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1985 – Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Fast-Food Recipes

1985 Mar – Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Fast-Food Recipes

1985 – Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Fast-Food Recipes (aka: “Book 6”) was written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – this cookbook is a reprint of the original, 1st printing in August 1976, having 120-pages with a 5.5″ x 8.5″ format. It boasts 458 index listings and sold for $6. Secret Fast-Food Recipes was Gloria’s return to restaurant dishes, focusing on the “fast food” industry again and developing more recipes for making famous “fast food” products at home. Over the many years and various printings, the cover changed slightly, as did the size and price of the book – the size changed in 1996 (around the 11th printing) to a 60-page, 8.5″ x 11″ format with 288 recipes listed and sold for $8.75 per book.

1999 Dec – Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Fast-Food Recipes

This cookbook covers everything “from soup to nuts”, imitating franchise foods and snack products, candies, coleslaw, drinks, desserts, soups and salads – imitating big name chains as well – using wholesome ingredients. This is the book that has outsold all others! Every recipe that you ever wanted to try that imitates a famous franchise food or fast food chain menu item is included in this 120-page collection.

Fun Facts:

  • Sub-Titles: “Book 6”
  • Printings: 21+
  • Years: Aug 1976 – Nov 2000+
  • Recipes: originally 458 listed; larger size had 288 listed
  • Pages: originally 120; larger size had 60
  • Size: originally 5.5″ x 8.5″; reformatted around 1996 (11th printing) to 8.5″ x 11″
  • Price: originally $6.00 for the 1985 reprint, then, $7 in Fall ’90; the larger size sold for $7.50 in Spring ’95, then $8.75 a year later. By Nov 2000, it was $9.75 per book.
  • Used copies on eBay: $119.99 for the older, smaller layout
  • Used copies on Amazon: $679.99 for the newer, larger layout
  • ISBN: 1-886138-02-8 for the smaller format & 1-886138-03-6 for the larger format
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT

Comments:

5 out of 5 stars – An amazing, FUN COOKBOOK, too bad it’s out of print
ByPistols Fanon October 28, 2008
My mother bought me this cookbook about 20 years ago, and I can tell you this is one of the greatest cookbooks I have ever owned, and certainly the FUNNEST! In this wonderful cookbook you will find all of the “Secret Sauces” to your favorite hamburger joints (some of them long out of business, but the taste can live on!), such as “Burger Chef’s” secret sauce, how to make a “Big Chef”, How to make a “Super Chef”, how to make chicken that tastes exactly like KFC, Popeyes, or CHURCH’S fried chicken. This is one of the finest collections of recipes that you’ll ever come across, so don’t hesitate, don’t even think about it, you will cherish this book forever. My copy is in great shape still, and I use it all the time, and on the internet when someone talks about a recipe from some restaurant chain they used to go to years ago and asks for the recipe, I am OFTEN able to look it up and post it for them!!!!!!! Good luck in tracking this one down though!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2NIRZ6F5LBZO5/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B000XDSI26

 

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1984 – Cook is a 4-Letter Word! by Gloria Pitzer

1984 Nov – Cook is a 4-Letter Word! by Gloria Pitzer

1984 – Cook is a 4-Letter Word! was written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – at 120-pages with a 5.5″ x 8.5″ format, this nifty little book is full of well-balanced meals for the unbalanced cook! It also has goodies to take the monotony out of mealtime and turn the task of cooking into a treat – rather than a treatment! If you like to laugh while cooking or cook while laughing, this is the book for you! This book is also for the “I-don’t-cook-much…” cook! It’s the kind of book you can enjoy reading without ever having to turn on the stove! The recipes are basic and wonderful – for when you don’t have the time, energy nor extensive supply of ingredients – and the conversation that each recipe includes should leave you with a complete understanding of how to confront any challenge in the kitchen!

Fun Facts:

  • Sub-Titles: “Recipes to Swear by Instead of At”
  • Printings: 2
  • Years: Nov 1984 & Mar 1989
  • Recipes: 447 listed in 1st printing; 437 listed in 2nd printing
  • Pages: 120
  • Size: 5.5″ x 8.5″
  • Price: 1st printing – unknown; 2nd printing – $7
  • Used copies on eBay: $29.99 for 2nd printing, plus another book
  • Used copies on Amazon: none found
  • ISBN: unknown
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT
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1984 – Gloria Pitzer’s Mixed Blessings – Recipes and Remedies

1984 Mar – Gloria Pitzer’s Mixed Blessings – Recipes and Remedies

1984 – Gloria Pitzer’s Mixed Blessings – Recipes and Remedies was a limited edition cookbook that was written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – this cookbook, with 274-pages and a 6” x 9” format, combines the best of breads and desserts, main dishes, salads, soups and microwave recipes that give you motivation, as well as complete, detailed formulas for foods that should take the monotony out of mealtime and create sensible shortcuts to success – not because you HAVE to cook, but because you WANT to!

