From Table to Text—Preserving Holiday Recipes

     Decades of green bean casserole at family gatherings, and nobody liked it. And the story behind the wildly inaccurate name? Lost in the mists of time.

     A few years back, in an effort to capture some of the real stories behind our family specialties, I created a cookbook as a holiday gift. I collected recipes from my mom and aunts, adding notes and pictures as well. In went Auntie Ann's Salmon Ball, Grandma's Macaroon Dessert, and Aunt Cherry's Rolls. Ditto with Marriage Encounter Chicken, Ev's Casserole, and Mrs. DiDonato's Pizzells. There's Overnight Coffee Cake, which we had every year on Christmas morning. I even included The Beans the Boys Like.

     It's a simple brochure-sized booklet, but at least in my household it's well-used. I love to thumb through the recipes and remember the happy occasions when the whole family was together, celebrating life with the ones we loved most. They're not the most health-conscious recipes, but for special occasions, nothing beats them.

     We're building memories with our own children now, and incorporating recipes and traditions from both sides of the family. In fact, it's probably time to publish edition two of Family Favorites, this time including Julekaga, Bruna Bruna, and Corn Pudding.

     So happy holidays and happy eating. And perhaps the food on your holiday table this year will inspire you to create your own Family Favorites Cookbook. You won't regret it!

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Ev's Casserole – a great leftover-turkey dish!

1 ¾ cups macaroni, uncooked

2 cups cooked turkey (or ham)

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

½ pound cheddar cheese, diced

3 hard-boiled eggs, diced

2 cups milk

Mix all ingredients together in 3 quart casserole. Cover and refrigerate all night.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

(To lighten this recipe, use low-fat versions of the milk, condensed soup and cheese, and use fewer eggs.)

Almond Butter Smash Cookies (the best Christmas cookie around)

2 cups butter

1 cup sugar

4 cups flour

½ tsp salt

2 tsp almond extract

Cream together butter and sugar. Add remaining ingredients and beat well.

Roll into 1 inch balls, then roll in sugar. (Green or red sugar crystals add a nice touch.) Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Press flat with bottom of glass or cookie press.

Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes (until edges are light golden brown).

Kate Davies' newest e-release, Home For Christmas, will be released on December 18.

www.samhainpublishing.com/authors/kate-davies

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