recipes – Derby Public Library's Blog

The Blog Wants to Know: Sept. 2026

Did you know that September is National Potato Month? To celebrate the glorious solanum tuberosum, we’re talking all things taters in this month’s blog post. Grab the salt and the ketchup because our staff are dishing on their crispiest potato opinions!

What’s your favorite form of potato? French fries, chips, mashed, fried, boiled, scalloped? What do you think is the best way to eat potatoes? Feel free to share your favorite brands, restaurants, or recipes too!

Tami, Office Manager: “Sweet potato, baked, butter and brown sugar. Its dessert on a plate!”

Dawn S., Youth Services Coordinator: “I like mashed potatoes the best or a good potato salad (I miss my mom’s potato salad. I’ve tried to duplicate it but it’s only similar to hers.) I’ve never been a big French fry person. If I’m going to eat French fries, they have to be the steak fries (Red Robin), and I enjoy dipping them in mayo. If they are fried, I will eat sweet potato fries. A good baked potato with just butter is good, too. For chips, I prefer Lays BBQ chips or Ruffles.”

Annalise, Public Support Services: “For me, it’s a tie between seasoned fries and scalloped potatoes. Both have their place! I’ll eat fries year-round as a pick-me-up food, while scalloped potatoes I usually make in the fall and winter as a warm comfort food.”

Maycie, Public Support Services: “This is the hardest question you’ve ever asked us. I simply cannot pick a favorite because I love them all too much. Seriously, I’d go feral for some potatoes. Like Dolly said “every diet I’ve ever fell off of has been because of a potato… I never met a spud I didn’t like.” So, if I had to pick it’d probably be a tie between tater tots and a good homemade mash with a lil’ bit of skins left in and lots of butter and salt.

My recommendation is that if you’ve never had a plate of fresh fries at Fizz’s Burgers & Bottles to drop what you’re doing right now and go get some. “

Kathy, Public Support Services: “Has to be fries. Who doesn’t like those!”

Kameron, Public Support Services: “Twice baked for me!”

Megan, Outreach Coordinator: “LOVE me some Chick-Fil-A waffle fries! I could eat them every day of the week!

I also think Shelia makes the BEST baked potatoes I have ever eaten! She cooks them so perfect every time!”

Kristy H., Public Support Services: “Funeral potatoes, sadly!”

Brianna, Public Support Services: “My favorite form of potato is Irish Colcannon Potatoes! They are mashed potatoes mixed with sauteed cabbage and bacon. I think a lot of people eat them around St. Patrick’s day, but I like them all year round. They are especially great on top of cottage pie! Here’s the recipe.

Miranda, Youth Services Assistant: “My by far favorite is Thanksgiving mashed potatoes and gravy. I make the mashed potatoes with butter, whole milk, and salt. The gravy I make with the turkey juices, flour, and pepper. Ugh, is it Thanksgiving yet?”

Hannah, Assistant Director: “There is no wrong way to eat potatoes.”

Tabbitha, Youth Services Senior Assistant: I had no idea September was National Potato Month, but it is truly a cause for celebration! It’s almost impossible to pick just one favorite because potatoes are the ultimate culinary chameleon, but if I have to choose, crispy French fries take the top spot. Close behind, though, is a rich, buttery, garlic-infused bowl of mashed potatoes—especially when they’re paired with a good gravy.

As for the best way to eat them? It entirely depends on the mood:

For comfort food: Loaded baked potatoes topped with all the toppings.

For a snack: Classic kettle-cooked potato chips (sea salt and vinegar is a top-tier flavor).

For a crowd: Scalloped potatoes baked until the cheese is bubbling and golden on top (perfect for family-get-togethers).

Ashley, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloguing: I don’t think there is a wrong way to eat potatoes! They are delicious in all the forms. Lately my favorite potatoes have been the Trader Joe’s roasted potatoes with peppers and onions from their freezer section. I love to combine them with some scrambled eggs and top it with Chalula. If you are up in Bradley Fair, stop by and pick up a bag! You won’t regret it.

Now it’s your turn! What’s your favorite way to enjoy the delectable potato? Let us know in the comments below, and Happy National Potato Month!

What’s Ashley Reading?: Cocked and Boozy

Cocked and Boozy by Brooke Barbier

First line: Without thinking about it too much, conjure up an image of Benjamin Franklin–whatever comes to mind.

