Did you know that Manhattan Boro President Scott Stringer (who does not cook) came out with his own cookbook?
Stringer -- who gathered 65 recipes from East Harlem entrepreneurs and community activists -- is the named author of "The Go Green East Harlem Cookbook," and has even contributed a few tips of his own on "healthy take-out." (Isn't that an oxymoron?)
Here's the BP 's press release on the book (and dates of upcoming signings):
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer today announced the publication of the Go Green East Harlem Cookbook¸ a compilation of healthy recipes contributed by East Harlem restaurateurs and community residents. The cookbook is part of the Borough President's Go Green East Harlem health initiative.
The bilingual four-color cookbook, which features healthy recipes for appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and – yes – desserts, will be available in bookstores and online, and will be given out free of charge to many residents of East Harlem.
Other "Go Green" initiatives to date include a new asthma center, the planting of hundreds of street trees in East Harlem, a new farmers' market on 106th Street, and a "green building" conference for developers, planners and community advocates that Stringer hosted in October. Go Green East Harlem is led by a steering committee of neighborhood residents, civic, environmental and business leaders, public health advocates and elected officials.
"We conceived Go Green as both a series of steps to improve residents' health in East Harlem, and as a model for other environmentally neglected neighborhoods," said Borough President Stringer. "The excitement and ownership that residents feel about the cookbook comes from the sense that we truly can improve our lives through the choices we make – from what we eat to how we advocate for crucial changes like better air quality."
Go Green Steering Committee member Dr. Adam Aponte, whose advice on weight loss is featured in the cookbook, said, "Some parts of East Harlem have more fast food restaurants than supermarkets or produce stands. As a result, at North General Hospital we've starting seeing seven year olds who are developing diabetes. That is a fully preventable tragedy, one that this cookbook directly takes aim at."
Each recipe featured in the book was reviewed by experts from the Integrative Nutrition Institute, a leading nutrition school, and is coded with helpful information such as "dairy free," "sugar free," and "whole grains." Among more than 65 people who contributed recipes are Mt. Sinai Hospital President Dr. Burton Drayer (Golden Gazpacho); Ginger Executive Chef Wei Ziong Hu (Fish and Watercress Soup with Glass Noodles); Hilda Candy Vasquez and Sandra Vives-Ramos of the 116th Street Block Association (Spanish Stew Soup); Harlem Tea Room owner Patrice Clayton (Tea Time Salad); Community Board 11 Chair Robert Rodriguez (Honey Baked Chicken); Wagner Tenants' Association President Katie Harris (Cream of Fruited Chicken); Community Board 11 Vice Chair Debbie Quinones (Limbel del el Caribe); and Settepani Bakery owners Leah Abraham and Nino Settepani (Sicilian Fava Bean Stew).
Borough President Stringer, who does not cook, contributed tips for choosing healthy takeout. Kysha Harris, of the cooking consultant firm Schop!, contributed a section on setting up a kitchen.
The cookbook includes color photos of contributors and East Harlem locations taken by volunteer photographers from the International Center of Photography.
Proceeds from the sale of the Go Green East Harlem Cookbook will go to the Community Fund for Manhattan, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization established by the Office of the Manhattan Borough President to support public/private partnerships that benefit residents of Manhattan and the City of New York.
The Go Green East Harlem Cookbook is available online at Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=go+green+east+harlem&z=y
Here are some upcoming book signings and discussions
BRONX
Date and Time: Saturday, February 23rd at 2:00 pm.
Location: Barnes & Noble, 290 Baychester Avenue.
MANHATTAN
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 27th at 6:00 pm.
Location: El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street.
BROOKLYN
Date and Time: Thursday, February 28th at 7:00 pm
Location: Community Bookstore, 143 Seventh Avenue near Garfield Place.
QUEENS
Date and Time: Saturday, March 15th at 2:30 pm.
Location: Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike near Utopia Parkway.
