages), but good easy grilling recipes, great marinades, sauces and ideas.

An example: Key Lime Shrimp

1 lb. large raw shrimp, 1/4 cup- lime juice, 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, 1 tsp. garlic, minced.

Peel shrimp, leaving tails intact and thread shrimp on skewers. Mix remaining ingredients in bowl. Grill skewers for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Brush on sauce while grilling. Arrange on platter and serve immediately.

I don't even have to make this recipe, to know it will work and taste good.

I spent the day scouring thrift stores for cookbooks and hit the mother lode at the Outreach Community Center on Lake Mead Blvd in North Las Vegas. Overall today, I bought approximately 70 new and used cookbooks.

I also hit the Poker Palace for bingo-me and all the old people. Of course, I didn't win, I never do, but I was throughly entertained.

Cookbook Val

Kashmir Sapphire-Is it really a Kashmir Sapphire

The search for a colored stone appraiser with experience in Kashmir Sapphires continues. My buyer is still interested, but frustrated with his efforts to find an appraiser. Kashmir Sapphires originate in Northern India, with weather conditions similar to the Himalayas and the region is only accessible 1-2 months per year. I had tried to make a quest there on my own, but the region has now been taken over by a terrorist cell (believed to be part of Osama Bin Laden's group), so sapphires are occasionally smuggled out of there, but no visits for me in the near future.

APERITIFS-Soda-water should never be mixed with the most popular and violent aperitifs, which are generally called 'pastis' or 'amis'. They are made by secret processes and are generally green (but the Greek equivalent, ouzo, is white and some Provencal home-made pastis is orange). When in bottle, they are clear, but as soon as water is put with them, they become cloudy. They taste of aniseed, and until you are used to them they have a violently stimulating effect. They are among the most questionable and habit-forming drinks known to man, and in their strongest forms are forbidden even in France. In their original strengths they were called absinthe's, and contained wormwood, which is provably a deleterious substance-The Plain Man's Guide to Wine, Raymond Postgate 1951.

I found a new book, which I will not be selling, but would recommend if you can find one. Family Circle, Great Chicken Recipes-207 recipes. Lost recipes I have never seen before, when you were allowed to have skin on your chicken breast. Published in 1968, most recipes will be very easy to update with a lower fat content (in other words, boneless skinless, chicken breasts). A great book, I look forward to trying out many recipes.

One of my favorite authors is Katie MacAllister, her latest book I have just finished is "Sex and the Single Vampire". Normally, I don't read books about vampires, but I read everything by Katie MacAllister. Her books are funny, far-fetched and sexy.

One cookbook, I will recommend that I am selling on EBay (cookbooks or Valerie2901), is "Better Homes and Gardens All-Time Favorite Pies". This is my pie bible and where I learned how to make pies. I create my own recipes, now, but I still refer back to this book and its 169 recipes when I need new ideas.

Tried a chicken and pasta recipe, a friend recommended tonight. Sauteeing 1 lb. of chicken tenders in 2 tbsp. olive oil. Then adding a can of fat-free chicken broth, roasted red peppers and 1 container of Alouette Garlic & Herbs Cheese, cook until warmed through and then pour over a box of cooked bowtie pasta. I made it and it's good, but not great-I feel my friend must have left out an ingredient, but I can't figure out what. If anyone knows, let me know. I know it definetly needed salt and pepper.

Cookbook Val