Cookbook: A Gardner in the Kitchen

For some reason I've always loved “collaboration cookbooks” like the Junior League cookbooks – Necessities & Temptations or Stop & Smell the Rosemary. I think my awe lies in the power and dedication behind the books – hundreds of people coming together to create a book of remembrances. Each recipe represents a memory, a milestone, a hope.

A collaboration between the Fort Worth Botanical Society, Inc., Garden Club Council of Fort Worth, and The Fort Worth Garden Club, Inc., A Gardner in the Kitchen is represents the true spirit of a “collaboration cookbook.” With 350 recipes selected from those submitted by members, the book also features a brief history of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden - which was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places - and beautiful photos of scenes from the garden. All proceeds from the book will be dedicated to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s education and educational outreach programs benefiting the Fort Worth community.

Each section – Appetizers & Beverages, Breads & Brunch, Soups, etc. – features an area or element of the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. For example, Appetizers & Brunch introduces the Upper Rose Garden known as the Rose Ramp that is illustrative of the “Classic Period” of the American public rose garden; Soups features the Japanese Garden, which started as the vision of Scott Fikes, Fort Worth Superintendant of Horticulture from 1985 to 1974, and is now considered one of the premier Japanese Gardens in the country.

A Gardner in the Kitchen is complete with menu suggestions for a Van Cliburn Party, First Day of Spring Brunch, July 4th Backyard Cookout, Concert in the Garden Picnic, and several more special events and party ideas.

Flipping through, a few recipes that caught my eye … Amaretto Baked Brie, Goat Cheese Nachos; Pumpkin Dip to be served with Gingersnaps, apple slices, or pound cake cubes; Cranberry Margaritas, Fontina Asparagus Tart, Texas 1015 Onion Soup, Dove and Sausage Gumbo, Texas Duck with Pecan Stuffing, Baked Garlic Cheese Grits, World’s Best Cheesecake (now that might be something worth pursuing), Oatmeal Cake with Pecan-Coconut Topping … and that’s just the beginning. I better get to the kitchen.

A Gardner in the Kitchen can be purchased at Fwbg.com. Each book is $30.00 or you can buy 12 for the price of 11 - $330.