I have a natural affinity for lighthouses. Anywhere we visit that has a light house is fair game for me to make pictures, stand on the shore and gaze at it in wonder or wander around their grounds. Thankfully, all the lighthouses we have visited have been open to the public! As a lover of the coast, I try to sample local dishes and am amazed by the ingenuity and creativity of some of these recipes. Finding The American Lighthouse Cookbook made me want to dive in and begin sampling recipes. This cookbook, written by Becky Sue Epstein and Ed Jackson, is a lighthouse lover’s dream come true. Divided into five sections and covering forty seven lighthouses around the country, including lighthouses from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, features around 300 tried and true recipes passed down through the years. Some of them are over 200 years old but adapted to modern cooking standards.
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| I have spent many hours by this lighthouse. |
We’ve spent a lot of hours around the St. Simon’s lighthouse over the years. It is conveniently located near the public library where I could grab a book to read while the kids played on the playground. The walking path passes directly by the lighthouse and the kids have gazed up at the lighthouse many times, usually wondering aloud if “it is spooky after dark.” When it was dark they spent time reflecting on whether the lighthouse had a ghost. (Supposedly, yes.) Naturally, we were thrilled to see if had been included among the Southeast Atlantic Region selection. We immediately turned over to this chapter because my daughter wanted to make sure the recipes were ones Southerners actually ate. We found recipes for Low Country Boil, Easy Peach Cobbler, Baked Vidalia Onions, Peanut Soup and Black-Eyed Peas and Bacon. While my daughter objected over the addition of Peanut Soup, she did suggest I make a Low Country Boil.
I appreciated the authors’ dedication to researching the lighthouses included in the book. Each chapter begins with a short history of the lighthouse followed by at least five recipes. The menus vary by chapter, covering all meal periods from breakfast through dinner. A paragraph explaining the meal is covered directly above the recipes and helpful tips are found on the margins of many pages. The book is arranged geographically, beginning with the Northeast Atlantic region and ending with the Great Lakes region. While some of the recipes are designed for advance chefs, many of the recipes are simple, easy to prepare and designed for beginning skill levels. This book is a fascinating journey through the world of lighthouses with plenty of good recipes to enjoy while you read.
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{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
I visited a lighthouse in Maine in 2001. I don’t remember the name of the lighthouse. All I remember was that the beach was icky.
I have been to a light house that is on the shores of Lake Michigan and another in Maine
Ive not been to one.
My husband’s father was in the coast guard when he was born and at the time his father was in charge of the Southeast Lighthouse on Block Island, RI. He got to live there until he was 3 years old and has not been back since. So while we have not been there – YET – that is one of my goals for this year, to surprise him with a trip. It would be so cool to tuck plane tickets into this book and give it to him for his birthday in April.
jillcollins68@yahoo.com
I love the lighthouse in Cape May NJ
no i have not been to a lighthouse debbie jackson
djackson1958 at hotmail dot com
I made a trip to the Isle of Shoals (New Hampshire) last summer with a few girlfriends and it was heaven! They bring you by boat out to the private island where you spend the day exploring & relaxing. I would have to say my favorite lighthouse would be theirs: White Island Light (Isles of Shoals Light).
I love several of the old lighthouses on Cape Cod.
The only one I have seen was in Duluth,Minn.
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
The only one’s I can remember going to are the lighthouse’s from when I lived on Cape Cod,Ma.
We’ve visited lots of lighthouses. My favorite is Cape Hatteras, it’s a classic!
CINDY B on rafflecopter
I don’t have any local or favorite litehouses– but I love photos of them.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
I visited lighthouses in Erie PA and North Carolina not sure I have a favorite.
Have never been to one
I have never been to a lighthouse.
Love true southern recipes…LOVE Lighthouses!
llrugs
fav lighthouse is Nauset Light on Cape Cod – regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
My favorite is Old Baldy it is on Bald Head Island NC
so down home souther cooking is so filling
the only one I have ever seen is Mackinac Island
There is one on a beach in Miami, we used to go as a child
Never been to a lighthouse
I like the Lighthouse in Savannah, Georgia.
I’ve always liked Marblehead Lighthouse in Ohio!
I don’t think I’ve been to a lighthouse.
sflickinger at rocketmail dot com
There are several light houses here in Michigan. They are very majestic and a must see if your in the area. Thanks for the great post.
I think it is Nubble Lighthouse in maine
The Pt Reyes Lighthouse near SF, CA is a favorite
rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com
I love the lighthouse in St Augustine, FL
I have not been to one
nope, never been in one before I like the —– Pauline aka Paol Trenny ….. emscout9 at Hotmail dot com
We have a nice one in Point Reyes, California
I love the light houses on the outer banks of NC!
DOn’t have a favorite lighthouse yet!
I LIKE THE JACOBSVILLE LIGHTHOUSE IN MICHIGAN’S U.P. Cheryl Abdelnour cjabdelnour@hotmail.com
Scituate Lighthouse, in Scituate, MA
I grew up there,
We love our lighthouse in St. Augustine, FL!
there is one in north carolina I really liked but cannot recall the name of it
cathycasper@hughes.net
My favorite Lighthouse is in Duluth MN on the North Shore
I like Marblehead up on Lake Erie. It’s the closest one to me.
I’ve never been to one.
Brittney House BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com
we saw a gorgeous one while we was on Maine
vmkids3 at msn dot com
The one in Marblehead, OH is really nice
Miz Vickik