#27. The Story of the Recipe Book Lucie Porges Made for Pauline Trigère

During the interview with Lucie Porges' daughters: Claudia and Vivette, I discovered the tale of a special recipe book that Lucie had made for Pauline. After collaborating with Pauline for 15 years, finding new gift ideas had become difficult. One day, Lucie spotted a beautiful cork-covered blank notebook in a bookstore. Aware of Pauline's love for cooking, she had an idea to collect recipes from Pauline's acquaintances.

It took more than a few years and the final outcome was special. It even landed a beautifully written article by journalist Virginia Lee Warren, which was published in the New York Times on December 23, 1972 [HERE]. In the article, Virginia recounted how Lucie dedicated five years to assembling this highly personalized gift by sending the blank book to each of Pauline’s friends, who in turn contributed a special recipe with their unique touch. What made this cork-covered cookbook so special wasn't just its charming appearance, but the precious recipes it contained from Pauline's inner circle. Each recipe told a story of its own, offering a glimpse into the unique tastes and personalities of Pauline's friends. Notable contributors included renowned restaurateur Charles Masson from the famed restaurant Le Grenouille (Pauline's preferred dining spot), illustrator Joe Eula, as well as various writers and artists. The recipes ranged from a simple “Le Clafoutis aux Cerises” to the whimsical and delightful “Orange Juice,” which cleverly doubled as an invitation to visit.

Sadly, the book is missing today.  It is believed one of Pauline's friend might have forgotten to return it. However, the concept of gathering recipes persisted, leading Lucie to compile a second book from her close friends. This second book features various recipes from Pauline herself: her famous "Spaghetti Pauline", along with charming illustrations of garlic, mushrooms, and spaghetti, as depicted in the photos from this blog. These recipes are more than just a collection of ingredients and instructions – they tell a story of friendship and shared experiences.

I hope one day I will find the original book that Lucie made for Pauline.  The research continues.