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Bianchi -- Recipe boxes share so many stories Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Recipe boxes tell stories. I shared a story from my own little recipe box in last week's column. However, space didn't allow me to finish, so today I will.
In fact, last week I didn't even finish the "C" category, which isn't surprising because it is the best letter in the box -- Cakes, Cookies and Candy.
As I thumbed through it, changes over time were evident, even in the candy section. Oh, I didn't through away those good fudge, caramel or taffy recipes. In fact, today I still carry with me a souvenir of the snow white divinity we used to make at home. With our mom and dad gone for the day, my sister and I decided to make a batch of it.
She, being the oldest, would pour hot syrup over the beaten egg whites, with me doing the stirring. I'm not sure whose fault it was, but I know who cried the loudest when my hand got in the way of the syrup. A scar remains a reminder of that day. And divinity, even before that incident, wasn't my favorite.
The candy section has been enlarged with more modern-day confectionaries, many of which are easier and faster to make; and still can be seen on holiday buffer tables. Chex cereals have produced many party mixes. Pretzels are transformed nto elegant goodies with sweet coatings. The arrival of puffcorn makes another caramel-coated treat. Quoting my parents, "What will they think of next.''
I kind of like these changes.
No one can forget the cookie category. For babies it could very well be their first words, "Can I have a cookie?'' (To which their mom might reply, "May I have a cookie. And proceeds to give them two).
Cookies are easy additions to lunch boxes and what goes better with coffee or milk than a cookie? We couldn't get through Christmas without making a few batches. Most mothers can stir them up without even a recipe. I'm reminded of a story in which a wife tells about a habit her husband has.
It seemed he needed at least one cookie to dunk in his coffee each morning before his breakfast was complete. Said she, "If I didn't put cookies on the table, I'm afraid he'd dunk his finger in his coffee out of habit.''
My cookie section probably has the most recipes in it than any other section. Many have come from family and friends. There's Aunt Tillie's "Bar Cookie'' recipe; one called "Sally'' cookies from friend Florence; sister Delores' "Potato Chip Rounds;'' and last but not least, a host of revised and glorified chocolate chip cookie recipes, which naturally are the best of all.
This is evident by the frazzled corners and the stains, almost to the point of not being readible. They would probably be tasty enough to eat -- the cards, that is.
I've considered rewriting them, but it seems like a rather worthless job to me now. There no longer are little hands to reach into the cookie jars, except that is when grandchildren stop to visit. And the big hands no longer should reach in.
In fact, if I do make cookies, I tend to cut the recipes in half instead of doubling or tripling them like I used to. I even find it necessary now to get out a recipe card, recipes that at one time I though were indelible in my mind forever.
Here I am, still rambling on about recipes and only through the "C" section. I can't stop now. See you next week, when we visit over a cup of coffee and a cookie! |
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