Sheila Lukins Cookbook Giveaway: The Voice of a Generation
Win a Sheila Lukins cookbook!
Sheila Lukins passed away in late August 2009 I was both saddened and flooded with many wonderful food memories. For many boomers like me, Sheila Lukins was our generation’s pied piper of the kitchen. She and her cooking partner Julee Russo inspired us to broaden our appreciation of regional cuisines and expand our palates to crave a range of spices and dishes from their celebrated gourmet food shop in Manhattan. Join us as we celebrate the legacy of Sheila Lukins with a cookbook giveaway. Read on to find out how.
In 1979 Lukins and Russo published their first cookbook, “The Silver Palate Cookbook” (Workman), which sold more than two and a half million copies by 1982. Its recipes like Chicken Marbella with olives, prunes and capers became dinner party classics. Their forte was dishes with sophisticated flavors that the average home cook was able to achieve using fresh ingredients (most readily available at the market) and basic cooking techniques.
Chicken Marbella
During the 80s and 90s, most of my signature dishes were from either their original cookbook or the “The Silver Palate Goodtimes Cookbook.” As a young working professional, I relied on their recipes for celebrations with friends, family, entertaining co-workers and clients — and for impressing dates. Their recipes were secret tips from your favorite caterer. While the cookbooks are devoid of photographs of the finished dishes, many recipes feature introductory notes that drew you into the dish, sharing hints on the preparation, substitutions and entertaining advice. No wonder I was able to feel confident in the kitchen and find my own style – the dynamic duo were by my side! In addition, they included notes in margins about wine pairings, fussy cooking techniques, and unusual ingredients. With Sheila and Julie by your side, you could be a working woman and a stunning cook.
Sheila Lukins went on to become one of America’s best-known and best-loved food writers. It’s been noted that her cookbooks, written alone and with Julee Russo, helped change the way America eats – she encouraged us to widen our tastes and savor the flavors of the world and the USA. For the past 23 years, she was also the Food editor of Parade Magazine, following in the footsteps of Julia Child. In 2007 the James Beard Foundation selected “The Silver Palate Cookbook” as one of 20 essential cookbooks.
Silver Giveaway!
Join us in the kitchen, as we say ‘thank you’ to Sheila Lukins and celebrate her legacy. Her publisher has graciously given us a copy of the 25th anniversary edition of “The Silver Palate Cookbook” to give away.
If it’s time to replace your tattered copy of this essential cookbook, just answer this question the comment section:
What’s your favorite Sheila Lukins recipe?
Let the good times begin! Leave the name of your favorite recipe by 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, October 11; the winner will be contacted shortly thereafter. If you are leaving an anonymous comment, please be sure to leave an email address so you can be contacted if you win!
There are three ways to enter:
1. Leave a comment (see Comment link below) on our Sheila Lukins post with the name of your favorite recipe.
and/or
2. Become a fan of Mama Says on Facebook.
and/or
3. Sign up to receive the Mama Says newsletter.
FINE PRINT Contest begins on October 7, 2009 and all entries are due Sunday, October 11, 2009 by 11:59 p.m. PST. No purchase necessary to enter. One winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries. Mama Says and Workman Press employees are ineligible to enter. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered. The winner will be notified by email and have 24 hours to confirm receipt of the email and forward their contact information for shipment of the prize. If no response is received within 24 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to participants in the U.S. 18 years and older.
In case you’ve never tasted Chicken Marbella – here’s the recipe. While the pairing of chicken, prunes and green olives may seem odd, the resulting flavor is out-of-this world, and the leftovers just as memorable.
CHICKEN MARBELLA
Yield: 8 servings
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup pitted prunes
- 1/4 cup pitted Spanish green olives
- 1/4 cup capers with a bit of juice
- 3 bay leaves
- 8 - 10 garlic cloves, peeled, finely puréed
- 1/4 cup dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper
- 4 – 4 ½ pounds cut-up chicken fryer
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- ½ cup flat-leaf parsley or fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1. Combine olive oil, vinegar, prunes, olives, capers and juice, bay leaves, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken; stir to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Arrange chicken in a single layer in one or two large, shallow baking pans. Pour marinade evenly over chicken. Sprinkle chicken with brown sugar and then pour the wine around the chicken.
4. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour – midway through the baking remove the pan and flip the chicken in the marinade and return to the oven to finish cooking. Note the chicken is done when thigh pieces yield clear yellow juice when pricked with a fork.
5. With a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken, prunes, olives and capers to a serving platter. If desired, spoon fat from pan juices and discard. Moisten chicken with a few spoonfuls of the pan juices; sprinkle with parsley or cilantro. Serve the remaining pan juices in a sauceboat.
Mama Says serving suggestion: Plate chicken with a vegetable, mix cooked prune/olive/capers with egg noodles, & leafy green salad. Dinner is served.
Adapted from “The Silver Palate Cookbook, 25th Anniversary Edition.”
What’s your favorite Sheila Lukins recipe? Leave a comment below to be entered to win a cookbook.
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Tags: Chicken Marbella recipe, giveaway, Julee Russo, Sheila Lukins, The Silver Palate Cookbook
October 7th, 2009 at 10:40 am
You listed my FAVORITE recipe!!! I love her Chicken Marbella and every time I make it- -people LOVE it!!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Chicken Marbella was and is a classic. My boys also loved the Braised Short Ribs - so simple, but earthy for weekend dinners
October 9th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Cajun Pot Roast
Ingredients:
2-3 strips of bacon
2 -3 pound boneless beef chuck pot roast
2+ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 can (14-1/2-ounce size) Cajun-style or Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
3 cloves garlic, minced
splash or two or three of Crystal hot sauce - to taste
flour for dusting roast
Hot cooked rice
Directions:
Trim fat from roast. Fry bacon till crisp. remove bacon retain fat.
Dust roast w/ flour & Cajun seasonings. Brown well all sides in hot bacon fat.
In a 3-1/2- to 4-quart crockery cooker combine undrained tomatoes, onion, celery, garlic and hot sauce. Place meat on top of vegetable mixture.
Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 10 to 12 hours or on high-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours.
Or roast in oven for 2-3 hours @ 375degrees until you can pull apart w/ a fork. You may have to add beef stock or water if too dry.
Serve over rice. Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top. Add warm french bread & salad. Welcome to Bourbon Street baby.
October 9th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I have never seen a copy of her cook book but from what I have read they recipes sound great.
October 9th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Just one?! I’ve tried about 2/3s of the recipe in the Silver Palate Cookbook and annotated some of them. Since Chicken Marbella is already taken, I’ll go with Black Bean Soup. My note about the soup is: “good–trying with ham bone - slightly gamey with hock.”
October 10th, 2009 at 8:10 am
My Silver Palate cookbook is threadbare from use! I was scared to death of Hollandaise until I started using the cookbook. My favorite recipe is the Carrot Cake, by FAR the best!
October 10th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Her Tarragon Chicken Salad is wonderful!
October 10th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
I am a facebook fan.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
I already receive your newsletter.
October 11th, 2009 at 4:18 am
love her version of coq au vin
October 11th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Just became a fan Carol P Dziuba
October 11th, 2009 at 6:54 am
I like her Chicken Marbella.
October 11th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Signed up to receive the Mama Says newsletter.
October 11th, 2009 at 8:19 am
i love the like chicken Marbella
mverno@roadrunner.com
October 11th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Oh no, I had no idea she passed away! That makes me sad.
The New Basics cookbook is an essential cookbook in our house, I love it! There are so many recipes I love, so I will pick one at random as my favorite: Basic Biscuits recipe. It’s SO easy and so good…my biscuits are perfect every time. I love the savory suggestions, too….paprika, black pepper, and chives!
October 11th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Rib Eye with Wild Mushroom Ragout is SO good!
October 11th, 2009 at 10:59 am
The chicken marbella and egg noodles look so delicious. I’ll have to cook this in the near future.
