Heirloom Kitchen Worldwide Giveaway – Quick Bites

Enter our worldwide giveaway to win an autographed copy of Heirloom Kitchen: Heritage Recipes and Family Stories from the Tables of Immigrant Women by Anna Francese Gass.

Last year, I did a review and promotion for one of my favorite books Heirloom Kitchen: Heritage Recipes and Family Stories from the Tables of Immigrant Women. Please click over to that review for more details on this wonderful book. In September of 2019, we featured this title in our EYB Cookbook Club where you can see a gorgeous photo of a member’s Bea’s cheese and dill Danish. I made Anke’s beef stew (Anke’s goulash), another member made Cherie’s bulgur and parsley salad (Cherie’s tabbouleh) and there were other dishes shared in the Cookbook Club.

Today, we are sharing a Quick Bites interview with Anna. This book would be an ideal holiday gift this season and in that vein Anna is offering one copy of her book autographed in our giveaway below.


Anna Francese Gass grew up in a small town on the Rhode Island shore, before moving to New York City to study at New York University. After a stint in the corporate world, she decided she was much happier in the kitchen instead of an office cubicle. She quit her fast-paced sales job and enrolled in Culinary Arts at the French Culinary Institute (now ICC) to follow her dream to cook professionally. Soon thereafter, she found her niche in the test kitchens of Martha Stewart Living, Whole Foods, and Mad Hungry.

Currently, she is a regular contributing editor and recipe tester for Fine Cooking Magazine, Food52, Chowhound, and contributing writer for MSN.com. She is currently celebrating the release of her first cookbook, Heirloom Kitchen – Heritage Recipes and Family Stories From The Tables of Immigrant Women.

She has created a successful blog and Instagram.


Q: What first triggered your interest in cooking? What was your first cooking memory?

Cooking with my mother and observing her in the kitchen was truly what piqued my interest in food and especially food through culture. We ate dishes from my mother’s childhood, the dishes she learned in Italy before immigrating to the US. We have always tethered our family who are far away through food and customs.

Maybe not my first, but I remember making a lasagna with my mother and sister when we were very young. We were so proud of it, my dad snapped a picture of us, posing with the finished dish. It makes me laugh to think how happy we were to take a candid with a lasagna.

Q: If you had to describe your cooking style, what would it be?

Family dishes with a history are my favorite dishes to prepare. Certain dishes carry tradition and also a story. I love making food that means something to my family or to the person who taught me the dish.
Food binds us and I love the magic in that.

Q: Are you a cookbook collector? If so, tell us about your collection. The number of books, favorite genre, favorite author? What you look for in a cookbook?

I have too many cookbooks to count. I love buying cookbooks and reading them like you would a novel. The author is truly pouring their heart into the pages of the book through food and I enjoy reading about dishes and how they came to be. I love books that highlight a specific cuisine because I feel l learn the most from books that concentrate on one style of cooking and ingredient profile. But really, I love them all!

Q: What is the best part of your job? Do you sometimes feel like working with food all day keeps you from wanting to get creative in the kitchen?

I enjoy going into the kitchen with a random set of ingredients and see what I can come up with, on the fly. Working with food all day actually makes me more creative in the kitchen. I bore easily and am always ways to make something new – especially when I’m trying to transform leftovers into something my kids will eat!

Q: What is your go-to for a quick dinner?

I love olive oil fried chicken cutlets, pounded thin, marinated, and breaded with Progresso breadcrumb. My kids love it and it brings me right back to my childhood table.

Q: What projects are you working on?

Right now, due to the Heirloom Kitchen tour being cut short, I’m just working online to continue to promote the book and get the word out. I am also still doing freelance food writing for various magazines and online sites.

Special thanks to the author who is offering an autographed copy of her book in our worldwide giveaway. Entry options include answering the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post and this forum post. Once you log in and enter your member name you will be directed to the next entry option – the blog comment. After that, there are additional options that you can complete for more entries. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on  January 11th, 2021.

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173 Comments

  • rchesser  on  October 1, 2020

    Marina’s stuffed cabbage.

