 I have been going through more boxes trying to get order from the many items inherited from my parents. I had already found my paternal grandmother’s recipe box, but I just found one of her cookbooks.
The book was entitled, “Heritage Cookbook,” from Baldwin, Illinois. I bet some of you may have this treasure in ones of your cookbook shelves. It is full of recipes from the local women of Baldwin. As you open the book, the stated purpose of the book is to “take you through the kitchen doors of the hundreds of ladies who live or have lived in the Baldwin area sometime during the last hundred years.” The book was published in 1976 so it is probably due for an update! I am looking forward to making these recipes especially knowing my grandmother touched and used this book in her kitchen. This is just another example of how I can honor my family and remember them in my kitchen.
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 I looked out the window the other day and saw this very large Robin obviously preparing to lay her eggs in the coming days. I was struck by her expectation, and mine, of the warmer days of Spring.
The greatest expectation of Spring is taking place in the Carondelet Garden. Big Guy has been nursing his seedlings for many months with many of them already out in the garden. It sounds crazy to say our zone of the country has already called him to plant his potatoes, peas, asparagus, and lettuce. The tomatoes have been hardened and are already in the ground. The Garden is quite the experiment for us as we learn the best way to grow our own vegetables. We have made mistakes, but also experienced many triumphs. By planting our tomatoes early last year, we yielded over 25 pounds of tomatoes before the squirrels discovered our bounty. We decided to try it again this year with the hope we get the same result. Regardless of success, I am excited to dream up recipes uses our fresh produce. I may even save a few dollars this summer with the rising cost of groceries. Fingers crossed!  The pre-teen years can be a “joy” as one navigates through the waters of growing up. As I was the child of an obsessive dieter, I found my relationship with food to be remarkably interesting.
My ally was my dad. He would always buy an extra bag of French fries from McDonald’s for the trip home with the shared secret we would not tell mom. Ok, she was too smart, and she knew we did it despite hiding the empty bag! I was an active kid with a myriad of physical activities from diving lessons in the summer and ice skating in the winter, so extra calories were not an issue at the time. The best kept “secret” from mom was when the bagel shop opened at our local mall. Dad and I loved to stop by for a pizza bagel which always included sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. It was heaven on a bagel. This was a simple treat from my childhood that I decided to recreate in the Carondelet Kitchen. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to avoid the frozen ones at the grocery store and get back to making my own!  Big Guy was raised in a Southern family. He was used to big meals everyday which always included a protein, potatoes and a vegetable. When we first married, he never had a salad that wasn’t more than lettuce and a tomato. Poor child!
As I have evolved into a home cook, I became fascinated with the variety of cookbooks that focused on Southern cuisine. Big Guy bought my first “Southern” cookbook called “Screen Doors and Sweet Tea” by Martha Hall Foose. I was quickly pulled into the book searching for recipes that elevated the basic experience Big Guy had as a child. The recipe that called me for many holidays was her “Barq’s Root Beer-Glazed Ham.” It takes a basic ham and kicks up the flavor. The best part is telling our guests that the glaze was made with root beer, ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard and lemon zest. We always get a cry of “no way,” and pass me another piece.  It was nice to pull out an old recipe for Easter. The first time I enjoyed Cheezy Potatoes was at a church fundraiser for our choir. We were a crazy bunch as we decided to throw a New Year’s Eve party. We had a built in DJ thanks to the Big Guy and we were all confident we could cook a delicious meal and keep the costs low enough to have a great evening and still raise our needed funds to buy an electronic keyboard. I am happy to say that keyboard was bought and used for many years. We have scattered over the years and some of our members have passed. Thanks to having their recipes, I get to honor and remember them every time I pull out a recipe for a special occasion.   St. Louis is known for many things, but soccer continues to be a strong passion in our burg. Aside from the excitement of St. Louis City SC and the new stadium, you can travel around the greater St. Louis area and see soccer being played by kids at various levels throughout the year.
Big Guy and I were introduced to this world a couple of years ago through our chosen family. We had no idea there were so many soccer fields along with the hordes of kids out there playing hard to win for their team. Thank goodness we can store all the field locations in our car’s navigation system! The games are never too long and always exciting. So, grab a camp chair and enjoy some time outdoors. You will be rewarded with spirited play and great enthusiasm for soccer.  I am continuing my quest to empty out the freezer. Between the price of groceries, OUCH, and my overzealous cooking in the Fall, I am determined to make meals out of everything left in there.
I went back to an old favorite this week…Meatball Tortellini Soup. It truly was a kitchen sink moment when I realized I had all the ingredients except for fresh spinach. After a quick trip to the store for my leafy greens, I went to work. I love this soup since it is easy. Once you sauté the onions, peppers, celery, carrots, and garlic, you add the remaining ingredients to the pot and let time do the rest. As for the remaining items, it is chicken broth, tortellini, meatballs, and spinach. I let it simmer for a couple of hours while Big Guy worked in the garden. Once he came in and showered, dinner was ready. As Ina Garten would say, “how easy is that?!”
Readers are very aware we have a Golden Doodle. If she could speak, she would ask why we are including her in any conversation about being a dog.
You see, our Doodle thinks she is human. She sleeps in a bed and sits in chairs. She even has an outdoor chair that allows her to “survey” her backyard for any interlopers. “I see you Mr. Squirrel!” We fully understand we are over the moon for our fur baby and treat her as one of us. She has even learned a happy hour dance for her daily treat while us humans enjoy a glass of wine. Join us as we celebrate our pup! She is first in line to give kisses and hugs. You can ask our neighbors, her groomer, and our mail carrier! If you have a pup, remember to give them an extra hug, a pat on the head, a belly rub, or a sloppy kiss. It is little effort to give them love that they give back to you every day!
Garlic is a wonderful item to keep in the kitchen…unless you are a vampire! I realize garlic is something that is an acquired taste and not everyone can appreciate its pungent flavor.
As I type these words, I can’t help but think of Ina Garten and her dislike of cilantro. I have always admired her honesty along with her suggestions of alternate ingredients to use in its place. Garlic is very versatile and can certainly add to most dishes. Many years ago, I was even introduced to the idea of baking garlic to be used as a spread on toast. I was skeptical and remember telling my friend it was outside my comfort zone. After much cajoling, she convinced me to try it and I fell in love with the roasted flavor. It quickly became a staple in my kitchen. I know there are garlic festivals around the country. In my world, I am looking forward to the garlic Big Guy planted in the Carondelet Garden. I just know fresh garlic will be even better in my cooking!  Last Saturday was National Husband Day! I do not know who produces these national “holidays,” but I celebrate my Big Guy every day.
I know I am a lucky lady as I found and married my best friend. We have grown together over the years and have found a comfortable life together in our Carondelet Kitchen. My wish for all of you is to find someone who loves and respects you. And, yes, fur babies count! |
AuthorJust a super cool old couple who love to cook and eat and drink in their Carondelet Kitchen in South Saint Louis, Missouri! Archives
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