Dear Abby....

"Dear Abby" can offer helpful advice to the masses, but she can also help you decide what to make for dinner.  I am not surprised, because Abigail Van Buren (real name: Pauline Phillips) was born in Iowa.   Since I have many ancestors and friends from Iowa, I know Iowans are both smart and kitchen savvy!  This is a delightful booklet of "Dear Abby" recipes.  This one is her favorite recipes printed in 1987, and I also have the one titled more favorite recipes, from 1990.  Abby says when she was at a speaking engagement in 1959 at the Phoenix Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky, she tasted the most delicious pecan pie of her life.  She went to the kitchen to congratulate the chef, and he gave her the recipe, which is included in the booklet.  I have made this pie many times, and I can tell you it is wonderful.

Abby decided to share the pie recipe with her readers, and asked for them to write and let her know how theirs turned out.  She not only received an overwhelming response on the merits of this wonderful pie, people wrote and asked for more of her recipes.  Some of the recipes are treasured ones from her family, and some from chefs she met in her travels.  But since Abby also gives advice, she includes tips on entertaining, how to seat people at a sit-down dinner, liquor and wine advice, and how to break up a party when people are staying too long.  (Don't hint around and hope they will leave, she says; just rise and boldly say, "Well, I think we'll call it an evening and let you nice people go home.")

Besides the pecan pie, there is a great meatloaf recipe that I have also made, and it's equally delicious.  Abby must have had a sweet tooth because her dessert recipes are amazing:  Coconut Cake with Custard Frosting, Melt-in-your-mouth Strudel, Champagne Cake, Cheesecake, Potato Chip Cookies, Authentic Scotch Shortbread Cookies, and Rumba Rum Balls.  Both booklets also offer appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, soups, and salads.  There is an abundance of recipes packed into small little booklets. 

"Dear Abby" is now penned by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, and Abby's cookbooklets are still available.  So I won't hint around for you to order these wonderful little booklets, I will call it a blog and  boldly say, send $12 with your name and mailing address!

Dear Abby Cookbooklet Set

Box 447

Mount Morris, IL 60154-0047

Shipping and handling are included in the price.  Take Abby's advice - these recipes are great!