The Brooklyn Cookbook (Knopf Cooks American)

About this book

Brooklyn has been called the fourth largest city in America and it is the Boroughs claim that one out of every seven United States citizens has roots here. Brooklyn is also Americas most celebrated hometown. Everybody knows where it is (across that bridge) and almost everybody has an opinion about it: dont the people say "boid" and "toity-toid " and act argumentative brassy and sassy? Sure they do -- at least some of them. They also say what they mean in other tongues for groups from all over the world call Brooklyn home. Brooklynites are fiercely loyal to neighborhood family and the food that nourishes them body and soul. That is what this book celebrates ... I can hear you asking What is Brooklyn food? What makes it special? No one claims that we have the kind of food that characterizes a region such as Boston baked beans Maryland crab cakes or Philadelphia cheese steak. What defines our food is in short attitude and memory. The Brooklyn attitude is "You respect me Ill respect you; but believe me -- my neighborhood and my food. is best." Memory ensures that the stories of good times and the food that made them so are passed along to younger family members. The neighborhoods are distinct but they are ever changing. Where most immigrants once came largely from Europe they now arrive from the Caribbean and Asia. Formerly Scandinavian Bay Ridge is now home to Greeks Chinese and the fastest-growing group of Middle Easterners anywhere. Brooklyn is by no means all blue collar (it never was); Wall Streeters and other executive types appreciate the wonderful houses and tree-lined streets. They have their foodways too. Thomas Wolfe a writer who once lived in Brooklyn was wrong: you can go home again home to the Brooklyn that lives in the rich memories and cherished recipes of the sons and daughters of the Borough. As we who live on the eastern side of the Brooklyn Bridge say come on over! to feeding the Dodgers and the Polar Bear swimmers who brave the icy waters of the Atlantic all winter -- with wonderful nostalgic photographs. Family tradition and neighborhood are at the heart of Brooklyn life. And it is the food -- reflected in the kinds of recipes gathered here -- that expresses these values.