Cookbooks–we all have them. I know what you’re thinking: “This lady is crazy! Why in the world does she have so many cookbooks!”
Here’s the deal: I have never in my life bought a cookbook. All these books have been either given to me as presents, donated, or shared. And to be quite honest, the only one I ever use is my handwritten one “With Love From My Kitchen”. It’s been through the ringer for sure–splattered on, scribbled in by my kids, erased, rewritten in–you name it! My friend Brent texted me the other day; “making Leannie’s prime rib for Xmas”. I texted back “U need her recipe?” He said he did, and I sent him a picture of Leannie’s handwritten recipe from my cookbook. Sometimes, I feel like a repository of family recipes:-)
Thanks, kids, for the memories LOL!
I am at the point in my life that when I Google a recipe, I’ll look at it, and say, “Meh–think I’ll change this for that, and make it my own way. Yes, it’s amazing to me the power of the Internet. You can find out whatever your little pea-picking heart wants. Some you find useful, and the other 99% you discard.
I read with interest the other day about a post going around Facebook regarding “Do you want or have The Better Homes and Garden original cookbook?” I pondered for a minute…Nah not really! Maybe if it was scribbled in by some sweet old lady. Why, you ask?? Because to me that period in cooking history, represented the demise of good old-fashioned recipes. With the advent of processed foods, we lost something in our cooking. Today my neighbor Micki shared with me some of her son’s New Brunswick Stew, which has been one of her family recipes for generations. Quite tasty stuff. I love history about food and family recipes.
Please, my friends, DO NOT throw a pot roast in a crock pot with a package of Italian seasoning! Now, I am not a food snob, and no, I would never pay $200 for a pound of wagyu beef (but I would take a bite if someone offered). Now me, I am more interested in pre-processed, pre-genetically enhanced, original varieties of foods.
Currently I’m on a quest to find some Carolina Gold Rice. I saw something about it on the Travel Channel. It was a staple in the America’s pre-civil war, and emanated from Africa and Indonesia. It was almost lost during the depression, and is suppose to have a nice nutty texture. Anybody out there know where I can find some in the area? Please let me know! Oh, and some family recipes too–always good to share!
