Tag: StClair

Posted on

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
Posted on

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
Posted on

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
Posted on

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.”

Posted on

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
Posted on

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.

Posted on

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
Posted on

1978 – Gloria Pitzer Presents: Eating Out at Home

1978 Sep – Gloria Pitzer Presents: Eating Out at Home

1978 – Gloria Pitzer Presents: Eating Out at Home a cookbook written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – this cookbook, sometimes referred to as “Book 3” or the “Yellow Book”, had a 52-page, 8.5″ x 11″ format filled with her famous make-at-home recipes for imitating fast foods, restaurant dishes and grocery products. In addition, Gloria includes background information along with her usual witty & humorous stories, food-for-thought and over 240 index listings. It sold for $5 per copy. Over the years of various printings, the cover changed slightly, but the title remained the same. The masthead originally read “Secret Recipe Report”, but it changed to “Cookbook Secrets” in later printings, The sub-title, “A Recipe Portfolio”, was also added in the later printings.

Fun Facts:

  • Sub-Titles: “Book 3”, “A Recipe Portfolio”
  • Printings: 12+
  • Years: [Summer] 1978 – Sep 1981+
  • Recipes: 227 listed in the first printing
  • Pages: 52
  • Size: 8.5″ x 11″
  • Cover: Paperback
  • Original Price: $5.00
  • Used copies on eBay: $22.97
  • Used copies on Amazon: $12.50
  • ISBN: unknown
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT

Comments (as seen on Amazon):

5 out of 5 stars – Five Stars – Adella Holbeck (Ft. Morgan, CO); July 20, 2014 [Verified Purchase] – “So happy to find this cook book.” https://www.amazon.com/Eating-Cookbook-Secret-Recipe-Report/product-reviews/B000JCATQY/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews

Posted on

1977 – The Second Helping of Secret Recipes by Gloria Pitzer

1977 (Jul) – The Second Helping of Secret Recipes by Gloria Pitzer

1977 – The Second Helping of Secret Recipes was written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (National Homemakers Newsletter, St. Clair, MI). NO LONGER IN PRINT – this cookbook is sometimes referred to as “Book 2”, “2nd Helpings” or “The Green Book”. Over the many years and various printings, the cover changed slightly, as did the size and price of the book. The size changed from the original 80-page, 5.5″ x 8.5″ format with 178 recipes listed to a 52-page, 8.5″ x 11″ format with 209 recipes listed. The original title remained the same, but the sub-titles also changed over the years (as seen in the various cover photos shown above and below); while the masthead of “Secret Recipe Report” was added in 1978 and, later, changed to “Cookbook”. Starting in 1978, Gloria’s son, Michael Pitzer, illustrated many of the later printings of this book.

1978 Nov – 2nd Helping of Secret Recipes by Gloria Pitzer
1981 May – 2nd Helping of Secret Recipes by Gloria Pitzer

Fun Facts:

  • Sub-Titles: “Book 2”, “Of Fast Foods & Other Favorites, Imitated by Gloria Pitzer”, “The Junk Food Junkie Rides the Range Again”, “The Fast Food Cookbook, Taking the Junk Out of Junk Food”
  • Printings: 12+
  • Years: July 1977 – August 1981+
  • Recipes: 178 listed originally; 209 listed in the larger size
  • Pages: 80 originally; 52 in the larger format
  • Size: 5.5″ x 8.5″ originally; 8.5″ x 11″ shortly after the 1st printing
  • Cover: Paperback
  • Price: Originally $3.00 for the small format; the larger format sold for $5 each
  • Used copies on eBay (larger format): $10.51
  • Used copies on Amazon (larger format): $13.99
  • ISBN: unknown
  • NO LONGER IN PRINT

Comments (as seen on Amazon):

