For the week of October 16 - 22, 2002

Valley writers publish RV cookbook

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Ah, cookbooks. We always seem to have too many, most are barely ever looked at. So how come we never seem to have just the right one when we need it?

The RV Cookbook, By Amy Boyer and Daniella Chace, 238 pp. Prima Publishing. $14.95

Along comes Daniella Chace, a Hailey resident, nutritionist and cookbook author. Together with Amy Boyer, also a Hailey resident, she has recently published a new must have cookbook, "The RV Cookbook."

Say what? Well, wrap your mind around these numbers: In a study commissioned by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, nearly one in 12 U.S. vehicle-owning households now owns an RV as well. That's nearly 7 million households. Today's typical RV owner is 49 years old, married, with an annual household income of $56,000. There are 16,000 public and privately owned campgrounds nationwide.

What makes the cookbook a must-have is that it also works for camping, sailing and in small kitchens in condos and flats. It’s also a great idea for college students, with little practical kitchen experience, living in their first apartments. Using the simpler-the-better method of cooking, "The RV Cookbook" features 100 recipes for such items as Thai Noodles, Borscht, Maui Mahi Mahi and Beef Stew. There are headings for everything from Gourmet Grills and Hearty Breakfasts, to One-Pot Meals and Exotic Elixirs. The recipes are generally for either two or four people.

As a nutritionist Chace includes numerous nutrition tips such as: "Baked Fries are perfect for those who love that satisfying French Fry taste without the fat found in traditional fries."

And since Boyer lived in an RV for a year, the book also includes RV Tips such as: "Look for prewashed spinach in the produce aisle. You won’t need to waste water."

Also helpful are sections with headings, "Tools and Tips for an Efficient Kitchen"—something most cooks can appreciate—and "Tips for a Weekend Trip." Another great section is on how to find quality food while on the road. For instance, they suggest making use of roadside stands, orchards, and visiting microbreweries and wineries.

So, whether your heading out on the highway, looking for adventure or quietly trying to make a home cooked meal in a space meant for a few dresses, "The RV Cookbook" is a handy, small and highly practical guide that might just fit the bill for all those wandering spirits.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.