People sure love The Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins including plenty of Food Network hosts. Ina Garten credits the authors for "chang[ing] the cookbook world forever." Giada De Laurentiis calls it her "go to source… for quintessentially American food." And a co-host of Eat, Shrink and Be Merry cites it as one of her favourite cookbooks.

I think the book has resonated with so many people over the years because it was the first cookbook to make gourmet cooking accessible and fun. The Silver Palate Cookbook was also one of the first to feature sidebars, tips and anecdotes down the side. Although I hear the good times may be over for the two authors, who apparently don't speak to each other. It may have something to do with Julee Rosso's huge advance on her first solo cookbook, which received some of the worst press ever heaped on a cookbook. (Read about it here.)

Flipping through the book, I was impressed by all the non-mainstream ingredients the book calls for. I'm thinking capers, olives and crème fraiche probably weren't hot-ticket items in 1982 when the book was first published. In fact the authors mention how, back then, it was a scramble to find shallots for their Manhattan catering shop, also called Silver Palate.

How many of you have the original Silver Palate cookbook on your shelves? Do you have a favourite Silver Palate recipe? Is it the famous Chicken Marbella, the much-loved Carrot Cake or the popular Tarragon Chicken Salad? Please post them below.

The contest is now closed. Congrats to Rhiannon D. of Elmvale, Ont and Linda G. of Ottawa. Your books are on their way.

CONTEST: I also have two copies of the updated, full-colour 25th anniversary edition of The Silver Palate Cookbook (Workman Publishing) to give away to the 15th and the 30th person who correctly emails (not posts!) the answer to the question below using the contact form. Use the subject line "Silver Palate."

QUESTION: Which Podleski sister cites The Silver Palate Cookbook as one her favourite cookbooks? ( Here's a hint.)