  • sarahawker  on  October 1, 2020

    Bea’s Serbian pita (Bea’s burek): meat filling

  • Kristjudy  on  October 1, 2020

    Ginas meatballs

  • hbakke  on  October 1, 2020

    Maria’s stuffed vinegar peppers

  • matag  on  October 1, 2020

    Nelly’s pastitsio

  • mcrimmins  on  October 1, 2020

    Maria’s Eggplant Patties

  • DarcyVaughn  on  October 1, 2020

    Tsilia’s pork and beef dumplings

  • jr0717  on  October 1, 2020

    Susanne’s apple donuts!

  • lean1  on  October 1, 2020

    Nelly’s spanakopita

  • JudithCocks  on  October 1, 2020

    Bea’s walnut Danish

  • Shelley.b  on  October 1, 2020

    Tilisa’s gefilte fish

  • Mariarosa  on  October 1, 2020

    Shari’s walnut and pomegranate stew

  • cbrowne  on  October 1, 2020

    Chizuko’s yosenabe!

  • TheWhiteThali  on  October 1, 2020

    I love Anna’s recipes. I have tried Shiela’s Arroz Con Pollo, lipsmacking yummy

    -Monica

  • lauriesk  on  October 1, 2020

    Lisetta’s chocolate-hazelnut spread

  • Nidhib  on  October 2, 2020

    Stacey’s tablet (page 81)

  • Siegal  on  October 2, 2020

    Marinas stuffed cabbage

  • Saddlerscott  on  October 2, 2020

    Stuffed cabbage

  • JRumi  on  October 2, 2020

    Bea’s Hungarian paprikash

  • ravensfan  on  October 2, 2020

    Maria’s eggplant patties

  • sgreiff  on  October 2, 2020

    Emily’s apple “pancakes” (Emily’s apple blinchiki)

  • miggsy  on  October 2, 2020

    Lisetta’s chocolate-hazelnut spread

  • dbranigan27  on  October 2, 2020

    I would try Nelly’s “church festival” spanakopita .

  • Roosta  on  October 2, 2020

    Nikki’s cashew chicken (Nikki’s poul ak nwa)

  • Sanyo12  on  October 2, 2020

    Monika’s perfect pierogies 

  • hrk  on  October 2, 2020

    Bea’s cheese and dill Danish

  • t.t  on  October 2, 2020

    Safoi’s “gazelle horn” almond cookies (Safoi’s kaab el ghazal)

  • LaurenE  on  October 3, 2020

    Ginas meatballs

  • roxlet  on  October 3, 2020

    The eggplant patties

  • Mydoglotus  on  October 3, 2020

    Gina’s rice balls (Gina’s arancini)

  • RickPearson54  on  October 3, 2020

    Ginas Meatballs

  • KevinSeattle  on  October 3, 2020

    I would make Anke’s German potato salad

  • infotrop  on  October 3, 2020

    Irene’s cheese hand pie

  • luccio  on  October 3, 2020

    Gina’s Bocconotti Calabrese

  • janv  on  October 3, 2020

    Janet’s pork tamales

  • JenThomas318  on  October 3, 2020

    Monika’s perfect pierogies

  • MaggieMaggieMae  on  October 3, 2020

    Maria’s Eggplant Patties

  • thecharlah  on  October 3, 2020

    Kay’s crab curry

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  October 4, 2020

    I want to make Nelly’s “church festival” spanakopita.

  • MarciK  on  October 4, 2020

    Marina’s “herring under a fur coat” (dressed-herring casserole)

  • mpdeb98  on  October 4, 2020

    Shari’s walnut and pomegranate stew

  • youngsvnnhrs  on  October 5, 2020

    Safoi’s chicken tagine

  • imaluckyducky  on  October 5, 2020

    Bea’s walnut Danish

  • nvernon  on  October 5, 2020

    Amina’s koshary

  • MeerkatSilverleaf  on  October 6, 2020

    Suzanne’s Apple Donuts

  • Elve56  on  October 6, 2020

    Lisetta’s chocolate-hazelnut spread My granddaughter is such a chocolate hazelnut spread fan so we could make it ourselves.

