Friday, March 2, 2012

Grandma's Recipe Gold Mine

Grandma's Gold

There is nothing more valuable in this world than what we share with each other. Relationships with people. Music. Food. Traditions.

My dear, dear, ninety-one year old grandmother has just moved to a new home, replete with food service, personal care service, cleaning service, and entertainment, all onsite and within reach.

Since she doesn't need to cook anymore, she doesn't have much need for her recipes anymore.

I was lucky enough to inherit Grandma's Gold.

Not her gold jewelry. Not Grandpa's gold tooth.

Grandma's Gold Mine.

That would be her recipe box. Her typed recipe cards. Her clipped, magazine recipes. Her shared recipe cards from family and friends.

Thank you, Grandma, and thank you, Mom.

Why, oh why, is this the first time ever in my life I have seen this gold mine? I remember seeing recipe cards on Grandma's refrigerator or on the counter. Why didn't I ever see this box?

Oh, the digging I could have done.

Now, if I could just manage to get every story that goes with every recipe given or exchanged with friends and family....

Ah, beggars can't be choosy.




Ah ha. This is a recipe I know well and love. I've already converted this to gluten-free and all the gluten-eaters had a field day with the results this past Christmas. They quit saying how good it was and just kept sneaking more pieces of it until it was gone in record time!

Of course, it helps that no one else in the family is still making Lebkuchen, gluten-free or otherwise. I guess it was a real treat.


I don't ever remember Grandma making a Maple Nut Torte. And with all those soda crackers, it looks like I've got some more converting to do!


Alright Grandma, what were you doing? Feeding an army? Five hundred meat balls?! Really? I know we had big family reunions, but I don't ever remember having enough people to eat five hundred meatballs!

Besides, I can't imagine how long it would take to make five hundred meatballs. Weeks?

Mom, did you ever have thirty pounds of ground beef on hand while on the ranch, all at one time? Ever? Oh, you probably did....


Ah ha! I know there is a story about this Strawberry Pie! I heard it not so long ago. It has something to do with a very young uncle of mine, company coming, and strawberries on the floor....


I have never, ever heard of Tomato Soup Cake. Ever. And I swear I was never anywhere nearby when it might have been made. Of course, as a kid, I would have never considered eating such a thing anyways.

Luckily, I love tomato soup now. But only if it is gluten-free.

I still have absolutely no idea what this Tomato Soup Cake might be like. I guess I have some more converting to do.


I didn't know Grandma had her own Zucchini Bread recipe. Why have I had to learn all these things the hard way? I'll have to compare hers to the one I've adopted as my own.


Heh, now we are talking! Whiskey Sour Punch!

Grandma? Whiskey Sour Punch? Really, Grandma? Boy, I sure don't ever remember this....

And what, exactly, is Wink?

Wink, wink?

I can't wait to see what other nuggets are waiting to be discovered in here. I have definitely got my work cut out for me, but what better way is there to revive some family stories and traditions?

What are your favorite family recipes that come with stories?

Happy recipe reviving!

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