In Memory of Sheila Lukins
The second oldest cookbook I own is The Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook, circa 1985. Although I can’t say that I’ve made many recipes from it, the ones that I have made have been great. And some of the recipes, like the coffee blonde brownies and the grilled curried chicken, are classics that I have made over and over again. I’m so sorry to hear that co-author Sheila Lukin died after being diagnosed just recently with cancer.
Her cookbook really is wonderful. It’s not only a collection of great recipes. The authors added menu ideas, musings about the seasons, and funny quotes like Jimmy Walker’s: “I’d rather be a lamp post in New York than the mayor of Chicago.”
Soon after graduating from college in 1986, I made the seafood gazpacho for guests. I scribbled “rave reviews” in the margins and always remembered what a delicious recipe it was. The other day – about 23 years later -- when my friends who own Scarecrow Hill Community farm gave me a box of vegetables I pulled out the recipe, noticed the old scribble, and made myself yet another delicious batch of gazpacho. Thank you Sheila Lukins and rest in peace.