The remedies cover those ordinary problems that that concern us, living in an age where it seems nobody cares about anybody. We talk about caring, working out relationships, recognizing happiness and treating life like a banquet. We also discuss why children need guardian angels, as our society rushes them into adolescence and adulthood, without the wisdom that only experience can provide.

Fun Facts:

  • Sub-Titles: “Recipes and Remedies”
  • Printings: 1+
  • Years: March 1984 –1985 (sold out)
  • Recipes: 729 listed
  • Pages: 274
  • Size: 6″ x 9″
  • Original Price: $12
  • Used copies on eBay: $19.95 (selling as part of a 2-book set)
  • Used copies on Amazon: $45.98
  • ISBN: unknown
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT
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1983 – Gloria Pitzer’s Christmas Card Cook Book

1983 (Dec) – Gloria Pitzer’s Christmas Card Cook Book

1983 – Gloria Pitzer’s Christmas Card Cook Book was a limited edition that was written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – this little recipe booklet had a 22-page, 5.5″ x 8.5″ format filled with interesting customs and history tidbits about the Hanukkah and Christmas holidays, humorous readings and 36 recipes. Perfect for gift-giving and stocking stuffers, these booklets sold for $2 per copy.

Fun Facts:

  • Sub-Titles: “Food for Thought and Thoughts on Food”
  • Printings: 1
  • Years: Dec 1983
  • Recipes: 36
  • Pages: 22
  • Size: 5.5″ x 8.5″
  • Original Price: $2.00
  • Used copies on eBay: none found
  • Used copies on Amazon: none found
  • ISBN: unknown
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT
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1983 – The Joy of Not Cooking Any More Than You Have To by Gloria Pitzer

1983 Nov – The Joy of Not Cooking Any More Than You Have To by Gloria Pitzer

1983 – The Joy of Not Cooking Any More Than You Have To was written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – this cookbook has a 240-page, 6″ x 9″ format, filled with more than 700 recipes for making more of your favorite restaurant dishes or grocery products at home, in much less time, using fewer ingredients and at a minimum cost. There’s also an array of Gloria’s trademark humor, inspirational stories and “Food-for-Thought” tucked in the pages as well.

Fun Facts

  • Sub-Titles: “The All-Purpose Fast Food Cookbook”
  • Printings: 3+
  • Years: May 1983 – Oct 1984+ (sold out by May 1987)
  • Recipes: 750 Listed
  • Pages: 240
  • Size: 6″ x 9″
  • Price: $11.00
  • Used copies on eBay: none found
  • Used copies on Amazon: $13.72 & $32.79
  • ISBN: unknown
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT
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1983 – Reliable Recipes for Reluctant Cooks by Gloria Pitzer

1983 Oct – Gloria Pitzer’s Reliable Recipes for Reluctant Cooks

1983 – Reliable Recipes for Reluctant Cooks was written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – having a 45-page, 5.5″ x 8.5″ format, this limited edition Cookbooklet, as Gloria called it, is filled with a collection of 3, 4 and 5 ingredient recipes (with options) that are totally reliable – sufficient to satisfy even the most reluctant cook; along with Gloria’s trademark humor, inspirational stories and “Food-for-Thought”. The recipes are quite basic, but the options are endless for expanding them into fancier dishes or different flavorings than for which the original recipes call. Plus, other popular favorites as well!

 

Fun Facts

  • Sub-Titles: “3, 4, 5 Ingredient Recipes with Options, and Other Favorites”
  • Printings: (1) Limited Edition
  • Years: October 1983
  • Recipes: 134 Listed
  • Pages: 45
  • Size: 5.5″ x 8.5″
  • Price: $3.00
  • Used copies on eBay: none found
  • Used copies on Amazon: none found
  • ISBN: unknown
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT
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1982 – Gloria Pitzer’s Better Cookery Cookbook

1982 May – Gloria Pitzer’s Better Cookery Cookbook

1982 – Gloria Pitzer’s Better Cookery Cookbook – was written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – this cookbook, having a 6” x 9” format with 400 pages, is a unique assembly of nearly 1,000 make-at-home, make-alike recipes of Gloria’s famous fast foods, restaurant dishes and grocery products collection. In addition, Gloria includes various historical information, illustrations and photographs along with her usual wit, food-for-thought and humorous stories.

