Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities
What do Hannah Montana, Fess Parker, Bill Monroe, and Robert Penn Warren have in common? They all contributed recipes to Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities.
In the spirit of Kentucky neighborliness, take a lighthearted peek into the personal recipe files of celebrities from across Kentucky as well as those who have strong ties to the Bluegrass State.
The cookbook has more than 300 recipes from Kentucky personalities, artists, writers, athletes, sportsmen, actors, and musicians.
Many also have ties to Tennessee, such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus, Crystal Gayle, Terry Mike Jeffery, Naomi Judd, Bill Monroe, and Dwight Yoakam.
Cookbook creator Pamela Whinnery says she does not think of herself as an author. “The real authors are all the wonderful individuals who took time from their busy schedules to graciously share their favorite recipes. I think they were willing to do this because they knew the cookbook would be used as a fundraiser for non-profit organizations all across Kentucky. Fifty percent of any copies sold will be given to charities that wish to use it as a fundraiser,” Pam explains.
She started the project almost six years ago. “There have been so many interesting people and emails,” Whinnery says. “Paducah native and actress Jeri Ryan and her husband French Chef Christophe Eme sent an incredible recipe for lamb, even though they had just had a new baby.”
She recalls when sending his recipe, Academy Award winner Bub Asman (born in Louisville) brought a smile to her face with the statement, “I knew that Oscar would finally pay off.”
Probably the most interesting recipe was from Tom Rickman, whose screenwriting/directing credits include Oscar-nominated Coal Miner’s Daughter and Truman. The description was just like a short story.
Rickman said of his Meatloaf Wellington, “I tried this recipe once on a group of friends from whom the reviews were somewhat, well, guarded. It was, admittedly, an experiment: I wanted to make a down-home version of Beef Wellington, substituting for its upscale (expensive) ingredients some very downscale (cheap) equivalents – meat loaf instead of a choice cut of beef, braunschweiger (or liverwurst) instead of pate de foie gras, etc. My guests applauded the political statement I was trying to make (they were Californians) while politely not asking for second helpings. I liked it though.”
Whinnery believes the cookbook is also a great way to publicize and promote Kentucky tourism and most of all, the wonderful people of Kentucky.
For fund-raising information, contact Pamela Whinnery, 270.554.5332.
Frozen Lemon Ice Box Pie
By Lily Tomlin
- Beat 3 egg whites stiff
- Add ½ cup sugar
- Add yolks, beat well
- Stir in 5 tablespoons of lemon juice
- Fold in one cup stiffly beaten whipping cream
Generously butter a Pyrex dish, sprinkle 1 cup of crushed vanilla wafers to coat dish; pour off excess wafer; pour batter into dish; sprinkle remaining crumbs on top; and freeze.
Lily Tomlin is best known for “Laugh-In” characters Edith Ann & Ernestine. Her role in “Nashville” earned her an Oscar nomination & she stars in the hit series West Wing. Her grandmother lived in Ballard County in Western Kentucky.
Party Mix from the Beaton Family
By Ron Beaton
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Heat butter in baking pan in oven until melted. Stir in seasoned salt and worcestershire sauce. Add cereal, nuts, and pretzels. Mix until well coated. Heat one hour, but stir every 15 minutes. Spread on absorbent paper to cool.
Ron Beaton was a news anchor for NBC Affiliate WPSD-TV in Paducah for over 30 years. He now uses all of his energy for his Money Matters Certified Financial Planning business that grew out of his “Money Matters” segments on WPSD and WKYX radio.