Summary: In Brooke Barbier’s new book she takes a look at how alcohol shaped the early years of our country. Using primary sources, she delves into the importance of alcohol in policy making, networking and financing the new nation. Spanning the years after the French and Indian War to the presidential election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800, we learn how “drink helped transform British subjects into Americans.” At the end of each chapter, Barbier provides a recipe for an eighteenth century cocktail that is adapted for modern audiences.

My Thoughts: When most people think of the American Revolution and drinks, you would assume their first thought would be tea. I know I do. After reading Cocked and Boozy I have a completely new view of what helped drive the founding fathers.

One of the most controversial taxes on the American colonies was on sugar and molasses. Since it affected the production of rum and small beer, it caused riots and increased smuggling. These drinks had become part of the everyday lives of the population. Adding the extra expense became too much for the colonists.

However, the production costs were not the only way alcohol played an important part in our nation’s founding. Many gatherings of the founding fathers happened in taverns. Celebrations for the ratification of the Constitution featured copious amounts of beer, cider and brandy. The amount of wine Thomas Jefferson purchased from France each year is astounding. George Washington started to produce thousands of gallons of whiskey at his plantation after leaving office. There is no denying that alcohol played an important part in our nation’s birth.

If you were looking for an unconventional book about the American Revolution then I would steer you to this one! It was a fascinating read about the little discussed part of our history. It also will might give you some inspiration for your Fourth of July party plans!

The Blog Wants to Know: Nov. 2025

We’re heading into the season that celebrates family, gratitude, and most importantly, food!

What’s something that you’d like to cook or bake but have never tried? Perhaps this is a family recipe, something you’ve seen in a cookbook, or even something you’ve seen on a baking or cooking show. What are some dream recipes that you’d like to try if you had the time/tools/ingredients, etc.?

Hannah, Assistant Director: I’ve always wanted to try making croissants from scratch. I’ve seen videos of bakers making them and always marvel at how jiggly they are when they are fully proofed. But the skill and time it would take to laminate the dough intimidates me!

Ashley, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloguing: I would love to make a really good Cornish pasty. I have done steak and stout pies, Yorkshire puddings and shepherd’s pie but I have yet to try my hand at the pasty. My dad made some several years ago that were excellent. I had several pasties on my last trip to London and they are just the perfect on-the-go meal plus being very filling.

Alyssa, Adult and Teen Services Coordinator: My boyfriend loves New York-style cheesecake so I really want to try making that for him some time, but I’m super intimidated by all of the steps and the delicacy of it. I’m also a big fan of Indian food so I’d love to try making my own vegetable curry!

Baya, Youth Services: I’ve always thought that one day I’ll try making macarons. They’re delicious gluten-free cookies made with almond flour. The fillings can come in so many different flavors between two airy cookies. My favorite so far has been peach. Macarons have to be made just right, but it’s really satisfying to watch the process.

Now it’s your turn! What’s something that you’ve always wanted to try making? Let us know in the blog comments below!

The Blog Wants to Know: Dec. 2024

We’ve got a new monthly blog series coming your way featuring recommendations, insights, and fun facts about Derby Public Library’s remarkable staff!

For our first installment, the blog has two questions for our staff:

“What are some of your favorite holiday movies?”

Sheila, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloging: “I have two favorite holiday movies, White Christmas and The Family Stone.“

Maycie, Public Support Services: “Christmas doesn’t start in my house until we watch Christmas with the Kranks!”

Hannah, Youth Services Coordinator: “Love Actually, Home Alone, Scrooged, Spirited, Die Hard (I will die on this hill…)”

Tabbitha, Youth Services: “My all-time favorite Christmas movie has to be Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”

Eric, Library Director: White Christmas

Tami, Office Manager: A Christmas Story

Alyssa, Adult and Teen Services: “I’ve been watching The Preacher’s Wife with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington every year since I was little, and Jim Carrey’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas is epic!”

Megan, Outreach Coordinator: “My top 2 favorite Christmas movies are Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story.”

