The Modern Pioneer Cookbook by Mary Bryant Shrader

THE MODERN PIONEER COOKBOOK by Mary Bryant Shrader, a Texas hill country cook, offers “Nourishing Recipes from a Traditional Foods Kitchen.” Shrader focuses on techniques like canning and drying; in fact, there is an entire section on Bone Broths and another on Homemade Dairy. As she points out, that “may seem a bit unfamiliar, almost intimidating. But [she continues] not to worry! You will be creating a kitchen rhythm … you will begin to develop a system of soaking your beans or grains before going to bed, feeding your sourdough starter, leaving your milk out on the cold counter to culture and ‘burping’ your jars of vegetable ferments as they bubble away in a corner of your kitchen.” Shrader goes on to describe the importance of eating seasonal foods. Many of her recipes do seem complex, but flavorful (e.g., Spicy Fermented Ginger Carrot Coins). Curious readers may have fun re-creating Oregon Trail Pioneer Brown Bread, too. She will be speaking at the Lake Travis Community Library on September 27th at 7pm. More information about the author, her favorite recipes, and other suggestions are available on her YouTube channel, Mary’s Nest.