  • debbiehb  on  October 6, 2020

    Marina’s poppy seed cake

  • jd5761  on  October 6, 2020

    Shiela’s Arroz Con Pollo

  • maci234  on  October 7, 2020

    Tsilia’s pork and beef dumplings

  • Dendav  on  October 7, 2020

    Ginas meatballs

  • Natlovesgib  on  October 7, 2020

    Emily’s apple “pancakes” (Emily’s apple blinchiki)

  • kennethjohngilmour  on  October 9, 2020

    Nelly’s “church festival” spanakopita found on page 66

  • Steben  on  October 9, 2020

    Bea’s walnut Danish

  • Tabby72  on  October 9, 2020

    I’ll make Maria’s Eggplant Patties.

  • Elve56  on  October 9, 2020

    Maria’s Eggplant Patties, a new way for me with eggplant

  • Pamyoungvb  on  October 9, 2020

    Angela’s ropa vieja

  • FrenchCreekBaker  on  October 9, 2020

    Monika’s chocolate-enrobed spice cake with plum butter filling

  • hisforhome  on  October 9, 2020

    Safoi’s “gazelle horn” almond cookies (Safoi’s kaab el ghazal)

  • ElizM  on  October 10, 2020

    Gina’s arancini

  • bopper  on  October 10, 2020

    Marina’s Poppy Seed Cake

  • lgroves  on  October 10, 2020

    Marina’s stuffed cabbage

  • Isis1981uk  on  October 11, 2020

    Lisetta’s chocolate-hazelnut spread

  • oreganoca  on  October 11, 2020

    Anke’s German Potato Salad

  • gemini_seven  on  October 12, 2020

    Shobhana’s coconut chutney – scrumptious!

  • eyupitsjohn  on  October 12, 2020

    Sheila’s Panamanian chicken and rice looks amazing 🙂

  • swankysweetpotato  on  October 12, 2020

    Shiela’s spiced quick bread

  • LauraJon  on  October 14, 2020

    The chocolate hazelnut spread for sure!

  • lpatterson412  on  October 14, 2020

    Emily’s apple pancakes

  • RuthHarwood  on  October 16, 2020

    Monika’s perfect pierogies

  • lindsayjean  on  October 16, 2020

    Emily’s Ukrainian deviled or “stuffed” eggs

  • LeMinou  on  October 17, 2020

    Ginas meatballs

  • virjeania  on  October 18, 2020

    Emily’s sour cherry sauce

  • MelW66  on  October 18, 2020

    Monika’s perfect pierogies

  • clairew137  on  October 18, 2020

    Marina’s stuffed cabbage.

  • gilmonster  on  October 19, 2020

    Bea’s walnut danish

  • Jennifer7  on  October 19, 2020

    I would make the marinated chicken cutlets

  • Pizzacat13  on  October 20, 2020

    I’d try Chizuko’s cucumber salad

  • Lora724  on  October 20, 2020

    Tina’s Chinese New Year dumplings.

  • calguire  on  October 21, 2020

    Soon’s glass noodle stir-fry (Soon’s japchae)

  • ceejayen  on  October 21, 2020

    Tsilia’s beef and beet stew (Tsilia’s borscht)

  • debra24  on  October 22, 2020

    Ginas meatballs

  • kmn4  on  October 23, 2020

    Amina’s koshary

  • monasli  on  October 25, 2020

    Monika’s piergies

  • Dannausc  on  October 26, 2020

    Susanne’s apple donuts

  • chezlarios  on  October 26, 2020

    Magde’s pork adobo

  • EmilyR  on  October 26, 2020

    Maria’s eggplant patties

  • Shelmar  on  October 26, 2020

    Bea’s walnut danish

  • katiefish  on  October 26, 2020

    Susanne’s apple donuts

  • Onlyhumanjelly  on  October 26, 2020

    Tsilia’s pork and beef dumplings (Tsilia’s Siberian pelmeni)

  • shahedc  on  October 26, 2020

    Maria’s Eggplant Patties

  • banba1  on  October 27, 2020

    Lisetta’s chocolate-hazelnut spread

  • pluckypuddin  on  October 27, 2020

    Susanne’s apple donuts, perfect for this time of year!