Ashley, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloguing: “Scrooge starring Albert Finney and Sir Alec Guinness”

Miranda, Youth Services “My favorite Christmas movies are A Christmas Story and It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Shane, Public Support Services: “My favorite is the Grinch (Jim Carrey version) and I also love Krampus (2015)”

Grace, Youth Services: “Small One (a 1978 Don Bluth classic that still makes me cry every year, even though it’s only 26 minutes long. It’s on Disney+ now, and I get to watch it whenever I want! We owned the Small One book adaptation that came with the story on tape, so you could read along) and A Charlie Brown Christmas (I play the album on vinyl every year when decorating my tree)

“Does your family have a special holiday recipe or food that they make in a unique way?”

Shane: “My mom makes lasagna every year for Christmas. It is a tradition that started with her as something easy to make for dinner, now it doesn’t feel like Christmas without it.”

Miranda: “Our passed down family recipe is the stuffing. Why is stuffing only a holiday food? Its too good!”

Ashley: “Our family has a traditional Mennonite meal of Verenika (or Vereniki), German sausage and zweiback. I have taken over the preparation of this meal from my Oma (German for grandma). Verenika is a cottage cheese dumpling that is either boiled or fried then topped with gravy. Zweiback is a traditional Russian Mennonite dinner roll.”

Megan: “We have a long standing Christmas tradition with my side of the family to have breakfast for dinner then open presents.”

Tami: “As far as food, I have a favorite special food every year, but it’s not one I make. I have wonderful neighbors who also volunteer at the library, John and Sheila Maksimowicz. Every year they make baklava and I have been blessed to receive it for more than 5 years. I think they are making it this week!”

Alyssa: “For the New Year, my mom makes her homemade Cajun black eyed peas, rice, and cornbread as a symbol of good luck. The recipe comes from my grandparents who grew up in Louisiana.”

Eric: “As far as food goes, my family has been having a Swedish (immigrant influenced) dinner for years. This includes fruit soup, potato sausage, pickled herring, lutefisk, and ostkaka.”

Tabbitha: “While my family doesn’t have unique family recipes, we do have a tradition of baking holiday treats and cookies around Christmas. We package them in cute containers and give them to loved ones.”

Hannah: “My aunt makes these candies with peanut butter and fritos. It sounds a bit weird, but they are SO good.”

Maycie: “No festive gathering in my moms house is complete without the family’s secret potato casserole…. Legally I can’t tell you what’s in it.”

Now it’s your turn, readers! What are some of your favorite holiday movies and does your family have any special holiday recipes or traditional foods?

Happy Holidays!!

Monica’s Musings: The Mythical Cookbook

The Mythical Cookbook by Josh Scherer

“Food has never, in the history of the world, been solely about fueling the body. Food is culture, it is tradition, and above all, it is pure freakin’ happiness on a plate.
― Josh Scherer, The Mythical Cookbook

Summary: From the larger-than-life team behind the internet’s most-watched daily show, Good Mythical Morning , and culinary spinoff, Mythical Kitchen , a one-of-a-kind cookbook with 100 recipes for living a Mythical, and delicious, life. When it comes to food—the good, the gooder, and the shockingly not un-good—Mythical Chef Josh, Rhett & Link, and the Mythical Kitcheneers have just about done it all. They’ve taste-tested, mythbusted, and dreamed up the most inventive, delicious, and ridiculous foods imaginable, all for your eyeballs to eat on-screen.

But, since your mouth does a much better job of eating than your eyeballs, this flavor-packed cookbook is bringing the best of the Mythical extended universe into your kitchen. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, inside these pages you’ll find fan favorites and new inspirations. Filled with one-of-a-kind recipes, profound life advice, candid photos, and at least one weird story about an angry toaster that’s come to life, The Mythical Cookbook will help you cook deliciously, eat happily, and live Mythically. And have no fear while their on-screen creations push food to the limits, the recipes in this book are delicious and doable for real life in real kitchens. Bring extra napkins to the table—you’ll need them.

My Opinion: Recently, I have fallen back into the world of Good Mythical Morning. While I was on maternity leave, you could walk into my home any time of the day to see Rhett and Link on my TV, keeping me company. Over the last three months, I have binged the show to the point where I know the crew by name! Safe to say, I was excited to get my hands on The Mythical Cookbook.

I have found such fun recipes like fruity pebble pancakes, bacon cheeseburger lasagna, Doritos locos calzone, and so many more! Not only does this cookbook have unconventional recipes, it is very aesthetically pleasing! Overall, this is a cookbook that is useful and fun. I might have to buy a copy to keep in my kitchen.