Old-school cooking

My pleas for help were answered and, as usual, my mom went way above and beyond the call of duty.

I wanted to make a casserole, one of the many my mom made pretty regularly throughout my childhood. It was creamy (naturally) and had ground beef (of course) and vegetables (well, water chestnuts and onions, whatever) and in short, it was perfect for this kind of weather (READ: warm and gloppy and total comfort food).

Not only did mom dig up the 30-year-old recipe, she did me one better:  She drove to my house and dropped off a huge bag of lemons (from her tree), a bag of oranges (from her neighbor) and two ancient tomes that are worth their weight in gold. Here I’m talking about her church’s women’s club cookbooks, from 1977 and 1984, respectively.

Typewritten on someone’s old Corona and spiral bound, these books are rife with nostalgia, including every recipe from every church potluck I ever attended– from nut breads to cheese balls to every chicken dish imaginable. If ever I need 150 different recipes that include cream of mushroom soup, I’m set. In fact, I’m beyond set.

FACT:  Eating three or more servings of any of these recipes may result in  "Aortal Suicide." (Great name for a band, btw.)

Rest assured these books also include such perennial favorites as “How to Make a Happy Marriage” and “Recipe for a Happy Day.” (My favorite ingredients: “Pinches of Warm Personality” and “Spice of life to taste.”)

Alas, I leave you with the recipe for Mary Murphy’s Potato Chip Cookies:

1 lb. soft margarine
3 1/2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. crushed potato chips

Mix all ingredients. Drop by teaspoon on un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle tops with powdered sugar. Makes about 100 cookies. Freeze, if desired.