‘The Old Ladies Cookbook; A New Generation’
|
| Carol Greathouse (standing) and her niece, Katie Shevokas (seated, right), display copies of cookbooks they’ve published, including the latest, “The Old Ladies Cookbook; A New Generation.” Also pictured are Shevokas’ children, Kiersten (left) and Laela. (BCR photo/Deb Young) |
| Buy Bureau County Republican Photos » |
DEPUE — In 2006, Morris Press published Carol Greathouse’s first cookbook, titled, “The Old Ladies’ Cookbook,” which was compiled from recipes she collected from “some of DePue’s best cooks.” She felt the friends she made from this experience was not only meaningful to her but also to the ladies who helped her with it. They felt a part of the project and were happy to pass along some of their experience and passion for cooking.
In 2007, Greathouse collected recipes and published a second cookbook as a fundraising effort for the Democratic party. She even received a recipe from the then-Senator Barack Obama and other dignitaries.
Now, Greathouse, along with her niece, Katie Shevokas of Spring Valley, has compiled a whole new collection of recipes in a third cookbook, titled, “The Old Ladies’ Cookbook; A New Generation.” As with the previous “Old Ladies’ Cookbook,” each recipe was tested and approved before being included in this cookbook.
Greathouse said the experience she received from the first cookbook was very meaningful to her. That experience gave her the opportunity to take the wisdom and passion for cooking and pass it down to the next generation.
She and Shevokas worked on this “New Generation Cookbook” for about a year.
“It all started with wanting Aunt Carol to teach me how to make ravioli,” Shevokas said. “What started out as a two-day process ended up being a lifelong friendship.”
Together they decided to make another cookbook, and Greathouse was delighted to pass down her knowledge.
“Katie will be a better cook than I,” Greathouse said of her niece.
Shevokas, a mother of two, works full time and is a grad student at Northern Illinois University, but she still finds time to visit Greathouse and try new versions of their own recipes.
“She is teaching me how to use basil and other herbs,” Greathouse said.
They both say cooking is a great stress reliever, especially when folding and filling ravioli.
The 119-page cookbook took almost a year to finish. To cut costs of publishing, they both typed all of the recipes online to the publisher. The cookbook includes helpful cooking hints, conversion tables, equivalency charts, calorie counters and more.
Shevokas said some of her favorite recipes are The Caprese BLT (Page 27) and the Best Pork Rub You Can Find (Page 107). She said you can use the Pork Rub on hamburger, pork or chicken, and it’s great to use when smoking meat. She uses it on pulled pork and then uses Norm’s BBQ Sauce (another favorite) with it. Her favorite desserts are Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Page 90) and Banana Split Cake (Page 72).
Shevokas’ oldest daughter, Kiersten, who is 6 years old, has her own personal page in the cookbook, where she has three easy to make recipes like Jelly Bean Balloon Bouquets. Shevokas’ youngest daughter, Laela, is a good taste tester.
Greathouse said she absolutely will not put a recipe in her cookbooks until they are tried and tested. Most of her testers are herself and family members.
“If it doesn’t pass the taste test, it doesn’t get published,” she said. “All of the recipes are simple to make, even for those just learning to cook. There’s nothing complicated or that requires a huge list of ingredients.”
The “Old Ladies’ Cookbook; A New Generation” may be purchased by contacting Bill Uher at Shelldan Insurance Agency, 1718 Peoria St. in Peru. They may also be ordered directly from Greathouse at greathousejr@comcast.net. The price is $10. If shipping is required, there is a $3 shipping and handling charge.
And finally ... what about another cookbook?
“That will be up to Katie,” Greathouse said.
Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.
