Country Kitchen:
A Family Heirloom Cookbook Christmas Gift
By Mary Emma Allen
I'm frequently asked for information about creating heirloom cookbooks to
preserve family recipes. Recently a reader said she was making a family
recipe scrapbook for her sister as a birthday gift and wondered if I had
any suggestions.
Another reader mentioned she was compiling a recipe book to give as a
wedding gift. I also heard from someone else who wanted to collect family
recipes as an anniversary gift for her parents.
With Christmas approaching, a family heirloom cookbook/scrapbook would be
a grand idea as a gift for someone special in your family. Or make copies
to give as your gift to several family members.
Rewarding Project
I found preserving our family food heritage, by collecting recipes and
creating an heirloom cookbook, a rewarding project. My daughter, husband,
and I, with the assistance of two cousins, developed a cookbook for the
Allen family.
We thought this an interesting way to save the family recipes and stories
associated with them. It's another method of recording one's family
history.
This project took a year after it was announced at the annual reunion.
Some people readily sent us recipes; others had to be reminded. Some were
reluctant when they learned we'd like the stories accompanying the
recipes or occasions when they were served.
They weren't reluctant to participate, only thought they couldn't write
that well. So we encouraged them to tell us about the recipes and we'd
jot down their memories.
When we had collected the recipes, my daughter typed them into a recipe
book format. She printed the sheets and we photocopied them.
Hubby and daughter designed a cover and laminated it. We took the covers
and photocopied pages to the print shop where they put the books together
with comb binding.
(We now have one of these machines so can bind the next cookbook
ourselves...one we're creating of recipes from my side of the family.)
Add Scrapbooking Techniques
We didn't put photos or illustrations in our cookbook; however, this can
be done to add interest. With scrapbooking so much in vogue these days,
use some of these techniques to add interest and uniqueness to your
project.
I find it of great value to save family recipes. They tell the culinary
history of a culture and a family. Some recipes relate modern day habits
and traditions; others might date back to great grandparents or beyond.
They bring together fond memories of several generations...and make
delightful gifts.
Have fun with your project...there are so many ways you can develop it.
A Family Recipe
CHOCOLATE CAKE IN THE PAN - This is quick-to-make and doesn't leave
numerous bowls to clean up. Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, 3 tablespoons
cocoa, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt into a
greased 8-inch square cake pan. (I often use 3/4 cup sugar.)
With spoon, make three depressions in the dry ingredients. Put 1 teaspoon
cider vinegar in one hole, 1 teaspoon vanilla in another, and 5
tablespoons vegetable oil in the third. Spoon 1 cup applesauce over all
and mix gently until smooth.
Bake at 350 degrees F. for 30-35 minutes until cake tests done.
Article (C) 2003 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing her "Cooking Column" for newspapers
and online publications for 30 years and
has compiled a family cookbook. She’s currently compiling a
cookbook/story book,
"Tales From a Country Kitchen." Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
