A few weeks ago, I had the completely random idea of self-publishing a cookbook of the most-loved recipes from my maternal great-grandmother and her three daughters (one of whom was my grandmother), so that each of their descendants could have their own copy of the entire collection.
I had two motivations for undertaking this project, one selfish (I like to cook, and if there are great family recipes out there, I’d love to get my hands on them) and one nice (a cookbook would honor the memories of these four women.)
But then I actually unearthed my grandmother’s recipe box and started going through it. It’s no different from anyone else’s grandma’s recipe file, but at the same time it is, of course, priceless. (Note the recipe scribbled on an ancient bank deposit slip – love that.)
As I went through one index card after another — with their recipes for baked carp and tayglech and mandel brot — I realized that each one represents a piece of my children’s cultural and culinary history, history that might otherwise be lost as our family, like all American families, becomes ever more assimilated into the mainstream culture.
And then I started emailing my mom’s cousins all over the country, learning little tidbits of family history just by asking people about the recipes — like why a certain fish recipe was referred to as belonging to “Brooklyn Mom,” and who invented a noodle dish I’ve loved since childhood, and all about a particular dessert my mom remembers eating while watching the McCarthy hearings on T.V. Better still, I asked everyone to send photos for the book and have received wonderful old pictures of these four women that I would never have otherwise seen.
Like I said, priceless.
I’ll keep you posted on the book’s progress and am happy to offer tips to anyone considering a similar project.
Momma Jeannie says
I love this idea and have tried to start the very same thing. I am also considering blending my natural-born heritage (Korea) with my adopted heritage (Scandinavian/Russian). My father was a ‘creative cook’ and my mother was a by-the-book cook, but their combined love of cooking yeilded some interesting meal combinations. Now, my older brother (biological; we were adopted together to the same family) has fantastic Korean BBQ dinner parties. My mother journaled in her recipe pages. I just can’t seem to sustain the momentum to finish the project. I wish you luck! and and eager to hear how the project is going.
Viki says
What history!
What ever you do, don’t throw away the originals, in fact in some cases (like the bank deposit slip) you might want to photocopy it into the book! My fingers itch I just want to touch them and read them!
Also, I would resist the urge to update the original recipe with modern ingredients. If you have to…have the original and then have the recipe as you make it now.
I look forward to seeing how this project progresses.
Mara says
Love this project!! Can’t wait to see how it evolves!! I do not come from women of the kitchen so envious that you are uncovering all these treasures!
Maggie says
What a wonderful thing to do! I’d agree with those who suggest publishing an image of the original format along with the clearly printed & perhaps updated copy…at least for some of the recipes.
bettina elias siegel says
Definitely a great idea, everyone! I’m revamping my format so I can include a picture of the original index card (or bank slip!) where available. Thanks for the input!
Kim says
What a treasure you have, Bettina, and what a wonderful idea for a recipe book. You must do this! I’d even like to buy a copy when it’s completed. Some of the best recipes I have are family recipes–both my own and those that friends have so generously shared with me through the years. My mother wrote a favorite family recipe on the back of my letter to Santa when I still “believed.” My sister has it. It’s so fun to look back at that kind of stuff now.
bettina elias siegel says
Kim – definitely consider compiling those recipes somewhere, even if just online. What I’m finding is that as families grow and spread out, only a few people become the lucky repositories of the family treasures, like your note to Santa (so cute!). – Bettina
Elizabeth Gregory says
This week I’m finalizing a syllabus for a course on the Sociology of Modern Motherhood – and one topic will be the handing on of familial and wider cultural traditions and knowledge. Part of the obesity problem links to the severing of traditions of course. Will offer your example in the discussion of what mothers know and how that is/can be carried forward.
bettina elias siegel says
Elizabeth – so interesting! Please consider a guest post here on the obesity angle. I’m sure TLT readers would be interested. – Bettina
Cultural Dishes says
Hi there! I’m searching for families who are interested in sharing their family recipes; for more info please go to: http://castingfortelevision.com/