L.A.'s Original Farmers Market Cookbook: Meet Me at 3rd and Fairfax

by JoAnn Cianciulli, Karl Petzke (Photographer)

From its humble beginnings in 1934, L.A.'s Original Farmers Market has become one of the leading destinations in Southern California. And this comprehensive cookbook celebrates the food, people, and history of this Los Angeles landmark. Mexican, Brazilian, Middle Eastern, and old-fashioned American diner fare are all here, among many others. Readers can re-create more than 75 stand-in-line classics like Chilaquiles Verdes from Lotera! Grill, Falafel Sandwiches from Moishe's, and finish up with decadent Chocolate Fudge from Littlejohn's English Toffee House. Vivid photographs and rare archival images bring the market to life as it celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Genres: Cookbooks

258 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2009

Reviews

[Blog on Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine if you will, having the chance to sample some of the freshest and best cuisine from all over the world; a French Fondue Savoyarde, some Mexican Chilaquiles Verdes, Singapore’s Mee Goreng, or some Korean Kalbi. The passport and travel tickets alone might be enough to break the bank. Unless, of course, you live in Los Angeles and want to ‘meet me at 3rd and Fairfax’ where for 76 years this month, culinary patrons from the world over have gathered at the dozens of homegrown eateries that comprise L.A.’s Farmers Market.

Now, through the efforts of author and Food TV producer, JoAnn Cianciulli (and Bay Area food photographer Karl Petzke), Chronicle Books has assembled some of the best recipes from the legendary vendors into one book of international and domestic delights called “L.A.’s Original Farmers Market Cookbook.”

Unlike most cookbooks that rely on one particularly style or a single chef’s output, the Farmers Market Cookbook combines dishes for every meal – including snacks and desserts – from a veritable cornucopia of chefs, genres, styles and nationalities – all blended together to replicate what a visit through the aisles of the legendary marketplace are like in real life.

In addition to the recipes, there are the storied histories of each of the featured vendors, some of which date back to the origin of the market that now resides on the old Gilmore Oil fields and is one of L.A.’s official Historical and Cultural Landmarks (second only to Hollywood itself.) While the book serves as a great cookbook for those seeking a wide variety of casual comestibles, it also aptly describes the history of the famed location, from its origin as dairy land to its hangout status for famous names like Sinatra, James Dean, Garbo and more, to its current day adjacency to both CBS’s Television City and the high-profile shopping plaza, The Grove.

If you can’t make it around the world, or even out to L.A., the Farmers Market Cookbook is the next best thing to being there. Otherwise, ‘meet us at 3rd and Fairfax’ soon. See you there!

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the Farmers Market when I lived in LA, but never made it to the original at 3rd & Fairfax. This book is full of photos & info about the stall holders & their products. It also includes some of their original recipes & tricks.

[Travelers Bookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-discover the best and freshest food in LA at the LA Farmer's Market, with stories about the history of the diverse food stalls and recipes so you can prepare the delicious dishes at home.

[Julie Bitting · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mouth is watering. I can't wait to go!