Snappy Green Beans

by Mrs Marvel

Although it’s not mentioned on the card, I think this might be our first microwave recipe. I arrive at this deduction because of the “cook on high” reference, and the short amount of time to cook the onion and bacon. Some may argue that this doesn’t sound very grandmotherly, but the first commercially viable microwave oven was produced in 1947! My mom was around at that time AND she is a grandmother, so therefore in my mind this qualifies it. :-) However, the home microwave wasn’t very popular until the 1970s, even though the celebrated Radarange had been available for over 25 years. The price point just wasn’t something that most folks could afford, and there were (unfounded) fears of radiation from the food. These days, it is surprising when a home does not have a microwave installed, and they have become a requirement in the modern kitchen. And all due to a chocolate bar melting in a researcher’s pocket. Continue reading →

Beef Stroganoff

by Mrs Marvel

I’m sure you all have your holiday fruit cakes started, so we’ll take a dip into another comfort food from my childhood: beef stroganoff. I remember having this dish and my mother served it over noodles, although I liked my noodles plain and on the side. I also have a distinct memory of asking my mother to make stroganoff and of her telling me it was too fattening for us. I loved my mother’s cooking and it shows, heh. Continue reading →

Harmless Fruit Cake plus Rum Sauce Recipe

by Mrs Marvel

This recipe for “harmless” fruit cake simply lacks any alcohol, which as we’ve previously discussed burns off and leaves only the flavor behind. It does include a rum sauce at the end, so perhaps it isn’t the flavor of alcohol that was being avoided? Also, note that it says to use “2 small loaf pans” but my mother pointed out that Gram’s “small loaf pans” are probably the size of a standard loaf pan today. Continue reading →

Plum Pudding

by Mrs Marvel

Who hasn’t heard the story of Tom Thumb Little Jack Horner (mea culpa, mea culpa!), who put in his thumb and pulled out a plum? Well that little nursery rhyme refers to plum pudding, or in British vernacular Christmas Pudding. Much like fruit cake, it is made several weeks prior to Christmas and according to an article sent to me by Bridgette Beal, on or after the Sunday before Advent. That day was called “Stir-up Sunday” as each family member in the home gave the pudding a stir and made a wish. Continue reading →

Fruit Cake (Grannie Marvel)

by Mrs Marvel

My mom commented on a previous fruit cake recipe that “the best one” in our family is the one from Grannie Marvel, so I thought I’d share the recipe with you. We had this last year at the holidays and it is delicious!

Fruit Cake (Grannie Marvel)

1 1/2 cups raisins

1 1/2 cups dates

2 cups sugar

2 cups boiling water

5 tbsp Crisco

Boil this mixture for 20 minutes – let cool

Add:

3 cups sifted flour

1 tsp soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cloves

1 tsp salt

5 or 6 packages citrus fruit, nuts, pineapple or cherries

Fill paper greased pans 1/2 to 3/4 full and bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours at 275 to 300. When cooled baste with 1 tbsp brandy, bourbon or whatever every day for about 5 days.