The Community Table Cookbook

By Irene Yadao

If you haven’t already picked up a copy of The Community Table Cookbook, we highly recommend it.  Not only does it benefit a great cause — MCH Meals on Wheels, which delivers hundreds of meals to seniors in Knox County every day — it’s also a delightful read, featuring recipes and stories from various writers, artists, home cooks and chefs within the community.

There’s a stuffed artichoke recipe from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo, a curry chicken recipe from mystery writer Tess Gerritsen, a recipe for Pottsfield Pickles from Nancy Harmon Jenkins, and a decadent chocolate mousse recipe from photographer Patrisha McLean, whose photographs of Meals on Wheels recipients are featured in the cookbook.

Many local establishments, including Billy’s Tavern, Swan’s Way, and Suzuki’s Sushi Bar, shared some of their favorite recipes.  Salt Water Farm’s Annemarie Ahearn contributed a special lasagna recipe, accompanied by a short story recalling one of her first memories of cooking in the kitchen with her grandmother.

The book is comprised of stories both humorous and heart-warming, and celebrates the various ways we nurture each other and our community.

You can find the book locally at Rayr, The Bagel Cafe, Hello Hello Books, The Reading Corner and Sweets & Meats.  It can also be purchased online at www.mchinc.org.

Photograph by Patrisha McLean courtesy of MCH  Meals on Wheels.