  • Belene  on  October 27, 2020

    Marina’s “herring under a fur coat” (dressed-herring casserole)

  • elisabeta  on  October 27, 2020

    Marina’s stuffed cabbage.

  • yoeydavis  on  October 27, 2020

    I love the sound of Suzanne’s apple doghnuts.

  • foodie16  on  October 27, 2020

    Morgana’s beans with fried bacon & eggs (Morgana’s feijao tropeiro)

  • dzm  on  October 28, 2020

    Marina’s stuffed cabbage

  • southerncooker  on  October 28, 2020

    Soon’s grilled beef short ribs (Soon’s galbi)

  • Lijstjesmeisje  on  October 28, 2020

    Lisetta’s chocolate-hazelnut spread

  • MrRichTea  on  October 28, 2020

    Marina’s Poppy Seed Cake

  • Leonard5854  on  October 28, 2020

    Nikki’s cashew chicken (Nikki’s poul ak nwa)

  • LauraAbenes  on  October 29, 2020

    Chocolate hazelnut spread sounds pretty yummy, especially for someone who likes Nutella, but thinks it could be better homemade

  • tpresent  on  October 29, 2020

    Amina’s Koshary!

  • vhfvhf  on  October 29, 2020

    Irene’s cheese hand pie

  • Blackeyedsusans  on  October 29, 2020

    Gina’s Italian hand pies

  • bookmark77  on  October 29, 2020

    Marinas stuffed cabbage

  • NaomiH  on  October 30, 2020

    Tsilia’s pork and beef dumplings (Tsilia’s Siberian pelmeni)

  • bookmark58  on  October 30, 2020

    Ginas meatballs

  • BMeyer  on  October 31, 2020

    pastitisio

  • artthecat  on  October 31, 2020

    Maria’s eggplant patties

  • tubbyj  on  October 31, 2020

    Tsilia’s pork and beef dumplings

  • JessHeilman  on  November 2, 2020

    Gina’s Italian hand pies

  • linmulholland  on  November 3, 2020

    german potato salad!

  • puddiemum  on  November 4, 2020

    Lisetta’s Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

  • ruthdenton  on  November 6, 2020

    Lisetta’s chocolate hazelnut spread

  • Yatota74  on  November 6, 2020

    Bea’s Hungarian paprikash

  • xmasfloweringcactus  on  November 6, 2020

    Gefilter fish – prompted great memories of a friend’s Dad’s gefilte fish!

  • chasteph  on  November 6, 2020

    Cherie’s tabbouleh for me

  • DFed  on  November 6, 2020

    The Apple Doughnuts since I have a lot of apples lying around currently!

  • Laura1419  on  November 7, 2020

    Marina’s stuffed cabbage

  • Lucytricker  on  November 8, 2020

    Marinas stuffed cabbage sounds yummy!!

  • WendySmith3  on  November 8, 2020

    Susanne’s Apple donuts

  • jimmyadon05  on  November 10, 2020

    Tina’s Chinese New Year dumplings

  • silversand  on  November 11, 2020

    Janet’s refried beans

  • KitKatCat  on  November 13, 2020

    Bea’s Hungarian paprikash

  • Roxy12  on  November 14, 2020

    Sheila’s arroz con pollo

  • RSW  on  November 16, 2020

    Lisetta’s chocolate-hazelnut spread

  • Ishtar  on  November 16, 2020

    Angela’s sweet potato pudding

  • chantiecew  on  November 19, 2020

    Definitely the chocolate hazelnut spread!!

  • jscamb22  on  November 19, 2020

    Gina’s meatballs sound delicious!

