Farm Recipes and Food Secrets from the Norse Nook: The Midwest's #1 Roadside Cafe

Myhre grew up in farm country, and learned at an early age how to cook for farmers and field hands. In 1973, she opened the Norske Nook cafe in Osseo, Wis. Since then, she has been hailed by food critics and national magazines for providing some of the best regional/road cooking in the U.S. Myhre's book is a loving tribute to American family farm life, a life that has given way, to a large extent, to the auctioneer's block and large corporate farms. Like any chef, Myhre learned by doing. She relies a good deal on instinct as well as on strictly mandated measurement and cooking times. She provides many tips and suggestions; even a novice cook should have be able to make much of these well-organized recipes. You won't find any call for raddiccio or walnut oil. Likewise, microwaves and frozen foods have no place in Myhre's kitchen. Her dishes are simple, made from the freshest ingredients, and when you put them together, you'll definitely use your bare hands from time to time, without need or benefit of intermediaries. If you succumb to Myhre's tales of the farm, you may even find yourself making your own pancake syrup, or canning vegetables and jams. At the very least, she'll have you turning out creamed chicken and sour cream raisin pie, and maybe raising a cow or two in the living room. (Mar.)