Cooking up something big

‘A Taste of Quail Creek’ unites recipes, desire to help

A five-month creative endeavor by the “Women of Quail Creek” to publish an original cookbook is hot off the press and available to the public at the Quail Creek Craft Fair Nov. 7-8 and seven area outlets.

From early June, when the cookbook idea was launched, through September, when publisher proofs arrived, co-chairs Peggy McGee and Marianne Cobarrubias and 10 committee members developed guidelines for submitting recipes, collected recipes, proofread and edited, decided on fonts, format and photographs and ended up with “A Taste of Quail Creek” — a 158-page cookbook with 388 recipes.

Although she had never been involved in such a project, McGee brought up the cookbook idea at a “Women of Quail Creek” meeting. Cobarrubias had some experience, having worked on a published version of a family cookbook.

The two became co-chairs and worked well together, and what was just an idea in June is now a published cookbook.

Six sections divided into appetizers and beverages, soups and salads, vegetables and side dishes, main dishes, breads and rolls, desserts, and cookies and candy ensure there’s plenty to choose from for every appetite and taste.

There are enough fresh recipes in this collection to impress home gourmands, fussy epicureans and plain folks who just love to try something new.

“We asked that every ingredient be listed in the order it’s used in the recipe...we asked for regional recipes because we’re all from someplace else, and no more than five recipes per person. We didn’t want any one person dominating,” McGee said.

A sampling of recipes includes Butter Pecan Sweet Potatoes, Lemon Pasta, Coconut Shrimp with Pineapple Salsa, Garlic-Lemon Chicken, Italian Zucchini Crescent Pie and Spaghetti Pie.

Desserts run the gourmet gamut from French Kitchen Cr�me Brulee, Chocolate Croissants and �clair Cake to Pina Colada Cheesecake, Tiramisu Toffee Dessert and Seven Layer Cookies.

As with most endeavors there are challenges and rewards. McGee said her greatest challenge was deciding how many cookbooks to have printed.

Early in the project it was decided that all profits would be given to the Green Valley Community Food Bank. McGee and Cobarrubias agreed that their greatest reward would be giving lots of money to the Food Bank.

“A Taste of Quail Creek” sells for $12.

In addition to the cookbook being available at the Quail Creek Craft Fair, it’s also available at: Meredith’s Hallmark; Gift ‘n Gab; Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce; M&I Bank; and Posada Java, all in Green Valley; Tumacookery in Tubac and the Titan Missile Museum in Sahuarita.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.