October 11th, 2009 at 11:01 am
I became a fan on FB! (Sarah D)
October 11th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Chicken Mirabella is my favorite!
October 11th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
The garlic mashed potatoes. Then again, potatoes of any kind are high on my list!
October 11th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
One of her very simple recipes I like is “Smoked Salmon Spread”. I’ve never actually owned a cookbook of hers, but gotten my recipes online, etc. I’d love to own a great copy of this book.
October 11th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
My Favorite Chicken Salad
you can find it here- I dial back the oregano & use tarragon which I prefer - and skip the capers too, I must confess!
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/My-Favorite-Chicken-Salad-243484
October 11th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
My favorite recipe is the Apple Pie made with sour cream. Tastes absolutely great. I am saddened to hear of her passing as I lost my mother on August 29, 2009 so it’s doublely sad.
The had the greatest cook books.
October 11th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Chicken Marbela and, for dessert, the carrot cake!
October 11th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I’m not familiar with her recipes, but reading this makes me want to have this cookbook in my collection.
October 11th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
While Chicken Marbella IS a classic, the recipe for brie and tomatoes over linguine, page 79, couldn’t be any easier and makes my family VERY happy in the summer,with ripe Jersey tomatoes. And Chili for a Crowd is a Super Bowl standard. I was so sad to hear about Sheila’s death - it felt like I lost someone I knew.
October 11th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Her Coq au Vin recipe is great.
October 11th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Blanquette de Vaeu. C’est superbe
October 11th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
The Tarragon Chicken Salad.
October 11th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I had no idea Sheila passed away! I grew up with that cookbook. Perhaps I’ll make some turkey-black-bean chili in her honor this evening - my fave.
October 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I love my grandmother’s Dutch apple pie.
October 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I’ve always liked her Fiesta Golden Rice
October 11th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Have never read her book, or her recipes, but the Chicken Marbella sounds like it would be worth the preparation.
October 11th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Cajun Pot Roast is my favorite! So hearty, savory and filling!
October 11th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
*My favorite Sheila Lukins’ recipe and most requested recipe by my family. I don’t have any of her cookbooks. I’ve checked them out at the library. I didn’t realize she died.
Sheila Lukins’ Sunday Herb Roasted Chicken and Veggies
* 1 chicken, about 3 pounds, cut into 8 serving pieces
* salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cups diced (1/2 inch) carrots
* 1 large onion, halved and slivered
* 2 tablespoons minced garlic
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon, or 1 teaspoon dried
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or flat leaf parsley, garnish
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Clean the chicken well and pat dry. Season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Melt the butter with the oil in a large heavy oven proof casserole over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken, in batches, about 10 minutes per batch, being careful not to pierce the skin. Remove to a plate and set aside.
4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the carrots, onions, garlic, and 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Return the chicken pieces along with any accumulated juices to the pot, arranging them atop the vegetables. Cover and bake in the oven for 1 hour, basting occasionally. Sprinkle with chopped tarragon or parsley and serve immediately.
October 11th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I get your newsletter at arteachersusan at gmail dot com!
October 11th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I’m a new FaceBook Fan!! Susan Buetow
October 11th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
How about her Moroccan b’stilla
October 11th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
The coq au vin
October 11th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I like Chicken Salad.
October 11th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Her coq au vin is my favorite recipe.
October 11th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
My favorite recipe is a simple pizza with fresh basil, sliced roma tomatoes, red sauce and fresh mozzarella, yum.
October 11th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
fan on facebook kathylpease
October 11th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I love the Chicken Marbella recipe. So sorry to hear she passed away.
October 11th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
apple pie
October 12th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Sunday Herb Roasted Chicken and Veggies is my favorite.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:37 am
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
October 12th, 2009 at 2:31 am
I love her Rib Eye with Wild Mushroom Ragout recipe!
October 12th, 2009 at 2:32 am
I became your Facebook fan.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:35 am
I signed up for your newsletter.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:00 am
carrot cake
October 12th, 2009 at 3:01 am
signed up for your newsletter