I was straightening up a kitchen cupboard in our stix-n-brix home when I discovered my family recipe box. My small metal box resided silently in a back corner of the cabinet, waiting patiently to offer up to me its recipe secrets, cooking hints, and fond memories.
Recipe box
Long before computers and the internet came along, recipes were handwritten on note cards. Most cooks organized these recipes into labeled sections inside their box, like Appetizers, Beverages, Breads-Biscuits, and so on, in alphabetical order.
From time to time, a recipe appeared in the local newspaper. My mom tried the recipe and if it was “a good one” she clipped the recipe out and carefully placed it in the appropriate section of her recipe box.
Rite of passage
I was gifted my very own recipe box when I turned 12. Already inside the box were special family recipes—some from my grandmothers, my great aunts, older cousins, and, of course, my mom.
Over the years, I began collecting recipes of my own. I have to chuckle now when I see my hastily written notations on some of the 3” x 5” cards: “Kids actually ate it!” or “Big hit at the potluck.”
Handwritten treasures
The recipes are treasures, to be sure. (I’ve never tasted a better meatloaf than my mom’s recipe.) But what strikes me as I look through my family recipe box is the memories. I can tell at a glance who penned each recipe, and I am immediately transported back in time.
“Ham and Peas Casserole” (from my mom) brings back vivid memories of shelling peas on our hot farmhouse porch.
“Cranberry Bread” (from my grandmother) evokes thoughts of childhood Christmas celebrations. (My uncle once dressed up as Santa Claus and scared my sister and me so much that we ran upstairs to hide!)
What’s this? “Tang Tea”? Can you even find Tang in the grocery store anymore? The name reminds me of that special time when our family gathered around the television. We watched in wonder as the first man stepped out onto the moon’s surface. I wonder if astronauts ever mixed up a batch of “Tang Tea” to celebrate.
Times change
Families today research and find recipes online. My sister recently asked ChatGPT to generate a recipe for her and she loved the result! My, how times have changed! Now folks are much too busy to hand print a recipe. Instead, we have Pinterest and other ways to “save” our favorite meals and desserts, if we even cook at all. With DoorDash and other home delivery services, you can have a meal on the table within the hour, and there will be no kitchen cleanup duties afterwards. Many companies will deliver to RV campgrounds!
Passed down
When Mom died, my dad took over our family recipe box. This was a shock to me because Dad rarely stepped into the kitchen except to eat whatever yummy goodness Mom had prepared. Perhaps seeing Mom’s careful handwriting, following her exact instructions, and eating the familiar foods helped him feel connected to her and their life together.
Upon Dad’s death, my sister received the family recipe box. Now, if I can’t find a particular family recipe, I’ll ask her. Between us, we’ve been able to cook, bake, or pickle everything we could ever want.
Finally
If you look carefully at this image (click to enlarge it), you’ll find a very special recipe of mine. The smudged and faded card provides the directions for making “Refrigerator Cookies.” My dad added his own special ingredient at the top of the card. It always makes me smile.
Refrigerator Cookies
Cream together:
1 C white sugar
1 C brown sugar
1 C butter
3 eggs. Drop in one at a time.
1 tsp. soda sifted with 3 C flour & 1/2 tsp. salt.
Mix into sugar & egg mixture.
Add 1 C nuts (and) 1 C dates (optional)
Refrigerate. Slice & bake at 350° til light brown.
Dad’s special ingredient (at top of card): “Add some love.”
How about you?
Please take the poll below. If you have easy access to your own family recipe box, take time to peek inside it. You’re sure to find wonderful recipes and perhaps a memory or two, as well.
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For many of the same reasons, I love perusing old cook books with all their slops and stains, folded corners and , most importantly, comments in the margins. They give wonderful insight into the times and the mindsets of the many cooks who used them.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 I was able to make out everything in the recipe card except “Refridgerate.” Thank you for supplying. We haven’t a sifter. Grandma had and frequently used one. I think my mother does as well. Guess we should add one to our cooking implements. Our important recipes are stored in the remnant of a paperback Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book. Dog #1 mistook the cook book as food or a chew toy, I suppose. Most of it survived and inserted between pages are several recipes that I transcribed or DW transcribed. A few are in the handwriting of someone near and dear. Thanks again, have a great weekend, and safe travels! 🙂
It makes me sad, yet smile every time I see my Grandmother’s writing on many recipe cards in my box. What a treasure!