This book was actually inspired from a much needed vacation that Gloria and Paul took from their business in 1979, after completing and publishing Book 5, taking their 2 minor daughters, Laura and Cheryl, with them. They stayed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island where they just so happened to be filming “Somewhere in Time” with Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer. The Pitzers were lucky enough to meet the three movie stars at breakfast one morning; and, while Gloria was smitten with Christopher Plummer, in the back of her mind she was already taking notes for what would become a special section of this cookbook – about the elegant dishes served at the Grand Hotel.

However, in 2015-2017, it was re-written by Gloria and her daughter, Laura Emerich, to bring it to a new generation. In January 2018, a few days before Gloria passed away, it was re-published under the name, Gloria Pitzer’s Cookbook – The Best of the Recipe Detective, which is available, for sale, at $20.99 each through the publisher, Balboa Press, at https://www.balboapress.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001062252

Fun Facts:

  • Sub-Title: “The Best of The Recipe Detective” and “Famous Foods from Famous Places”
  • Printings: 10
  • Years: May 1982 – December 1988
  • Recipes: over 700 listed in the index
  • Pages: 400
  • Sizes: 6″ x 9″
  • Price*: $15
  • Used copies on eBay: $35.95
  • Used copies on Amazon: $34.77
  • ISBN: unknown
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT – 1982-1988 versions
  • However, it was re-published in January 2018 under the name, Gloria Pitzer’s Cookbook – The Best of the Recipe Detective; and is available, for sale at $20.99 per book, through the publisher, Balboa Press, at https://www.balboapress.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001062252

Comments (as seen on Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/GLORIA-PITZERS-BETTER-COOKERY-COOKBOOK/dp/B002PPULKC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1548119009&sr=8-2&keywords=gloria+pitzer+better+cookery+cookbook#customerReviews

5 out of 5 stars – Better Cookery Cookbook – Bonnie Case – December 25, 2012 – “Bought this book 25 years ago, loved it so much when I spotted it on Amazon I bought one for my daughter and daughter in law. Favorite is Bob Evans Gravy. Now have another new daughter in law – would order again.”

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1980 – The Secrets of Homemade Groceries

1980 – The Secrets of Homemade Groceries by Gloria Pitzer

1980 – The Secrets of Homemade Groceries cookbook was written, illustrated and self-published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – this cookbook, sometimes referred to as “Book 5” or the “Brown Book”, had a 52-page, 8.5″ x 11″ format with over 370 index listings and sold for $5 per copy.

There were 5 books in this series for Secret Recipes, the 1st was published in 1976 and another each year after that, through 1980. Each book averages about 275 recipes developed by Gloria Pitzer – Private Investigator of Secret Recipes… Except for “Book 5”, which deals exclusively with making supermarket products at home. This unique cookbook includes the principles of canning and freezing foods, of making your own mixes, sauces and seasonings at a tremendous savings over buying them.

Fun Facts:

  • Sub-Titles: “Book 5”
  • Printings: 3
  • Years: Jan. 1980 – Aug 1981
  • Recipes: 371 listed in 3rd printing
  • Pages: 52
  • Size: 8.5″ x 11″
  • Original Price: $5.00
  • Used copies on eBay: none found
  • Used copies on Amazon: $12+
  • ISBN: unknown
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT
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1979 – Gloria Pitzer’s Dieter’s Digest

1979 (Dec) – Gloria Pitzer’s Dieter’s Digest

1979 – Gloria Pitzer’s Dieter’s Digest booklet was written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – this little booklet had a 24-page, 5.5″ x 8.5″ format filled with dieting information, inspirational and humorous stories and healthy recipes. It sold for $1 per issue.

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1979 – Gloria Pitzer Presents Top Secret Recipes Al’a Carte

1979 (Sep) – Gloria Pitzer Presents Top Secret Recipes Al’a Carte

1979 – Gloria Pitzer Presents Top Secret Recipes Al’a Carte cookbook was written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). Some of the art work in this book was also done by 2 of Gloria’s 5 children, Mike Pitzer & Debbie Pitzer (now, Hamilton). NO LONGER IN PRINT – this cookbook, sometimes referred to as “Book 4” or the “Orange Book”, had a 52-page, 8.5″ x 11″ format and sold for $5 per copy. The recipes in this book were uniquely laid out like an encyclopedia, in alphabetical order; so, there was no index included in the 1st printing. However, one was added in later printings with over 370 index listings. Over the many years and various printings, the cover was changed slightly, but the title always remained the same, along with the original masthead, “Cookbook”.

Fun Facts:

  • Sub-Titles: “Book 4”
  • Printings: 3
  • Years: Sep 1979 – Aug 1981
  • Recipes: 377 listed in 3rd printing
  • Pages: 52
  • Size: 8.5″ x 11″
  • Original Price: $5.00
  • Used copies on eBay: $22.99
  • Used copies on Amazon: $12
  • ISBN: unknown
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT