In the old days, neighbors wouldn’t think
twice about borrowing cups of flour from one another in a pinch
or sharing casserole recipes. To bring back a taste of that culinary
camaraderie, the DUMBO Neighborhood Association (DNA) is launching
an effort to collect local recipes.
The group is putting together a "neighborhood cookbook"
featuring 150 favorite recipes from local residents and area
restaurants. And if the kitchen makes you uncomfortable, fear
not. Takeout menus from local restaurants are being included
for those who like to make reservations for dinner.
"This kind of cookbook couldn’t have been done by anyone
else," Marisa Farina, DNA’s treasurer, told GO Brooklyn.
"It’s a community effort, and everyone wants to be involved."
All proceeds from the cookbook will support DNA’s community improvement
efforts.
According to Farina, the cookbook will be available for purchase
at area retailers for $20 in June, when a potluck launch party
will be held at BSH Home Appliance Corporation’s Showroom at
1 Main St. at Water Street.
Farina, who said she’s "not a cook," explained that
the cookbook will cater to both chefs and amateurs alike.
"It will be organized by type of meal and will include
sections on ’great meals for kids’ and ’under 15-minute preparation
time,’" she said. It will also have an index of names for
those who have submitted recipes; that way, said Farina, "if
you know somebody who’s a great cook, you can look up his or
her recipes by name."
To submit a recipe of your own by March 14, visit DNA’s Web
site at www.dumbo-dna.org
or call president Nancy Webster at (917) 439-1585 for more information.
