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Pride of Kentucky

© Lee Ward

Extension offices throughout the commonwealth of Kentucky are selling the Pride of Kentucky.

No, it's not a commodity, but it is about commodities.

It's a book that offers recipes from extension agents across the state as well as stories about Kentucky food, culture and traditions and old photos that serve to record the state's rural heritage.

The book contains both traditional and modern recipes that stress use of Kentucky fresh foods and farm products. Local extension agents also contributed information of various topics, including: Blue Ribbon Beef, Prize-Winning Pork, Premium Poultry and Eggs, Specialty Showcase, Delectable Dairy Dishes, Bountiful Beans and Grains, Gold Medal Gardens, and Sensational Spirits, Sips, and Sweets.

Among the 212 recipes you will find the Dried Apple Stack Cake from the mountain region, Bourbon Balls from the Bluegrass region, and Kentucky Barbecue and Burgoo from the western region.

In addition, you'll find recipes for many of the newer commodities like fresh water shrimp and fish, lamb, goat, and soy products now being produced in Kentucky.

Greenup County agent Rita Spence's recipe for Bellefont Beef Curry and Barbecued Rabbit are included, as are recipes submitted by Boyd County agent Suellen Zornes, who said her recipes for Bourbon Christmas Nog, Bourbon Slush and Molasses Cookies are from Boyd Countian Mada Hunter.

The book also has information about Kentucky food and culture featured in the sidebars and footnotes, with topics ranging from picking wild blackberries to raising chickens on the family farm to curing country hams.

Check out Loretta Lynn's recipe for Chicken and Dumplings and selections from chefs and noted Kentucky cooks. Other features include cooking tips, food safety information and stories about annual festivals and agri-tourism locations.

The project is a partnership between the UK Cooperative Extension Service and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and is coordinated by Family and Consumer Sciences Agents in all 120 counties.

It's a beautiful, hardbound book with photography by James Archambeault on the cover. Educational guidelines for teachers to make classroom use easier are available for each chapter.

Copies are available for $25 at local county extension offices. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to establish an educational endowment through the non-profit Kentucky Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

For additional information and sample recipes, visit the Web site prideofkybook.com. Recipes follow.

Fresh Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
3 cups sliced apples
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

The copyright of the article Pride of Kentucky in Appalachian Cooking is owned by Lee Ward. Permission to republish Pride of Kentucky in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.