The Muffin Lady: Muffins, Cupcakes, and Quickbreads for the Happy Soul - Hardcover

Fisher, Linda

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060392460 ISBN 13: 9780060392468

Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks, 1997

Synopsis

When we think of an inheritance, thoughts of money or some jewel-encrusted heirloom usually spring to mind. Well, Linda Fisher's inheritance did get her out of financial trouble, but it was nothing more than one of her mother's recipes and the values with which she was raised.

Suddenly finding herself divorced and struggling to support her son and make ends meet, Linda, rather than ask for public assistance, vowed to take care of her own. She dug up her mother's pancake recipe and modified it into a muffin batter. Then she loaded up her red Radio Flyer wagon and hit the pavements of Westminster, Maryland, selling mouthwateringly delicious muffins -- blueberry, peach cobbler, black bottom, burnt sugar, apple dumpling, to name just a few -- and soon became a local favorite, known around town as "the Muffin Lady."

Just when business started booming, however, the Carroll County Health Department told her to pack up her wagon because she didn't have a "department-approved commercial kitchen." Well, Linda wasn't going to take that lying down! She fought back, and the whole community came out to support her. Finally the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department offered her the use of their state-approved kitchen, where she still bakes muffins today.

In The Muffin Lady,  Linda shares the legacy of riches that was handed down by her mother. These gifts are useful both inside and outside the kitchen -- recipes whose ingredients include sugar, flour, perseverance and pride.

About this title

Review

Do you know the Muffin Lady? If you don't, you're in for a treat. The Muffin Lady is part cookbook, part inspiration; it simultaneously tells the story of "Muffin Lady" Linda Fisher and offers up her mouth-watering recipes for muffins, cakes, breads, and cookies. The food is great, but the story is spectacular. In 1995, Fisher--recently divorced and the custodial parent of a young child--found herself looking poverty in the eye. She responded by borrowing from the "inheritance" her mother had left her: a very versatile pancake recipe that she used to bake cakes, muffins, cupcakes, and quick breads. She loaded these delicacies into a Radio Flyer wagon and sold them door to door, eventually making enough money to stay off of welfare. When the local health department tried to shut her down, it precipitated a community uprising: dozens and dozens of letters began pouring into newspaper editorial pages, an anonymous donor gave her the money necessary for a license, and the volunteer fire department offered her free use of their health department-approved kitchen to prepare her goods. Along with recipes for tasty treats such as Pecan Loaf, Marble Walnut Brownies, Blueberry Upside Down Squares, and the baked good that started it all--the World Famous Pancake Batter Muffin--readers can share Linda Fisher's legacy of riches handed down by her mother.

About the Author

Meet Linda Fisher, the Muffin Lady of Westminster, Maryland. She's a single mother whose delicious recipes for muffins -- and for a life lived with pride, dignity and values -- make The Muffin Ladyÿ so much more than just a cookbook.

Linda has been up and down and up again, but her mother's teachings (as well as her simple pancake recipe, which Linda adapted into the secret behind her mouthwatering muffins), provided her with everything she needed.

Replete with fabulous recipes as well as anecdotes, reminiscences and the wit and wisdom of Linda's inimitable personality, The Muffin Lady is a book for all of us who have ever licked a batter-covered spoon, waited impatiently for the oven timer to ring or carried with us throughout our lives the lessons and wisdom of our mothers.

Edition details

• Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0060392460
• ISBN 13: 9780060392468
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224