16 years ago today! The Complete Baking Cookbook was released by George Geary

On this day in 2007, My 4th book came out. The Complete Baking Cookbook. Some may not know, but we, as authors, do not have the last say in the titles of the books we write. I wanted it titled George Geary’s Big Ass Book of Baking. It was a no-go. The book is out of print, but my publisher says it is not (Go try finding a NEW copy). I have three copies for sale. Below is the link. All of the pictures in the book are my favorite baked goods.

Here is the link to purchase the softcover book. LINK

SoCal Apple Country and 29 years ago! by George Geary

Twenty-nine years ago tomorrow (October 6th), I received a call from Joe Crea, the Food Editor at the time of the OC Register Newspaper. It was my first story with the newspaper since losing my job at Disneyland. He wanted to do a story about my tours of Oak Glen, CA, the Apple country, and a recipe for my apple pie with crust. Also, to include a picture. (This is before digital). He needed it the next day. I ran to the produce department of my local grocery store and, donned an apron, had the produce guy (who I didn’t know) snap one picture in the deli area (not sure why there). I ran to the 1-hr photo and hoped the picture turned out. Here it is:

Here is the story and recipes for the Spice Apple Pie and Crust. I even, 29 years later, taught it in North Dakota last week. OC Register Story Link

APPLE SPICE CRUST AND PIE

Robinsons Gardens Beverly Hills Event! October 11th by George Geary

Join the Friends of Robinson Gardens as we explore

LA’s Landmark Restaurants

In his latest book, award winning chef & best-selling author George Geary takes us on a tour of famous Los Angeles restaurants from throughout the 20th century. Hear the stories of how these classic restaurants – places where Angelenos rather than celebrities dine – got their start.  George’s love letter to landmark restaurants will surely bring back memories to anyone who has dined at these fabled establishments.

Join us for this tribute to Los Angeles and its famous cuisine. 

 

When:                  Wednesday, October 11, 2023

    10:30 mimosas, 11:00 am lecture, 12:00 pm lunch

Where:                 VRG Pool Pavilion

Cost:                     $95 members / $105 non-members

To register:          Click here or call the FRG office 310.550.2068 (space limited, register early!)


George will have books available for purchase.


Rose Petal Sauce by George Geary

If you love the aroma of Roses, you will love the flavor of this sauce. It is easy to make and store in the fridge for over a year. Uses: Drizzle on ice cream; use 1 cup for a batch of ice cream, brush a vanilla cake with the syrup or add 2 tablespoons to a glass of champagne.

Organic Pesticide Free Roses. I get mine at the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Tuesday at Lilys Eggs @smlilyseggs

Bring 2 pounds of sugar and 2 pints of water to a boil.

Wash roses with cool water, pull petals apart, and place into boiling sugar mixture. Bring to a boil and stir.

Place lid on, fire off, and let seep for 2 hours.

Drain liquid off of petals.

Place into jars, cool before placing lids on top

The rose petal sauce will last up to one year if you do not contaminate the mixture. When you use it, please pour what you need into a bowl. Do not use anything like a spoon in the jar. Reseal. If you see mold forming on the top, use something you should not have. Enjoy!

Double Chocolate Sandwich Cookies by George Geary

Today Hurricane Hilary touched down here in Southern California. Some areas had damage, some like mine.. a little rain. I decided to make these cookies. Come on! Rain means cookie-baking time! Plus it has been over 100F for days and today in the 70s.

Sometimes you have to use a hand beater. You can see the ripples in the cream!

Happy 100th Birthday Estelle, Golden Girl Cheesecake by George Geary

Estelle Getty

July 25th, 1923

She was the 4th Golden Girl from the multi-Emmy award-winning show from the 1980s. Estelle was known as the eldest “girl” on the show, thou she was really the youngest. Many hours of the makeup chair to age her for the Friday night taping. Originally in the pilot, she was only going to be a recurring character, she was a hit with the audience, so Estelle was written into the show as a permanent cast member.

Before the Golden Girls, Estelle was a theatrical actress. Her career blossomed later in her life with the role of Sophia Petrillo. Estelle was one of the first actresses in Hollywood to advocate during the start of the AIDS epidemic when the government would not speak the words. Her nephew Steven Bruce Scher passed away at the young age of 29, and many of her fellow actors succumbed to the horrible disease. In his honor, Estelle helped open a hospice in Steven’s hometown in South Carolina. To this day, is is still helping people.

Estelle’s final resting place is in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, July 25th of this year would have been her 100th birthday.

Many would agree that the 5th character on the show was a cheesecake. Many evenings and sometimes in the middle of the night, the girls would tackle the days’ problems or celebrate while eating a cheesecake. I have posted this before, and here it is again, one of the recipes for the cheesecakes from the show. Besides the dessert, I also created several wedding cakes, sandwiches, pasta sauces, and various foods cooked in the kitchen. Have a slice for Estella’s Birthday!

