Two Insanely Awesome Illinois Cookbooks

Hey everyone! My mom found these two insanely awesome Illinois-centric cookbooks that I just had to share with you TODAY (mainly because I need to get them back into her possession before she notices I snuck off with them, hehe).

So, a couple weeks ago we went to a small, local library's used book sale. We walked out of there with three bags filled with goodies-- way more than I thought we would find-- and tons of total keepers (remember the Destination Moon book I gushed about?). Anyway, my mom found this really need cookbook in the food section called, Prairie Avenue Cookbook: Recipes and Recollections from Prominent 19th Century Chicago Families.

Didn't think I was going to find it on Amazon, but there it is! Anyway, the book is filled with photographs of some of the most prominent old families of Chicago, pictures of their kitchens, dining rooms, drawing rooms, parties, and how British customs and habits during the Victorian and Edwardian periods worked their way into Chicagoan lives. It is a cookbook, so it is chock-full of recipes, and anecdotes about them, that I can't wait to try.

The second cookbook that I want to share with you, my mom brought home from our library's books for sale shelf. And she brought it home on Lincoln's birthday too, which I think is kinda neat since its, Honest to Goodness: Honestly Good Food from Mr. Lincoln's Hometown.

Found it on Amazon too! I love, love, love, the cover photo. They show how they did it right away in the beginning of the cookbook. There are tons of popular midwest recipes in the book, but honestly, its the whole Lincoln tie in that really makes the book a keeper. There are menus included from important days, what so and so was served mentions etc. I made this super delicious hot crab dip from it already!

Do you have a state, historic, or region specific cookbook that I should check out? Let me know about it!