Bound for Mom Milepost #2 - Roadside Cafe

My mom was a good cook. I don't think I would call her a gourmet cook but food was always tasty and of course, prepared with love. I can't recall any disasters in the cooking department.

My mom had a number of recipe books. -- Special is the one with the handwritten notes by her sister. She had church cookbooks, sold as fundraisers. Several she received as hostess gifts when we had billets stay during conferences. When our church put together cookbooks from favourite recipes submitted by the women of the church, my mom would have hers included. I can't find the one that was well used.

I did find one with just recipes for soups 'n stews. She submitted "Pumpkin Soup" and one called "Supper Soup" that featured Italian sweet sausage. In a tiny booklet with just cookie recipes, hers was called "Secrets"

Secrets
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup butter
4 Tbsp coconut
pinch of salt
34 arrowroot cookies
24 coloured miniature marshmallows
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup red & green cherries

Mix together sugar, eggs, butter, coconut and salt. Cook until thick, then cool. Crush arrowroot cookies. Mix with marshmallows, nuts, cherries and add to cooled mixture. Put in greased 8 x 8 pan and refrigerate.

When you look at cookbooks from your own church and/or community, the names bring back memories of the person who provided their favourites.

In the collection are several from the local Salvation Army, some from Manitoulin Island, Shallow Lake, Waterloo, etc.

She also cut out recipes from magazines and gathered them together in binders.

Roast beef or pork were served on alternating Saturdays when I grew up. In the latter years, mom had a number of delicious ways to serve chicken and fish.

Mom regularly served the hot meal at noon. When I was working, even if she had been down at the church in the morning, she'd be home in time to get a meal ready. As I got out of the car, I would often hear the beep, beep of the microwave as something was given the last minute warm up.

My nephews and niece enjoyed my mom's cooking too. As they left the table, you would always hear, "Thanks Grandma."

Do I ever miss my mom and her cooking!