While this recipe was not original to Mom, she always recognized new and innovative recipes by the standard of her day. I say that because by today's standard, this would not be considered revolutionary and one has to consider regional 'norms' as well. For South Central Ohio in the late 1970s, this was revolutionary. To combine the sweet and savory in a cold vegetable salad was not typical, but Mom saw that this combination would work and appeal to her family and guests. Broccoli, raisins, onion, bacon, and walnuts in a dressing that was tangy due to the vinegar and sweet due to the hint of sugar in its recipe. It definitely caught on in our family and was soon a frequent request when we gathered for any holiday.
The notion of being 'cutting edge' in her cooking was not the hallmark of Mom's arsenal of recipes. However, this one was just that and it brings to mind another daring attempt she took with chicken salad, based on her experience with her close friends Marilyn and Marty at the very chic restaurant in the Lazarus store in Downtown Columbus on High Street. Chicken salad with grapes and pecans! Remember the time and the place - this was unheard of! This may seem silly and maybe a bit trivial, but I was always very proud that my Mom would try new things and embrace ideas originating outside of the county in which we lived. She, in my youthful eyes, was willing to think about things "outside the box". She did not fall into complacency, but still embraced who she was and where she came from; a delicate balance for her generation. I always admired that about my Mom and I know she instilled this strong belief that one perspective is not all that exist, and that trying new and different things could lead to real discoveries and broadening of the mind. This obviously has translated from food to life in my experience and I am eternally grateful to her for modeling this for me and my children. And it all started with some broccoli and some raisins!
DAY 4: Peanut Butterscotcher Bars
OMG, these are fabulous! In keeping with the trying something different theme, these bar cookies fit the bill. The cake-like cookie is lightly lemon flavored and the topping is peanut butter, butterscotch bits, and Corn Flakes! The unlikely combination really works!! And they must be cut on the diagonal - don't know if that was in the original recipe, but it was how Mom always served these yummy delights.
I am working on the visual presentation idea for each of these recipes and while I am far from artistic in the presentation (which is a future goal), I did want to add the handwritten recipe to the shot for this dish. I did so in tribute to Mom's younger sister Ginny who left this life much too soon (this week) for a reunion with Mom, her husband (Uncle Sherrill), their brother (Uncle Roland), and their mother, (Grandma Marguerite). Handwritten letters, journal entries, cards, and notes were a priority for this side of my family - it mattered that you took the time to write it yourself. And no one practiced this more faithfully than Aunt Ginny. Ashley had just received a few days before her passing, an Easter card with a handwritten message inside for Avery's first Easter. We always smiled when we shared one of the letters or messages inside cards from Aunt Ginny because she would consistently share important news from her family and always inquire about ours with lots of questions. I think it was her clever way to insure we would respond :) It has hit me this week how much seeing the handwriting of loved ones we have lost truly means to the spirit of the reader. It does create mental images of the person and fosters a link to their lives and their memory. So, this one is for you Aunt Ginny. I am typing my tribute, but I think you see the love within the lines of print. You will be missed. Share an embrace with Mom for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment