The Cookbook

So, today I finished writing the first and second official recipes for my forthcoming cookbook. Preliminarily, there are about 200 recipes on the list, which I have either created, or modified from some handed down by family members. The task now is to get these in some kind of logical order, and then begin the actual writing. As most good cooks will tell you, measuring, or keeping track of those measurements can sometimes be just a random deal. I think I'll include some kind of disclaimer when this thing gets published, stating "salt to taste", or "add yet another jalapeno pepper to heat it up", etc.

Anybody have any "TITLE" ideas for my cookbook? Most of the recipes are comforting, savory, and decadent. Also included are many that are vegetarian. Several begin with a basic recipe, and then I spin them into yet another form. EXAMPLE: Salsa...most of you who know me have tasted my salsa. The basic salsa is found as an ingredient in my guacamole recipe. This salsa also morphs into the quesadilla's, enchilada's and so on.

Fred, my very best taster and critic, offered up some of his culinary masterpieces to be included. You will most likely NOT see his recipe for Nuclear Waste in this edition. (Sorry babe.)

As a tribute to my Mom, who was a marvelous cook, included will be her rendition of Rice Pudding, Goulash, Lemon Meringue Pie*, Potato Salad and others.

Gramma Babe's Potato Soup, Custard Pie, Cole Slaw Dressing, Beef Stew with Bay Leaves and Cloves, will be just a few from her recipe box. One dish still under investigation is for a Swiss dish called "Store". Everyone in my Mom's side of the family will remember this one, which consists of flour, water, eggs, and salt cooked in hot oil in a cast iron pan. It's served with butter and syrup, and is absolutely heaven! One of those dishes that kinda stays with you all day. My sister Wendy thinks she has the ingredients down, but we are not quite sure of the exact measurements.

*Oh yeah...when I was a little girl, for some unknown to me reason, I was confined to my Mom and Dad's bedroom as punishment. Mom had put a Lemon Meringue Pie on her windowsill to cool. When she left the room, I pushed it right out the window. Result: more punishment! Temper, temper...