HBG Guild's "Under the Dogwood Tree" Cookbook

Finally, a 272-page, first cookbook by the Huntsville Botanical Garden Guild packed with their very best recipes, beautiful photos of the Garden, useful cooking and baking hints ("when boiling corn, add sugar to the water instead of salt, which makes corn tough.") scattered throughout plus a chart on napkin folding, herbs & spices, and substitutions. This book features treasured dishes and would make a valuable addition to a Southern kitchen library.

I know better than most all the hard work that goes into publishing a cookbook. I was the chairman for my Iowa church's 75th Anniversary Cookbook--long before computers. Maybe that is why I admired the fine job the Huntsville Botanical Garden Guild has done with "Under the Dogwood Tree" cookbook.

This book is filled with hidden treasures and little surprises. Besides a history of the ancient dogwood tree at the Garden, you'll find highlights of the Guild, recipes from VIP's and helpful cooking hints throughout.

It's fun to peek inside "The Local Flavor" section of the book and see food preferences of some "celebrities" like Mayor Spencer, First Lady of Alabama Patsy Riley, Senator Richard Shelby, TV personalities, local caterers, politicians and CEO's. One easy recipe I want to try is WHNT-TV's Dianna Gee's "Homemade Biscuits & Chocolate Gravy.

Some unusual recipes in the cookbook include "Dr. Schnell's Christmas Wine" that uses a balloon, of all things, and Dr. Mabry Miller's interesting sounding "Try & Guess Salad." The "This & That" section of the book includes a mixture of recipes that don't fit neatly in any category: Pickled Eggs, Dot's Pink Grapefruit Ice, Holiday Relish, Squash Pickles, Christmas Scent and Rhubarb Jam.

"Under the Dogwood Tree" Cookbook can be purchased for $20 plus tax at the Huntsville Botanical Garden Gift Shop, 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville. For more information, call (256) 830-4447.