Saturday, March 27, 2010

Weekend Cooking: Junior League Favorites


It's pretty well-documented that I'm a big fan of Junior League cookbooks, and I have quite a collection. I've shared a few recipes from various editions in the past, but I thought I'd share my "top five" favorites, the ones I most frequently use.

Some Like It South
Pensacola, Florida

Food for Thought
Birmingham, Alabama

True Grits
Atlanta, Georgia

Stop and Smell the Rosemary
Houston, Texas

Come On In!
Jackson, Mississippi

Finally, here's my go-to pasta salad recipe, from Food for Thought. It's sooo delicious...it's the dill that makes it so special. I've never gotten anything less than rave reviews when I serve it.

Tri-Color Rotini with Chicken and Broccoli

2 pounds cooked chicken, chopped
6 cups tri-color rotini pasta, cooked and drained
2-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons Creole seasoning
2 cups fresh broccoli florets

Dressing:
1 cup olive oil (I use a little less)
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons dried dillweed

Put all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Make dressing and toss all to combine. Chill and marinate at least 6 hours before serving.

Note: I put the broccoli into the colander before draining the pasta, and the hot water steams it.

This post is part of Weekend Cooking, which is hosted by Beth Fish Reads.

13 comments:

JoAnn said...

Pasta salad weather will be here soon - I've copied this recipe. Junior League cookbooks are great! My favorite is Applehood & Motherpie (from the Rochester, NY JL). Their For Goodness Taste is good too

Molly said...

I enjoy junior league cookbooks as well. My favorites are River Road Recipes volumes 1 and 2 from Baton Rouge, LA

bermudaonion said...

I've got a small collection of Junior League cookbooks too. You've got me wondering if the League here has one.

caite said...

I have must say i have never seen a Junior League cookbook..I wonder why.
But I do love pasta salad and that 2 tablespoons of Creole seasoning has my interest.

Margot said...

Your pasta salad looks good but I'm also wondering about the Creole seasoning. That's new to me. Since I like having a pasta salad available in hot weather I'm going to give it a try. I'm up for something new. Did you notice that all your cookbooks are from the south?

Beth F said...

First, the salad looks heavenly. Ymmm. Second, I have only one Junior League cookbook, but I love it. Now I think I'm going to have to look for more when I travel or I'm at flea markets.

Heather said...

I don't understand what you mean by 'junior league' are those cookbooks written by non-professional chefs?

Heather said...

I've never heard of them, but I love the titles!!! Especially Stop and Smell the Rosemary - I totally agree with that! The recipe you shared sounds wonderful, thanks for sharing!

Just Mom said...

Hmm - now I am wondering if my mom in Atlanta has True Grits. Fun peek at your collection!

Anonymous said...

I collect cookbooks but don't have any Junior League. I need to find some!

You can find my WC HERE

porcelaine said...

Junior League have the greatest recipes! I have a few of their books here. Do you have our Chicago production by chance?

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