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RSSCharleston Gazette, The
Two years ago, Gwen McKee and Barbara Moseley of Quail Ridge Press authored "Best of the Best from West Virginia," a part of their state cookbook series.
As with every other state within that series, they carefully selected recipes from regional cookbooks, bringing West Virginia's finest recipes into a "Best of" publication.
McKee and Moseley eventually worked their way around the map, completing their mission of discovering the supreme favorites from each state. Then they went one step further.
"Best of the Best from America Cookbook" is their very latest collection. They revisited their Best of the Best cookbooks and pulled recipes that they felt well-represented each of the 50 states - recipes that hadn't been printed in their Hall of Fame series.
One such recipe belongs to Charleston's Barbara B. McCallum. Her apple cake was taken from her original cookbook "More Than Beans and Cornbread" to first appear in "Best of the Best from West Virginia."
Other West Virginia recipes in "Best of the Best from America" are Mom-Mom's Corn Fritters; Cranberry Apple Salad; Mountain Momma Mudslide; Louella's Blueberry Cake with Lemon Butter Sauce; Mom's Shortcake; Shepherd's Pie; Chocolate Cherry Bombs; Ham Loaf. (From the recipe names, it looks like good ol' Mom has a place of honor in our home kitchens.)
"Best of the Best From America" is available on QVC home shopping network and from the publisher. Write: Quail Ridge Press, P.O. Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043 or visit online at www. quailridge.com for direct purchase and price information.
"Best of the Best from West Virginia" is $16.95 plus tax ($15.90 plus tax with discount card) in Books-A-Million at Dudley Farms Plaza.
McCallum's "More than Beans and Cornbread" is $12.95 plus tax and is available at Books-A-Million, Tamarack, numerous state park gift shops, and by calling toll-free (888) 982-7472.
Food Tidbit
My January Recipe Connection column gave information regarding a non-animal-based gelatin dessert mix called SuperFruits.
There is another brand, KoJel, which is an excellent kosher gelatin product. KoJel, in addition to being good anytime for vegans and vegetarians, is kosher for Passover on April 24.
It isn't routinely carried in any Charleston markets, but, because of the holiday, it's available to the general public for $1 per box at B'nai Jacob Synagogue, 1599 Virginia St. E. Phone 346- 4722.
E-mail judy@wvgazette.com.