Golden Girls Cheesecake Cooling. Recipe

June 28th, 4th of July Picnic Celebration by George Geary

Here is my yearly 4th of July segment. Red White and Blue. Try these recipe for your celebration next week. Yearly, a few of us go to a “small town” America. We fly into an area and do a driving trip. This year is hot and humid Savannah Georgia. Follow on Instagram!

Watermelon Hibiscus Spritzer

A refreshing flavorful spritzer for you to enjoy. Recipe

Pulled Pork Sliders

Like I said in the segment, you can use any prepared folk pulled meat, even a prepared roasted chicken. Enjoy these flavorful sliders

Recipe

Red, White and Blue Potato Salad

You can find the three colors of potatoes at your local grocery store.

Recipe

Herb Roasted Corn

Try this flavorful corn, you wont even need butter!

Recipe

4th of July Berries!

Retro Raspberry Butter Cookies by George Geary

Lately I have been looking at 1960s Food magazines and recipe for cookies. Life was simple and the cookies were part of Americana. I update the recipes to include butter instead of “oleo”. I also added vanilla extract for added flavor. Here are Raspberry Butter Cookies adapted from a 1959 Woman’s Day Magazine. I hope you enjoy!

Retro Raspberry Butter Cookies

Woman’s Day December 1959

George Geary Tours of France, New Orleans and Holiday Flower Market of LA by George Geary

I just announced my three most popular tours. France, New Orleans, and the Flower Markets of LA. Very limited room on my tours. Check them all out. Below are links to the brochures and information. If you need more information, email ggeary@aol.com Or check out the tour page LINK

LA's Landmark Restaurants on FOX5 San Diego ~ Recipes and Show! by George Geary

Today I was down at the station promoting my latest book LAs Landmark Restaurants. March 1st, I am doing a signing and talk in La Jolla, at Warwick’s Books. Below are the recipes and a link to watch the show.

Here is the complete segment: LINK

Little Joes’ Pasta Sauce Recipe

Here is the link for March 1st, in La Jolla LINK

February 13th, Valentine's Day Dinner for under $25 by George Geary

I love a challenge! Could I put together a Valentine’s dinner for two, Wine, Main, Sides and dessert for under $25. Also, it has to be worthy of a date and anyone could make without too many cooking skills. Plus I have to do it on camera in 4-5 minutes. I few of the items are purchased but “Doctored” up. If someone made this meal for you I am sure you would be in love!

Desert: Raspberry Chocolate Brownies: Recipe

Citrus Dill Salmon in Heart Parchment Paper: Recipe

Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Olive Oil : Recipe

Here is the recipe for Herbed Rice: Recipe

Cost Breakdown

LAs Landmark Restaurants ~ Celebrating the Legendary Locations Where Angelenos Have Dined for Generations by George Geary

Whew! After delays, I finally have in my hands my 15th book! LAs Landmark Restaurants. You can order it below the picture, and I will personalize it!

2018, LA’s Legendary Restaurant book was released, 60 restaurants with about 120 recipes. This book was initially called LA’s Golden Era Restaurants, focusing on places stars hung out in the 30s and 40s, most gone. Pictures were difficult to come by, and stories were boring or had hardly any information on them; I then opened the book's scope to include additional locations, but some were still open. You can still purchase one with the link below.

My newest book is not a “Part 2” per se, but a continuation of Restaurants of LA, another 60 locations, I focus more on the families that started them) and are still mainly in business. And Yes, I include recipes! Enjoy!

National Gingerbread Day Dec 12th FOX5 San Diego by George Geary

This week marks 29 years in Morning TV. From my first segment on Live in LA with Cindy Garvey and Steve Edwards in Los Angeles on KCAL9 to National Mike and are NBC, to coast to coast, currently on WGN-TV Chicago, NBC ~ Tampa and home station of FOX5, San Diego. During COVID we transitioned to broadcasting from my two home kitchens in Palm Springs and Corona, CA. For about a year after I filmed outdoor segments and have been back in the studios for a while now. Every time I walk into the studio and get on the set I think of that first time in 1993 making Blueberry Muffins. Today was National Gingerbread Day. Here are the recipes from the show from San Diego.

1990s Disneyland Gingerbread Houses

WGN-TV Thanksgiving Easy Salads! LIVE in Studio by George Geary

Thursday November 10th, LIVE in Chicago at the WGN TV Studios. Mid-Day news. During COVID I taped or did my segments across the country from my home kitchens in Palm Springs or Corona, CA. At first, it was simpler and easy. I didnt have to make as much food. But the energy is not the same. I will be in the studio LIVE on Thursday. You can watch the replay here: LINK

If you are interested in my books, check them out at www.georgegeary.com

October 24th FOX5 San Diego ! Hey Pumpkin! by George Geary

You will want to serve an array of pumpkin desserts and a flavorful drink this fall. All of these are neighbor and kitchen tested! I will be on FOX5 San Diego 9am Hour Monday, October 24th. If you are not in the viewing area, here it is below: