Tuesday, February 16, 2010

My first cookbook....

When I was in the 7th grade a hundred years ago, my mom bought me this cookbook from the TAB book club in my Junior High. (No 'Middle School' jargon, we were the Junior HIGH!)
I still use some of the recipes to this day. 

The recipes were great, but my favorite things were the photographs and the illustrations. I had the children illustrated in the book memorized and they came to life for me upon perusing the pages hundreds of times. 


One of my favorite is the recipe for Apple Crisp. Since an apple a day keeps the doctor away, this is a wise choice for today's health conscious population. (Disregard the butter...)




I should have taken a photo of this luscious concoction in a bowl with coffee ice cream, which is the way we served it, but it's hard to take a photo at the moment when you are shoveling this into your mouth.
Note: I add raisins to the apples and walnuts to the topping....I like a good crunch.

16 comments:

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I just bought that same cookbook for our grandsons.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, I had a Betty Crocker cookbook also--not the children's one, but one when I first got married. I still have it -and it's tattered from beginning to end.

Your apple crisp sounds good--and adding walnuts is a great idea. Of course, I'd have to put ice cream on mine also... ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Evansmom said...

Coffee Ice Cream - a woman after my own heart!

brattcat said...

I have this one too! And still use it...I even make this apple crisp. I'll have to try it with your variations.

Lili said...

Oh my gosh I have that same one too! My parents bought it for me back in 1964 when I was in the 4th grade. I too love the photos and illustrations in there.

Unknown said...

You're lucky I don't have your address. I suspect that I live close enough to you that I could easily be knocking on your door with my plate in hand, looking for a piece of that apple yummy with coffee ice cream!

Deb Shucka said...

I still have my first cookbook, too. Mine is Better Homes and Gardens. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, and a sudden hunger for dessert. :-)

Lili said...

Hi Elenka, I'm back again to let you know that you might get a kick out of my post today...inspired by you. Come see please. ~Lili

♥ Braja said...

Hey, I have a chai recipe today to go with that :)))

I loved the last post too, Elenka...such beautiful flowers.

Balisha said...

I had that cookbook for my kids and now it is passed down to the grandkids.It is worn and tattered now, but I hope that one of them passes it down to their kids. Such a sweet book.
Balisha

George Gaston said...

A great cookbook last forever! Just like your incredible paintings....

It is my first time here, thanks to you stopping by my blog. But it definitely will not be the last.

Your Apple Crisp sounds perfect and I totally agree about photos of the foods we make... sometimes a pictures is not the same as the taste.

I look forward to looking around more @ Downeast Doing Stuff... I know I will be inspired!

Birdman said...

Ok, just answer me one question--- is there a recipe for needhams in there???? My, one true determining factor, that relegates a cookbook(in my eyes) to TRUE greatness.

Elenka said...

No, Birdman, no needhams. I hear they are made from mashed potatoes! Now exactly what kind of candy is that??? How ' bout some Broccoli Butterscotch Bites?
Or some Caramel Cabbage?

cam said...

Birdman must have mom's needham recipe, if not I'll have to look that one up!!

Thanks for the yummy pics.

Florida Checks In!!!

Evansmom said...

Check out my blog. I left some sunshine for you!

Diary From Africa said...

I think it's wonderful that you have these memories & still use the book today - love the illustrations, too !