  • lilmiztam22  on  November 21, 2020

    Maria’s eggplant patties

  • rubytue  on  November 22, 2020

    I want to try “Magda’s fried pork spring rolls (Magda’s lumpia) “

  • Li2  on  November 23, 2020

    The apple donuts!

  • aligiraffe  on  November 23, 2020

    Maria’s eggplant patties

  • ckbkcollector  on  November 23, 2020

    Emily’s apple “pancakes” (Emily’s apple blinchiki)

  • sequoia55  on  November 24, 2020

    Susanne’s apple donuts!

  • Velvet_Queen17  on  November 24, 2020

    Shobhana’s lentil dal

  • MsGia  on  November 24, 2020

    I would definitely try making the chocolate hazelnut spread! I don’t like to buy the store bought stuff due to the ethical aspect so this would be awesome!

  • jrhymer  on  November 24, 2020

    I ‘d make Susanne’s apple donuts first x

  • pkinsella  on  November 24, 2020

    I like spicy meatdishes and tomatoes, so I’ll go for Gina’s meatballs with tomato sauce (Gina’s brodo di mamma e polpette)

  • jluvs2bake  on  November 25, 2020

    Susanne’s apple donuts (Susanne’s appelkoken)

  • sheridarby  on  November 25, 2020

    Maria’s Eggplant Patties

  • Sand9  on  November 26, 2020

    Anke’s German potato salad x

  • Chilledout  on  November 26, 2020

    I’d like to make Nelly’s pastitsio

  • mrspale  on  November 27, 2020

    Maria’s eggplant patties

  • GeorgeWW  on  November 27, 2020

    Susanne’s apple donuts (Susanne’s appelkoken) sound amazing!

  • DimensionAEB  on  November 27, 2020

    Chizuko’s yosenabe!

  • orchidlady01  on  November 27, 2020

    Magda’s fried pork spring rolls (Magda’s lumpia)

  • fionajk42  on  November 27, 2020

    Shari’s walnut and pomegranate stew

  • Twiddle  on  November 27, 2020

    Susanne’s apple donuts

  • andyszym  on  November 27, 2020

    Anke’s German potato salad

  • starzine  on  November 28, 2020

    Gina’s tagliatelle.

  • ljsimmons  on  December 4, 2020

    Gina’s rice balls (Gina’s arancini)

  • Karla123  on  December 4, 2020

    Nikki’s rice with djondjon mushrooms (Nikki’s diri djondjon)

  • kitchen_chick  on  December 4, 2020

    Amina’s koshary

  • mga  on  December 4, 2020

    Rocio’ ceviche

  • biro  on  December 4, 2020

    Soon’s bibimbap

  • Shelley.b  on  December 4, 2020

    Emily’s sour cherry sauce

  • kerrin1976  on  December 4, 2020

    Lydia’s chicken and vegetable noodle stir-fry

  • ChicagoJen  on  December 5, 2020

    Haydee’s fried sweet plantains (Haydee’s plátanos maduros)

  • Acha_77  on  December 5, 2020

    Angela’s Ropa vieja

  • JEWGAL777  on  December 5, 2020

    Gina’s Arancini ( Rice Balls)

  • LadyBliss  on  December 6, 2020

    Stuffed Vinegar Peppers (and all the others)

  • auntietina  on  December 16, 2020

    Susanne’s rolled filled beef (Susanne’s rollfleisch)

  • Luro496  on  December 16, 2020

    Meatballs!

  • Emwitting  on  December 20, 2020

    Maria’s eggplant patties

  • v.t  on  December 22, 2020

    Marina’s poppy seed cake

  • choppergirl  on  December 24, 2020

    Bea’s Hungarian paprikash

  • Kduncan  on  December 28, 2020

    Tina’s Chinese New Year dumplings

  • CatsintheKitchen  on  December 30, 2020

    Anke’s goulash

  • shellee  on  January 3, 2021

    Emily’s sour cherry sauce

  • xmasfloweringcactus  on  January 8, 2021

    Lisetta’s Sardinian Rabbit – to remind me of wonderful Sardinia.

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