The Hungarian Settlement Historical Society recently released a 283-page cookbook comprised of 675 recipes, 135 contributors and helpful cooking tips throughout. The book is available for $20 each.
The Hungarian Settlement Historical Society recently released a 283-page cookbook comprised that was five years in the making. The $20 books can be purchased at the Museum, which is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays and second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. They can also be ordered online by visiting www.hungariansettlementmuseum.com. Pictured, from left, are Alex Kropog, Royanne Kropog, Julia Ourso and Juliana Roberson.
ALBANY -- A cookbook five years in the making is finally ready for anyone needing some extra help in the kitchen.
The Hungarian Settlement Historical Society, which is dedicated to the historical preservation of the Hungarian community in Albany, Louisiana, recently released its first-ever cookbook.
The cookbook, which features several hundred unique dishes from more than 100 contributors, is now on sale for $20 each (not including a $3 postage fee for one book or a $5 postage fee for two books).
Books can be purchased at the Hungarian Museum, located at 27455 La. Hwy. 43, during regular hours of operation. They can also be ordered online by visiting www.hungarianmuseum.com.
“There’s something for everyone in there,” said Alex Kropog, president of the Hungarian Settlement Historical Society and one of the book’s organizers.
Featuring Hungarian dishes as well as a wide variety of American recipes from local chefs, the “Hungarian Settlement Historical Society Cookbook” is comprised of approximately 283 pages, 675 recipes and 135 contributors as well as many helpful cooking tips throughout.
It begins with sections explaining the history of the Hungarian Settlement — the largest rural settlement of Hungarians in the country — and another on paprika, which the book fondly refers to as “the favorite spice of Hungary.”
“That’s a mainstay of Hungarian dishes,” Kropog said.
The cookbook is divided into nine different sections: Hungarian; Appetizers and Beverages; Soups and Salads; Vegetables; Main Dishes; Breads and Rolls; Desserts; Meats; Miscellaneous. There is also an Index of Contributors and an Index of Recipes.
The book’s cover — a drawing of the Hungarian Settlement Museum encircled with the Hungarian poppy flower and peppers — was designed by local artist Irene DeMars, while the text in the book was put together by a group of volunteers.
It was a process Juliana Roberson certainly won’t forget.
“It was like I had to cook every one of those recipes myself,” Roberson said with a laugh. “Some were handwritten, so you had to reorganize the recipes so people could understand. It was a lot of typing. Then [the Kropogs] came back and edited it about five times.”
Books can be purchased at the Museum from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays, and the second Saturday of each month.
For more information on the “Hungarian Settlement Historical Society Cookbook,” call (225) 294-5732 or (225) 610-7475. Information is also available by emailing either alexkropog1896@gmail.com or roykropog@gmail.com.
