Wow! I hit the jackpot at the library book sale a couple of days ago.

[michael-in-phoenix]

Book of Great Cookies by Maida Heatter (1st edition hardback, 1977)

Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook

And two America's Test Kitchen PBS series companion volumes

Spent a whopping 6 bucks, total, for all four! Woo hoo!

Anyone want to point out any favorites in Maida Heatter's book? Or, maybe tell me how to pronounce her name?????

Michael

 

[pat-nocal]

Sounds like you scored! 'Mayta Hatter' is how I've heard her name pronounced.

Someone correct me please, if I'm wrong.

 

[sandi-in-hawaii]

Michael, you might like this blog - the author baked every single cookie in the book!

She takes them to work, and has a panel of coworkers scoring the cookies! One guy automatically docks a point from a cookie if it doesn't have chocolate. She also lists her favorites for each chapter.

Doncha just love library book sales!!

http://mondayswithmaida.blogspot.com/2004/11/mondays-with-maida-archive.html

 

[michael-in-phoenix]

Oh my goodness. Thanks Sandi. This is amazing. Even after 15 - plus years...

...on the internet, I still have moments when I can't believe the amount of information available from a search and a click.

Wow.

Thanks again,

Michael

 

[heather_in_sf]

I gave my mom that Maida book when I was a very young lady, oh so many years ago,

When it was first published! As far as I know she's never baked anything from it. I may abscond with it this Thanksgiving smileys/bigsmile.gif

 

[traca]

Favorite from the Maida Heatter book: REC: Sour Cream and Peacan Dreams

My friend brought these to a dinner party and I was instantly smitten.

Sour Cream and Pecan Dreams

Compliments of Maida Heatter.


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line cookie sheets with parchment or foil.


2 cups sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 egg


Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter.
Add vanilla and sugar and beat well.
Add egg and beat for a few minutes.
On low speed, add dry ingredients.
Beat only until smooth.

Make 3 balls, divided by 2, and again, and again, and again. (Exactly 48.)
Roll into balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
With a wooden handle, make a depression in each cookie.

Make topping.


Sour Cream and Pecan Topping


1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup sour cream
1 generous cup of pecans, finely chopped


Place sugar, cinnamon and sour cream in a small mixing bowl.
Stir until smooth with a rubber spatula.
Stir in nuts.

Drop some topping in each cookie depression with a small spoon.

Topping should be mounded fairly high above rims of cookies.

Bake 13 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool.