Taste of Tombstone –
A Hearty Helping of History
Written by Sherry Monahan, reviewed by Lisa D. Smith

‘Taste of Tombstone – A Hearty Helping of History’ is a fascinating read that tells the colorful saga of the rise of Tombstone, Arizona, a prosperous mining community that flourished into a sophisticated city. Sure, Tombstone had its good share of outlaws and gunslingers that were attracted to the city’s wealth, but as author Sherry Monahan portrays, it was also a thriving hub of Victorian etiquette and culture that was shaped by the community’s restaurants, hotels, grocery stores and more.

This award-winning book that was recently re-released and published by the University of New Mexico Press is part history book, and part recipe book - featres. Monahan does a superb job describing Tombstone’s culinary heritage, which certainly wasn’t anything typical of a desert and western mining town. Who knew Tombstone was so elegantly Victorian, and that one could dine on French cuisine and enjoy delicious pleasures like oysters, ice cream, pastries, and more. As Monahan portrays, from tents to brick buildings, the restaurant and hospitality industry helped shaped Tombstone into the thriving city it was. As some business owners made good profits, most faced tough times to keep up with the booming population growth including fierce competition, two fires, a cyclone, an earthquake, and ultimately the end of the mining industry.

Besides the great gossip of the local businesses moving location or changing hands, and the great selection of recipes, I loved reading the various newspaper notices and advertisements that featured throughout the book. Tanks to Sherry Monahan, I have a completely new outlook and appreciation for Tombstone and its lively past – I can’t wait to go back.  Whether you have a fascination for history and the old west, or simply love to cook, this book will definitely whet your appetite!

To hear Sherry Monahan’s interview from an excerpt of SouthwestBlend.com’s ‘Champagne Sundays’ Southwest History Radio Show that aired April 27, 2008, please double click on the Play Button below. To hear the entire, unedited show, click here.

Featured Recipes from ‘Taste of Tombstone’

Roast Beef

Lobster Salad – try these delicious Lobster Salad recipes from Sherry Monahan, author of ‘Taste of Tombstone’ and more. Click Here.

Ham with Champagne Sauce
This recipe is a good way to serve leftover ham. If you are using leftovers, skip to the champagne sauce.

5-7 lb. ham
½ cup white wine
½ cup brown sugar
whole cloves, about 30 depending on ham size

Cut slits in the ham 1/4” deep and 1” apart. Place the ham in a baking pan fat side up. Push the cloves into the slits. Mix the brown sugar and wine in a small bowl and spread over the ham, reserving some of the mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 3 ½ hours, basting occasionally with the sugar mixture. Check with a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. Slice the ham and serve with the champagne sauce. Makes 10 to 12 servings

Champagne Sauce
¼ cup butter
¼ cup carrot, chopped
¼ cup onion, sliced
1 bay leaf
1 sprig thyme
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
6 peppercorns
5 Tbsp. flour
2 cups beef stock
½ cup champagne
1 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the carrot, onion, and seasonings to the pan and sauté until lightly browned. Add the flour and cook until it starts to brown as well. Gradually add the stock and cook until slightly thickened. Strain the sauce and discard the vegetables. Return the sauce to the heat and cook for 5 minutes. Add the champagne and sugar; heat through and serve. Makes 3 cups.

Strawberry Ice Cream
2 cups sugar
1 pt. milk
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 egg, beaten well
1 qt. heavy cream
2 cups strawberries, pureed
1 tsp. vanilla

Heat sugar, milk, cornstarch, and egg in a large saucepan over medium low heat. Stir to combine, and cook until cornstarch has dissolved; let cool. Once cooled, add the cream, vanilla, and strawberry puree. Freeze according to ice cream machine instructions. Makes 4 quarts.

‘Taste of Tombstone’ was originally published in 1998, and received two 1999 Glyph Awards from the Arizona Book Publisher’s Association. Featuring a new cover and updated information, ‘Taste of Tombstone’ was just re-released by the University of NM Press. Sherry is the author of a number of books including ‘Tombstone's Treasure: Silver Mines & Golden Saloons’; ‘The Wicked West: Boozers, Cruisers, Gamblers and More’; ‘Pikes Peak: Adventurers, Communities & Lifestyles’ which received the 2002 AASLH Finalist Award; ‘Self-Guided Walking Tour of Tombstone’. She is also the contributing editor for True West Magazine; 2007 & 2008 VP-Marketing - Women Writing the West; and the Historical Consultant for the movie "The Territory”. You can catch also see her on the 2007 Lost Worlds episode called, Sin City of the West on the History Channel, and she has appeared on the Wild West Tech series in the Gold Rush Tech and Gambling Tech shows. You can also catch her in the Investigating History series in the Wyatt Earp episode.

For more about Sherry Monahan visit www.wildwestinfo.com
To purchase ‘Taste of Tombstone’ –  Click here.