![]() The Boca Grande Woman's Club resigned in good standing from the General and State Federations of Woman's Clubs in 1981 in order to devote its efforts and funds, including those from cookbook sales, to projects within Boca Grande. It all combines to make this wire-bound hardcover book a keepsake for anyone who has visited and loved Boca Grande or who appreciates good food and casual entertaining. And sprinkled throughout are tidbits about Boca Grande's history and lifestyle. Drawings and paintings of Boca Grande landmarks and scenery by local artists that introduce each chapter had me thinking sunglasses, big hats, seagulls, breezes, boats and saltwater spray. What sets "Hearts of Palm" apart in a field of impressive new cookbooks is its local origins. Save room for apple and almond torte, Boca lemon pudding cake, Key lime bars or fruit with limoncello sauce. How about fettuccine with sausage, olives and broccoli rabe or Mediterranean couscous? The breakfasts, brunches and bread chapter includes a range of recipes as diverse as Gasparilla granola and Tuscan scrambled eggs. Chapters featuring pasta, rice and grain, vegetables and soups are equally tempting. Many of the salads, such as green bean, goat cheese and prosciutto shrimp and fennel or island panzanella could stand on their own for lunch or light dinner. Reading through the chapters, I imagined friends gathering in bright, open kitchens and casual outdoor rooms for hors d'oeuvres of fig and cheese crostini or gravlax with mustard sauce followed by a dinner featuring sugar-and-spice pork chops or tropical ribs, cracker cottage chicken casserole or sea scallops with smoked chili cream. This is reflected in interesting and helpful tips and the "kid-friendly" designations that accompany many of them. Imaginative, but not daunting, the recipes chosen for this book were tested with the home cook in mind. ![]() Reader-friendly typeface, clean layout and type colors combine for an inviting recipe presentation. They were contributed by more than 150 members of the woman's club plus chefs, hostesses and caterers on Boca Grande. Of course, the main reason for a cookbook is the recipes. Even if it hadn't been named "Hearts of Palm," there would be no doubt that the cookbook published by the Boca Grande Woman's Club is a labor of love for community and love of cooking. ![]()
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