Local cook whips up new recipes for book
By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer

PHOTO/SUBMITTED Chef and cookbook author Mary Pauplis

Hudson - After cooking up delicious recipes for her viewers for 11 years, chef Mary Pauplis recently compiled more than 300 of them in a new cookbook.

Pauplis produces and hosts "Cooking Adventures with Mary" on Comcast and local public access channels. The cooking program reaches viewers in Hudson, Marlborough, Stow, Acton, Framingham (channel 13 WCCA-TV), Maynard, Peabody, Brookline, Townsend and Worcester.

Cooking began in her mother's kitchen, she said.

"I was brought up in a family where aunts and grandmothers were all excellent cooks," she said. "Each weekend [we] all got together to make all varieties of pasta."

Pauplis parlayed the lessons she learned in her family's kitchen to hosting her own cooking show and publishing five cookbooks: "Heritage Cooking from the Kitchen of Mary Pauplis," volumes I and II; "Cooking Adventures with Mary," volumes I and II; and "Cooking with Mary: Recipes from 'Cooking Adventures with Mary.'"

When she decided she wanted to demonstrate her techniques and recipes on a cooking program, she contacted the local cable company.

"I wrote a letter to the local Cablevision station to inquire about producing and hosting a cooking program," Pauplis said.

According to Pauplis, she teaches viewers about food preparation and nutrition, cooking tips and the final presentation of a dish.

"I am very enthusiastic and passionate about cooking and the results of serving a meal that is both nutritious, beautifully presented and enjoyed by my family, friends and T.V. viewers," she said.

In addition to her program, Pauplis judges culinary events and conducts tours in the North End of Boston sharing the Italian culture, foods, wines and history with others.

Pauplis said her new cookbook includes many new recipes that have been featured on her show. There are recipes for appetizers, beverages, soups and salads, vegetables, desserts, and more.

One of the new recipes, a pasta, vegetable and chicken dish called Chicken with Peas and Broccoli, has been requested by viewers, she said.

Pauplis hopes that her viewers and readers are encouraged to "enjoy the kitchen" and make cooking a mainstay in their lives. She believes a home is made in the kitchen surrounded by family and friends, a philosophy she uses on her show.

"Cooking was and is always an exciting and interesting way of learning how to prepare nutritious foods and then to have the pleasure of serving outstanding meals to family and friends," she said.

Pauplis's newest cookbook is available at Hudson Appliances at 176 Main St. For more information about Pauplis and her show, visit www.hudsonappliance. com/pages/cookingadventures. html. The website has recipes posted, as well as the show's viewing schedule.