Last week on the drive from Idaho to Michigan (helping my sister move), I reviewed several books on my Nook. One of them was Heartland: The Cookbook by Judith Fertig. Driving on I-80 through America’s heartland was the perfect setting for reading about the Midwest’s cooking traditions and updated recipes.
From the publisher:
Although much of the nation is only beginning to embrace the farm-to-table movement, residents of the Midwest have been living off the bounty of the land since the pioneer days. Judith Fertig’s Heartland melds contemporary cooking with an authentic and appreciative approach to the land, presenting 150 recipes for farm-bounty fare with a modern twist. With a focus on ethnic food traditions as well as seasonal and local flavors of artisan producers, heirloom ingredients, and heritage meats, Heartland embraces the spirit and flavors of the modern farmhouse. Inside, offerings such as Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blackberry Syrup, No-Knead Caraway Rye Bread, and Brew Pub Planked Cheeses comingle with recipes such as Wild Rice Soup with Flyover Duck Confit, Heartland Daube with White Cheddar Polenta, and Italian Fig Cookies.
In addition to the mouthwatering recipes and time-proven wisdom, Heartland includes an ample mix of humorous storytelling, literary and cooking references, and lush full-color landscape and food photography that showcases the heart of American cooking from the nation’s heartland.
Maybe because I’m from Michigan (part of the heartland), I really resonated with this book. I could identify with her stories, especially when she talked about ethnic influences. I hadn’t realized how much my own Dutch heritage (and that of the Dutch community in which I grew up) influenced how we ate. And the recipes, in spite of being modernized in terms of technique (for example, bacon-infused vodka), used ingredients with which I have been enjoying all my life. I bookmarked several of her recipes which might very well become staples, such as the smoked tomato sauce and no-knead bread variations.
The stories and photos also struck a chord. I’ve recently realized how much I appreciate the well-written narrative that comes in cookbooks such as these. As great as the recipes are, if all we really wanted was recipes we would just search the internet. The more inspired cookbooks provide an escape while we’re reading it, conjuring up images of rhubarb borders in the side yard and making pickles in the summer.
Most of all, I gained an appreciation for Midwestern cooking. Maybe because it’s so common that people don’t think of it as its own cuisine (at least I didn’t), but it is distinct and one which I’d like to explore more. While I love Indian and Thai and California influences, I would love to get back to my rural West Michigan roots and begin learning more about cuisine from the Heartland.
Bottom line? This is one of the best cookbooks I’ve read in a long, long time.
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I have one of her other cookbooks, and felt the same way when I read it (I’m from MN). Thanks for the review, I was considering this one, and I’ll definitely be putting it on my list!
will definitely check out her other cookbooks, thanks for the tip!
Your part of Michigan sounds quite a lot like Holland/Zeeland! My husband grew up there and we both went to Hope 🙂 We’re down in South Carolina now, so this book sounds great!
Small world! I live between Grand Rapids and Holland so yes, same sub culture 🙂
When I first learned of this cookbook, I purchased it because the author, Judith Fertig, had been a friend of mine many years ago in Ohio. Then, I really was able to relish the literary quality and fine story-telling that The Local Cook described in her review. Together, this is a genuine treasure, both for its’ tasty and predictable culinary results but also for the simple pleasure of her craft. I hope you will use and enjoy this gem!
It’s fast becoming a favorite!