Recipes Kept
Yellowed recipe cards with stains and creases and notes written in cursive contain the most delectable memories we have as a collective species: what food sustained us. If you want a taste of the dishes that made yesteryear delicious, I’ve kept them here. If you’ve lost a family recipe, perhaps you’ll find something similar.
Recipes Kept began with my grandmother’s recipe tin. I’ve expanded it to include recipes from tins I’ve purchased at thrift stores and estate sales so they don’t become lost to time. Do you have a family recipe you want archived? Contact me.
Garbage Soup
Phyllis Diller said, “This is a rare delicacy of the civilized world. It is an old-world custom to have a big pot on the back of the stove where you throw all the ‘usable’ garbage.”
Wild Rice Hot Dish
A hearty and comforting wild rice hot dish, perfect for a family dinner. This recipe combines ground beef, rice, and vegetables, all baked together for a flavorful and satisfying meal ideal for chilly Midwest winter nights.
Layered Enchilada Pie
This layered enchilada pie is a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired dish. Layers of tortillas, seasoned meat, and cheese create a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Quick Chop Suey
A quick and easy chop suey recipe, perfect for a speedy dinner. This dish combines luncheon meat with fresh vegetables and a savory sauce, served over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.
Spanish Noodles
This Spanish Noodles recipe is a hearty and savory dish, perfect for a quick, cozy family dinner. The combination of noodles, hamburger, and vegetables is filling and affordable.
Pork Chop Hot Dish
This classic Pork Chop Hot Dish is a hearty and comforting meal, perfect for those chilly evenings. It's a dish that brings back fond memories of Grandma Roma cooking pork chops in the countertop electric skillet. I always loved how warm and inviting the kitchen smelled when she made this hearty meal.
Cinnamon Rolls
There’s nothing more comforting than warm cinnamon rolls on a dreary Saturday morning. This cherished recipe brings back memories of cozy mornings and family gatherings. Each roll is a warm embrace, filled with the comforting flavors of cinnamon and sugar.
Mister Rogers’ Peanut Butter Sandwich
In 1993, my grandmother captured this recipe from episode 1612 of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, in which Mr. McFeely makes his “McFeely Family Snack” to share with Mister Rogers.
Homemade Bubbles
Is there anything more nostalgic than blowing bubbles on a warm summer day? This recipe works best when the mix is warm and the weather is humid. Simply leave your (sealed) container of bubbles outside to warm it in the sun.
Play Dough
Homemade play dough was a staple of my childhood. My grandmother would fold in whatever color I chose to dye the dough, and then I would wait (im)patiently for it to cool so we could play together.