Food Friday: East-West Flavors, 1965

When we think of community cookbooks we think of cookbooks that aren't as "slick" as the popular cookbooks we find in bookstores. They often don't have images and if they do, they are drawn by someone involved with the cookbook committee. There's no beautiful multi-color photos. The paper is not of the best quality. Worst of all is that plastic comb binding that deteriorates over time and believe me, can be sharp!

From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

Now, not all community cookbooks fit the above description. In the early days before comb bindings, they were actually hardback books. Nice quality paper is an added expense, but some of these cookbooks were meant to be treasured.

Handmade paper over title page. From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

Title page without homemade paper.From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

Today's recipes come from a community cookbook that is probably one of the most beautiful in my collection. It does have the plastic comb binding but it also is printed on heavier paper and includes a front and back page made out of a lovely homemade paper. A clear plastic sheet protects the front and back cover. It's published by the Auxiliary of the West Los Angeles Japanese-American Citizens League from 1965-1966 (read their history here). The title East-West Flavors is appropriate because both Eastern and Western recipes can be found in its 202 pages.

From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

I decided to include two pages of Eastern recipes from this lovely cookbook. Enjoy!

From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega