Sugar, Sugar: A great new storybook and cookbook
Authors Kimberly Reiner and Jenna Sanz-Agero, also known as the Sugar Mommas, are appearing on Saturday November 5 at popular San Francisco culinary bookstore Omnivore Books to promote their new cookbook Sugar, Sugar: Every Recipe Has a Story. And you can win a copy of this book; keep reading for details.
Sugar, Sugar (published October 26, 2011, Andrews McMeel, $29.95) is more than a cookbook. It’s a storybook, rich with sweet memories, written in a playful, engaging style. For example, readers are encouraged when making pie crusts to “…think of the dough as adult Play-Doh,” and the book’s chapter titles include “Better Than Nooky Cookies” and “Cakes to Diet For.”
I’ve got one copy of Sugar, Sugar to give away to a lucky reader: If you’re interested, email your name to tfatemiwalker@yahoo.com by Sunday, November 6 at midnight. I’ll draw one name at random and the winner will receive a cookbook copy in the mail.
Co-author Kimberly “Momma” Reiner reflects on the book’s origins. She had appeared on both Rachael Ray’s and Martha Stewart’s shows after her homemade fudge made it to Oprah’s famous “Favorite Things” list. “During that roller-coaster ride, I spoke to people across the country who told me about their favorite family recipes. It wasn’t just the recipes I coveted; I wanted to hear people recount their sugar story. The seed was planted to write this book.”
As she began doing research, Reiner struck recipe gold: “I learned about a pecan pie that was believed to have originated from a slave and been passed down two generations to a granddaughter named Lucinda Bell. My heart palpitated…the recipe had never been written down. I knew…I had begun a journey to collect old sugar recipes and their stories before they faded away. What started as a sugar voyage turned into a documentary of American heritage.”
Reiner found out that her former law school classmate, Jenna Sanz-Agero (also lead singer of rock band Vixen), was interested in the project and they began their treasure hunt for treats; this resulted in the highly praised Sugar, Sugar. Rochelle Huppin, former pastry chef for Wolfgang Puck among others, writes: “Kimberly and Jenna are dessert historians. These Sugar Mommas take the stories of our favorite desserts, as well as some hidden gems and reveal a sweeter side of history.” Lisa Rosenblatt, co-CEO of ModernMom.com, appreciates how kid-friendly the book is: “With sassy wit and a modern voice, the Sugar Mommas make baking fun! Recipes such as Candy Cane and Princess Cut-out Cookies are simple to make with our children. The quick tips and short cuts mean even the baking challenged can whip up treats the entire family will enjoy.”
One of the Sugar Mommas’ favorite recipes from the book is Oatmeal Carmelitas. “I have a caramel ‘problem’ and I gravitate towards any dessert with caramel. This recipe is for oatmeal bars with ooey gooey caramel inside, so they just make my knees wobbly. I usually eat half the pan right out of the oven before they set,” says Reiner (note: I will share this recipe in my column in the next couple days – Tara). “Readers seem very drawn to the Banana Caramel Cake,” Reiner continues. “We also love this cake. It is fool-proof and indestructible so it’s a good cake for people who are unsure about their baking ability. Whenever I have two ripe bananas in the kitchen, I just whip up a Banana Caramel Cake and watch the kids dive in. If you are short on time, it’s a one-bowl wonder.”
One woman who contributed two recipes to Sugar, Sugar is Mississippi resident Catherine Watson. The recipes are Lemon Starlets, adapted from Watson’s mother-in-law’s recipe, and Coconut Angel Food Cake, adapted from her grandmother’s recipe. “We met so many wonderful people along this journey, that we both feel our lives have been enriched in so many ways,” shared Reiner. “However, Catherine Watson of Mississippi really stood out. She is a quintessential southern lady. Not only is she a gifted baker, but she is wicked funny in that very southern demure way. She reminds me of why we started this ‘recipe revolution’ and why it is so important to collect heirloom recipes before they disappear.” Reiner and Sanz-Agero exchanged many emails with Watson, and published a few humorous bits from her including: “I love sugar so much, I named my dog Sugar so I could go outside and holler, ‘Come here, Sugar!’”
I highly recommend Sugar, Sugar. You’ll enjoy the many anecdotes from across the country, and the more than 100 recipes for cookies, cakes, crisps, cobbler, bars, pies, and tarts. For more on the Sugar Mommas – and to submit your own recipe to the Mommas – see the web site at www.sugarsugarrecipes.com.
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Reading Details: Free admission, 3-4pm, Omnivore Books 3885a Cesar Chavez St. San Francisco 94131. Call Omnivore at (415) 282-4712 for more information.