My recipe albums

Between the ages of nine and fourteen, I was given two recipe albums as gifts. 

I know the Betsey Clark Recipe Album (anyone remember this Holly Hobby like waif?) was given to me by my aunt, a home economics teacher like my mom.  Some of the first recipes I slipped into its cellophane sleeves were definitely high-carb recipes:  Yeast Bread, Pizza Dough, Ginger Snap Cookies, and Choco-Cherry Cake.  I am still adding to this album, but I hope I have added a bit of variety since I started collecting recipes.

I do not remember where the other book came from, but I am sure it was a gift as well.  It may have actually come from Grandma. 

I almost forgot about it and I had to smile when I looked at its contents.  Each page is filled with my adolescent girl handwriting—lots of loops and every lower-case “I” is dotted with an expansive circle.   

Here are a few recipe titles that I found within its pages and what I remember about them.

Canned Sliced Tomatoes:  Mom was a tomato fanatic (and still is).  She found this recipe so she could enjoy sliced tomatoes during the winter.   I remember her being so pleased that she found a way to preserve sliced tomatoes.  However, I remember them being quite a process and they definitely did not taste like those fresh from the garden.  The recipe included dipping each slice in a calcium chloride solution.  I am sure that did not add to their tastiness.

Chicken Tetrazzini:  One of my favorite aunt’s recipe that we all loved.  I will have to post it some time.  We still love it.

Yankee Tacos:  Omigosh, does this recipe bring back memories.  We loved this and my sister and I would have made it for dinner five times a week if we could have.    I have to include this one here just for grins.

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. chopped onions
1 can pork and beans
1/2 c. catsup
1 t. salt
1 T. Taco spice
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Doritos

Place ground beef and onions in heavy skillet.  Brown.  Add pork and beans, catsup, salt, taco seasoning and cheese.  Cook until cheese melts.  Serve over Doritos.

Just typing this makes me really want to go out and buy some Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos and make this dish.  I wonder if there is any way to make it healthier but keep the flavor?  I doubt it.  I also wonder if I were to make it tonight, would it actually be as fantastic as I remember?  You know, perception and timing is everything, so I doubt it.