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Rating: 
Summary: Another wonderful book
Review: As with her other book, the Route 66 Cookbook, Marion Clark has again combined wonderful recipes with interesting facts and history on the ever-fasinating Route 66. I wish I had this book before I took my Route 66 roadtrip. Of course, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys great recipes. But I also recommend it to those who have traveled or long to travel the "mother road." It's a great read for all! (I'm eagerly awaiting the release of her next Route 66 Cookbook!)
Rating:
Summary: 295 recipes offered by roadside cafes
Review: In The Main Street Of America Cookbook, Marian Clark draws from an eight-state culinary adventure along Route 66 to showcase menus and 295 recipes offered by roadside cafes, restaurants, and eateries (as well as highlighting local home cooks encountered along the road and the secrets of their specialities). From Greek Meatballs; Chicken and Rice in Wine; and Oklahoma Calf Fries; to Ben Konis' Hot Damn Texas Panhandle Salami; Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls; and Baked Apple Pancake, The Main Street Of America Cookbook offers a wealth of highly recommended, nutritious and palate pleasing dishes that would complement any family menu.
Rating: 
Summary: Get Your Kicks On Route 66
Review: Mrs. Clark wholeheartedly wants you to "Get your kicks on Route 66" with the help of her cookbook/guidebook. Following the classic old road from Illinois to California, she visits the kitchens of inns, restaurants, community cookbooks, and residents who provide memories along with regional tastes. For as interesting a concept as this cookbook is, it's a shame that it has as many editing errors as it does. One can overlook the occasional odd terminology used in the ingredients lists (soda instead of baking soda), and the few rather large portion sizes (the recipe for "Mustard Relish" makes 9 pints). But it is unacceptable to have ingredients called for that are not used and exact ingredient sizes not given. The recipe for "Chorizo Roll" asks for 4 links Mexican Chorizo Sausage but doesn't tell you how much that would be in ounces or pounds. I've seen these links come as large as Italian sausage links and as small as breakfast sausage links. It makes a big difference. The recipe for "Paper Bag Apple Pie" lists a 9-inch unbaked pie shell twice, once for the pie and once again for the topping. I double-checked the recipe and the second pie shell was definitely an accidental listing. In the same recipe, though this is probably obvious to some, the ingredients list calls for 6 baking apples but doesn't list a preparation for them (diced, sliced, chopped, etc...). It's not until you get into the description does it mention that the seasoning mixture is to be sprinkled over sliced apples. Of the recipes I tried, each turned out delicious and satisfying, after a few adjustments. Making "Strawberry Muffins" doesn't get any easier and they are not too sweet to serve as a snack or along with breakfast. Though I had to substitute a similar local white wine for the regional one called for in "Chicken and Rice in Wine", the dish smelled heavenly and had a very pleasing taste. The abundance of recipes and travel information warrants the price tag but the mistakes make you want to ask for a discount. If you are curious about traveling along Route 66 yourself someday, you might find some fun recipes to try out or look into tasting straight from the source. In general though, it asks for more bang for the buck than it delivers.
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