I grew up in rural southeast Nebraska, in a family of great cooks. My mom, Jo, was influential in the writing of several community cookbooks, from the church we attended, to the school we attended, and then at nursing homes where she had worked. It was probably because of her that I found the love of cookbooks, and when I started working at the age of 16, the first thing I bought for myself was cookbooks!! I've always said that my goal in life is to write my own cookbook, and I guess, I did so, for a wedding gift for my niece, Kimber Lane Gilbert.
Now, back to your question about learning from a cookbook...when you look at a cookbook from southeast Nebraska, you will probably find good, hearty foods, predominately with beef, pork, and chicken. Contrast that to a cookbook you might find in Florida that might have many fish and seafood recipes, and not as many beef and pork recipes. Even different locations within a state can be very different. For example, out around Hutchinson, Kansas, you might find a cookbook with a strong Mennonite heritage within the pages, while in Manhattan, you might find more "healthy" recipes, as Riley County is one of the healthier counties in the state, and in other areas, the traditional "farm-type" foods of beef and pork. I don't have any cookbooks from Alaska, but I bet they are even more different, and probably showcase some wild game, such as moose. (I am hoping to make a trip to Alaska in 2015, though, so will probably stock up on cookbooks!!) :)
I also enjoy reading cookbooks from locations I live. A couple weeks ago, I purchased several cookbooks from Atchison, and have enjoyed seeing how recipes have changed over the years, but also who submitted the recipes. Did I know them? Do I know their family members? Were they as good of cooks as my family members were? I think you can almost learn about other families based on these recipes.
This is a new experience for me, blogging, but I do enjoy writing, reading, baking, and unfortunately eating, and I hope that I can entertain you and educate you all at the same time. Till next time, pick up a cookbook and see what you can learn!!
Here is a recipe for you to try in the meantime...One of my staff named them "heavenly cookies."
Heavenly Cookies
(Recipe
developed by Merri (Wright) Leach)
2 c.
shortening
1-1 ½” piece of ginger root
1-1 ½” piece of ginger root
1 ½ c. brown
sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 ½ c. sugar
1 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
1 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
5 eggs
zest of one orange
zest of one orange
1 tsp.
vanilla
3 ½ c. flour
3 ½ c. flour
1 tsp.
butter flavoring
3 ½ c. oatmeal
3 ½ c. oatmeal
1 ½ tsp.
baking soda
1 pkg. cinnamon chips
1 pkg. cinnamon chips
½ tsp. salt
(optional)
Cream
together the shortening and sugars. Add
eggs and flavorings and mix well. Grate
the fresh ginger root, nutmeg and orange zest into sugar mixture; add cinnamon. Mix well.
Stir in the flour, baking soda, salt and oatmeal, and then the cinnamon
chips. Drop by tablespoons onto greased
cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for
10-12 minutes, depending on desired doneness.
(Merri’s notes: I have made these
with dried ginger, nutmeg and dried orange peel and they are still good, but
the freshness of the ginger root, whole nutmeg and fresh orange brighten these
up. I have also used butterscotch chips
in place of the cinnamon chips.
ENJOY!!!!)
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