Cookbooks and personal recipes belonging to legendary entertainers Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz have been discovered within their papers at the U.S. Library of Congress, offering a glimpse into their domestic life that contrasts sharply with their on-screen personas. The collection, housed in the Music Division, reveals a surprising level of culinary skill, challenging the comedic kitchen mishaps often portrayed in their hit television series "I Love Lucy."
Among the items are two distinct cookbooks: a published volume titled "Settlement" featuring printed recipes with handwritten annotations, and an unpublished, handwritten book simply labeled "Cash." The collection also includes a mix of loose manuscript, typed, and magazine-clipped recipes. Dishes range from stuffed bell peppers and orange pudding to Mom’s Devil’s Food Cake, showcasing a diverse culinary repertoire.
Both Ball and Arnaz have recipes specifically attributed to them. Lucille's contributions include "Chicken Breast Ala Lucy," a spinach dish "From the desk of Lucy," and a lemon cake made with a grocery store mix. Desi's recipes, such as "Desi’s Hamburger" and "Desi’s Paprika Steak," frequently feature garlic and green pepper, indicating common ingredients in their household.
Intriguingly, both shared a "Sunday Night Special Recipe," with minor variations: Lucy's version included sausage, while Desi's suggested chicken breast. The papers also contain an A-to-Z list of culinary terms, identified as "Lucy’s things to know before starting a cookbook," offering humorous and practical advice like "Leftovers-a godsend" and "X-tra planning." These findings provide unique insight into the couple's private world.
The Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Papers encompass a broader collection of photographs, correspondence, biographical materials, 85 scrapbooks, and orchestral scores from the Desi Arnaz Orchestra. This extensive archive is available for public viewing in the Performing Arts Reading Room at the Library of Congress.