Thumbing through old recipes

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I’ve had this recipe book since we were married in 1984. Over the years I’ve gotten rid of most of my cookbooks since Googling a recipe and having a choice of dozens to pick from is so easy. I do love this book though, it captures moments in time of what have been popular dishes through the decades. Some of the recipes my friend wrote in the book as part of the gift at my wedding shower were Kalua Pie, Pineapple Dip (cream cheese, mayo, chopped walnuts and a can of crushed pineapple) and the recipe for an Orange Julius drink.

A dozen years ago or so I was at a gathering and saw someone across the yard I knew I recognized from somewhere. It was driving me crazy when it dawned on me what our connection was. I crossed the yard and probably startled her when I blurted, “I’ve been cooking your pumpkin bread every year for over 20 years!”. I had worked at a childcare center in my late teens and had cared for her son and over all these years her family recipe had become my family recipe.

A few recipes tell the tale of time – those skinless boneless chicken breast years. I have a couple of those dry old chicken recipes that I am glad are a thing of the past. One is chicken breasts covered with 7 ounces of beer, 2 chopped green onions 2 slices of sharp cheddar and one slice (wouldn’t want to overdo it) of havarti and bake at 400 for an hour. The other is the same boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 tablespoons minces onion, 1/4 pound of sliced mushrooms, 2/3 cup of white wine and a teaspoon of cornstarch. No salt, no pepper… sigh…

Then the years of celebrity cooks becomes evident – Alton Brown’s macaroni and cheese and next day macaroni and cheese. The next day is obviously better because you cover it in panko and fry it! How about a rock salt roasted prime rib? Rocco DiSpirito’s meatballs? Emeril’s shrimp po’boy? BAM!

I guess I better get back on track looking for Thanksgiving recipes!

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