5 out of 5 stars – Did you ever wonder? By Lanah – June 13, 2013 [Verified Purchase] – “I love good food! And I love to share good recipes, it’s a shame this lady isn’t still publishing because this is a gold Mine of great information. I would recommend this to anyone who appreciates good food and a sense of humor!” https://www.amazon.com/Second-Helping-Secret-Recipes-Favorites/product-reviews/B0006WJIQ4/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_top?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews

Posted on

THE HISTORY OF “Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes Newsletter”

1974 – Gloria Pitzer’s Homemaker’s Newsletter – written, illustrated and published by Gloria Pitzer (Happy Newspaper Features, Pearl Beach, MI) – started as “a monthly compendium of fact and fancies”, as Gloria referred to it, adding that it was “the almost-magazine…not quite a newspaper…that can build into a book.” NO LONGER IN PRINT – this was, originally, a small, 3-ring binder-style publication, printed in a 5.5” x 8.5” format with 12 back-to-back pages packed full of “food for the table and food for thought”, household tips, humorous quips and cartoons; plus, a “Readers Swap Shop”. The newsletter originally sold for $0.50 per issue, as well as $2.75 for a 6-month subscription or $5 for a 1-year subscription.

Over the decades, the newsletter evolved with the changing times – the name slightly changed a few times, as well as the size and number of issues printed in a year; plus, of course, the cost grew with inflation too. By 1976, it was being published monthly in an 8.5” x 11”, 10-page format and sold for $0.50 per copy or $6 for a 1-year subscription. By 1978 the name slightly changed to Gloria Pitzer’s National Home News Magazine, though the format remained the same; and it sold for $7 per 1-year subscription.

In 1980, Gloria Pitzer revised the newsletter again, getting right to the heart of cooking – reducing the number of ingredients to comply with your time and, most of all, your budget. While the format size remained the same, the name was changed to “Gloria Pitzer’s Monthly Cookbook of Secret Recipes”. Each copy contained about 100 recipes and sold for $1 per issue, or you could subscribe for a full year.

Starting with the Summer issue of 1984 (Jul-Aug-Sep), the newsletter was published quarterly under the name Gloria Pitzer’s Cook’s Quarterly, still in an 8.5” x 11” format with up to 20 pages full of “Food for Thought” & “Thoughts on Food”; plus, household hints, short cut cooking tips and recipes for imitating favorite restaurant dishes and grocery products at home. It sold for $10 per 1-year (4 issues) subscription or $2.50 for a single issue.

By 1986, the newsletter was being published every 2 months under the name Secret Recipes Newsletter. Still in the 8.5” x 11” format, the 12-page publication boasted at least 50 recipes per issue along with humorous stories, “Food for Thought” and news on nutrition, restaurants and product reviews. It continued to sell for $10 for a 1-year subscription of 6 issues (or $2 per single copy) until 1989, when the price was raised to $12.50 for a 1-year subscription (or $2.50 per single copy). Then, in 1991, the price went down to $12 per year and $2.50 for single copies. The bi-monthly newsletter was temporarily retired after the March-April 1994 issue.

However, in 1995, the publication was back by popular demand under the name Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes Quarterly for $16 per year (4 issues) with 20 pages per issue; each issue featured at least 75 recipes for imitating famous restaurant dishes and grocery products at home; plus, more “Food for Thought”, household hints and cooking tips. But, by 1997, the publication went back to the bi-monthly, 12-page format under the old name, Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes Newsletter and sold for $16 per 1-year subscription (6 issues) or $2.75 per single copy.

In January 1998, the newsletter went back to being a monthly publication with the name shortened to Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes. The 8.5” x 11”, 8-page format was still full of “Food for Thought”, household hints and tips, famous restaurant recipes and grocery products you can make at home. During its last year of publication, it sold for $18 per 1-year subscription or $2 per single copy. It was permanently retired, after 27 years, with the December 2000 issue.

“Every issue is like getting together for coffee with friends!” SM – Gloria Pitzer

We’d love to hear from anyone who still has old copies of her original newsletters! Please write to us at: [email protected]