"I have made nearly every recipe in this book and it is by far my favorite cookbook. Not only are there all the staples that you need but there are tons of unusual and delicious recipes as well. In the summertime when my garden produces, I love flipping through the pages to find recipes that turn fresh veggies into delicious treats. This book is a must have for cooks and non-cooks alike!" - N.G. from Georgia
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"This cookbook is a must have Junior League cookbook. The recipes are both easy and delicious-perfect for today's busy "foodie." I have made or tasted most of these recipes and have loved everything I have tried! Not only is the book filled with great recipes, but it is also a beautifully illustrated cookbook that you will want to display. The cookbook also makes a great gift. I gave them to my bridesmaids at my wedding and they still talk about how much they love this book!" - S.M. from Georgia
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"The Junior League, in general, is known for their cookbooks, and this cookbook from the Junior League of Athens is no exception! With gorgeous artwork highlighting Athens, Georgia and home to the University of Georgia, this cookbook is a great addition to any Junior League cookbook collector, cookbook enthusiast, or anyone that has visited or holds a special place for Athens. Recipes offer something for everyone and are for the most part easy to prepare and definitely delicious. An AMAZING gift for anyone for any occasion!" - T.H. from Georgia
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"I received this cookbook as a gift from my cousin, and it has been my "go to" cookbook ever since. Every recipe I have ever made from it is DELICIOUS! How can you go wrong?" - C.K. from Massachusetts
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Reprint Press Release - January 11, 2011
The Junior League of Athens Releases Second Edition of Cookbook
The Junior League of Athens is delighted to announce the publication of the second edition of the cookbook, Beyond the Hedges: From Tailgating to Tea Parties. Athens, Georgia, is known for many things…one of which is Sanford Stadium, where fans come together to watch their beloved University of Georgia Bulldogs play football “between the hedges”. The Beyond the Hedges cookbook (ISBN 978-0-9796590-0-3) will take its readers beyond the Sanford Stadium hedges and into the kitchens of Athenians, on a culinary journey beginning with autumn Saturday favorites and flowing through the enduring flavors that continue to delight and nourish throughout the year. Packed with 440 tried and true family triple-tested recipes, Beyond the Hedges is a kitchen staple for any kitchen.
“The Junior League is thrilled to release the second printing of our cookbook, Beyond the Hedges, which is filled with recipes from our members, sustainers and local chefs and celebrities. Whether you are a culinary aficionado or kitchen rookie, you will love this book!" says League President Natalie Glenn. First printed in November 2007, with 5,000 copies, Beyond the Hedges is the second cookbook of the Junior League of Athens.
The League, then known as the Junior Assembly of Athens, published A Cook’s Tour of Athens in 1963, a revised copy write in 1967 and subsequent reprintings in 1965, 1967, 1969, 1972 & 1975. To honor the work of past members, select recipes are included in Beyond the Hedges and are identified with a teapot. Past League member Mary Ann Hodgson, who dedicated 600 hours to A Cook’s Tour, says “Beyond the Hedges has kept abreast of the times with cooking techniques and ingredients” that were not known or available when A Cook’s Tour was first published almost 50 years ago. “This is a cookbook for today instead of yesterday.”
From League sustainer Hazel Caldwells’ custom artwork to kitchen friendly, low pressure recipes suitable for any cook, like the first printing, this second edition is bursting with flavor.
A favorite of the Cookbook Committee is the Graciously Good Grape Salad on page 121:
8 cups green or red seedless grapes
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
½ cup sugar (or equivalent sugar substitute)
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
In large mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese, sour cream and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed. Add vanilla, beating well. Add grapes, tossing gently to combine. Transfer to a large serving bowl and sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans just before serving.
Sales of Beyond the Hedges support an important initiative to feed the children of Athens-Clarke County and surrounding counties through the League's signature project: Food 2 Kids. Food 2 Kids provides food bags to elementary and middle schoolchildren that are in jeopardy of not having enough to eat over weekends. The program is a cooperative effort between the Junior League of Athens and the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. Teachers and counselors have noticed a vast improvement in the concentration and test scores of the children who receive these bags. Currently, over 3,200 bags are delivered each school year, but the demand is tremendous and only growing. Since five of the ACC district's 13 elementary schools have more than 90 percent of their students eligible for free or reduced lunch, expansion of the Food 2 Kids program is constantly needed.
Beyond the Hedges: From Tailgating to Tea Parties is available for purchase at various locations throughout the community, online and at the Taylor Grady House, the headquarters of the League. A continuously updated list of retail locations can be found at www.juniorleagueofathens.org.
Current business locations include:
· Athens Regional Medical Center Pink Posey Gift Shop, Athens
· Athens Welcome Center, Athens
· Borders Books, Athens
· Geo’s Quarters, Sandersville
· Glory Glory, Duluth
· G.J. Ford Bookshop, Saint Simons Island
· Heery’s Too, Athens
· Little Ladybug, Gainesville
· Meme’s House Antiques, Monticello
· St. Mary’s Gift Shop, Athens
· State Botanical Gardens, Athens
· Taylor Grady House, Athens
· The Rolling Pin, Athens
· The Spa @ Foundry Park Inn, Athens
· Thyme After Thyme, Athens
For more information on Beyond the Hedges, the Junior League of Athens or Food 2 Kids, call 706-549-8688 or visit www.juniorleagueofathens.org.
The Junior League of Athens is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
The Junior League of Athens, Inc. is dedicated to reducing poverty in our community and to empowering and guiding women and children into a productive life using the diverse talents of passionate, trained volunteers.
Beyond the Hedges: From Tailgating to Tea Parties
ISBM: 978-0-9796590-0-3 $27.95 hard cover spiral bound 440 recipes