Local author Shelley Garrett releases new cookbook for charity

(ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX – May 7, 2016) Rockwall resident and sixth-generation Texan Shelley Garrett has been collecting beloved recipes from family, friends, church ladies and co-workers for more than 30 years. After years of copying the 100+ recipes into 3-ring binders for friends and newlyweds, Garrett decided to publish the collection and give all the proceeds to the Kaufman Children’s Emergency Shelter.

In GOOD FOOD: Recipes That Keep Them Coming Back, Garrett shares comfort-food favorites that keep her family and friends coming back for more. This foolproof collection boasts 63 full-color photos and promises to make the world a tastier place.

“GOOD FOOD contains only the good stuff,” Garrett says, “the recipes that our kids consistently beg for and the dishes that my friends insist that I bring to the potluck.”

This culinary collection contains Garrett’s own award-winning white chili (aka, Thunderpants) and some local celebrities’ prized recipes: Prissy Chapman’s Bread Pudding and Debbie Knight’s Fudge Pie. Easy-to-follow recipes also include family favorites, such as Big Daddy’s Wilted Lettuce Salad and Nana’s Cornbread Dressing.

Co-author of The Phytopia Cookbook and Dallas food writer Kim Pierce said, “Shelley Garrett’s wonderful benefit collection brings together family favorites anchored in the Texas kitchens of her upbringing and well-seasoned with husband Terry’s additions. The recipes are proof positive that food doesn’t have to be fancy or difficult to make to taste wonderful.”

Garrett has been involved with the Kaufman Children’s Emergency Shelter for the past eight years and chose them to be the beneficiary of her cookbook proceeds because LaReta Williams and her staff work tirelessly to care for the children of all 254 counties in Texas, including Rockwall and Hunt counties. The shelter takes in 100-200 children each year who are displaced from their families due to abuse, neglect or abandonment, giving them food, shelter and affection until a more permanent home can be found.

“Miss LaReta has dedicated her life to comforting these babies who are often brought to her traumatized in the middle of the night,” Garrett said, “And I recently found out that Miss LaReta is going through a serious health crisis, so I really wanted to help.”

GOOD FOOD: Recipes That Keep Them Coming Back is available for purchase on Amazon.com and at Garrett’s book-signing events. The next book signing is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at Corner Street Pub, 2702 Lee St. in Greenville.

Strawberry Cake

1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed

1 pkg. white cake mix

6 oz. pkg. strawberry gelatin

½ cup cooking oil

4 eggs

½ cup water

Magic Frosting

½ stick butter, room temperature

2 cups powdered sugar

12 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed and drained

Drain and puree the strawberries. Combine all ingredients with mixer until smooth. Pour into a greased 9”x13” glass baking dish and bake at 355 degrees for 38 minutes. Let the cake cook in refrigerator for an hour or two before frosting. Mix the Magic Frosting in a blender or food processor until it is creamy smooth and then slather on top of cake. Refrigerate, and prepare to be amazed. We are eternally grateful for Delores Wherry for bringing this slice of heaven into our lives.

Your #1 source for positive hometown stories, entertainment and events.