My Very First Cookbook

Yesterday, I took a walk down memory lane. Waaaaay back down memory lane, into the early 1970's, to my very first cookbook.

Here it is, the Betty Crocker's Cookbook 1969 that I got in the early 70's.  It was my only cookbook for years and served me well...as you can see.

As I have matured in my cooking tastes it has been ignored, for newer and more modern recipes.  Lately I have been seeing quite a resurgence in the dishes of the past...with a new spin put on them of course.  So I thought, let's take another look inside.

This favorite, literally fell out of the book as did half of the pages as you can see below.

Waikiki Meatballs, one of the very first 'exotic' recipes I tried in my newlywed kitchen.  I was so proud to stir up something none of the other wives in our circle had made!

So, last night I decided to try it out again and see if it tasted as I remembered.

I must confess, I had forgotten how 'not fun' browning meatballs can be and remembered thinking, way back then, that it would be much better if they were meat 'squares' instead of balls.

I changed it up a bit and switched the green pepper out for a small jar of drained pimentos.

Here is the end result, and there was a  nod of approval from the Mister.  In those early years I served it over rice but chose rice noodles this time.

As I look back, I realize how far our culinary tastes have come in these years.  In the 1970's this would have been a special dinner, perhaps for company and now we could easily find something like this in the frozen food section to 'zap' in the microwave on a evening short on time...How times have changed.

If you are interested, here is the full recipe....short and sweet. 

Changes that I made:

I could not find that size of pineapple tidbits so I used two 8 oz. cans and it turned out fine.
Saffola oil instead of shortening.
Less Sodium soy sauce.
1 4oz. jar of pimento, drained, in place of green pepper.

I did enjoy reliving my first years of cooking and will try to include more of these early recipes into my menus in the future.

What was your first cookbook and do you ever make any of your early recipes, still?
I'd love to hear about it.

Have a great day, my friends.  xo

Weekend Magazine Special

** Sorry, the weekend special has expired.  See you later today with a favorite retro recipe.

Hello friends. Hope your weekend is going well. Just popping in for a quick share which is too good to keep to myself.

Does it look like I need another magazine subscription?  I see you shaking your head back and forth, as in "NO".  Well, perhaps not a new magazine, but I never turn my nose up at another year tacked on to one of my existing subscriptions...and for a mere $5.00!

So, here is the link to DiscountMags.com, special weekend deals for that very good price.  There are many different types offered this time so you just might find one to suit your interests or perhaps a gift for someone else.    

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  xo

Mom Chooses a Winner

Hello friends and happy Friday. I hope your week has gone well and you have fun plans for the weekend.

Mom had her procedure at the hospital and as we waited for them to take her back she chose a name for the giveaway.  I am happy to report that all went well and the doctor said she may not need any further procedures for 6 months or more...yeah! 

The winner of the Country Living magazine subscription is....Cindy. Congratulations to you Cindy, please email me with your info and I will get that ordered.

I realize that these sewing machines have absolutely nothing to do with this giveaway but I just had to share...aren't they lovely?

There are more machines to drool over if you care to take a gander.  You will find the link here.

Wishing you all a very pleasant weekend.  xo

Magazine Giveaway

Happy Monday friends. I hope this finds you all well and having a good new year so far.

We have been busy with the usual first of the year projects and some flood control thrown in for a bit of interest....I will spare you all of the dirty and muddy details.

It has been quite awhile since we have had a giveaway and I figured what better time than at the start of a bright new year.

I know many of you probably already subscribe to Country Living but not to worry as we will just add it as a renewal.

We will have the drawing on Friday and I will be having my mother pick out the name in the morning before we go to the hospital for another procedure on her esophagus.  She will be very pleased to take part in this fun event.


To enter, you just need to leave a comment.  Any comment will be fine, but it would fun be if you have something to share about Country Living Magazine..I will start out by saying that I have been reading this magazine for approximately 24 years..maybe even longer, and I think that I never missed an issue!

See you soon.  xo

Fresh Start

  

No new resolutions for me to share . . . . 

Instead, it will be, new beginnings.

And sweet memories.

Wishing you all a Blessed and Happy New Year.   xo