My First Cookbook

Better Homes and Gardens- New Jr Cookbook Circa 1979
Given to me by my Mimi- 1986

Mimi gave me my first cookbook before I could talk. The first things I remember about my Mimi are from the kitchen. I don't remember a meal at her house that didn't include fresh home made bread. Every meal had fresh ingredients and was made from scratch. Every once in a while she would use short cuts, I mean after all, she was a busy banking woman for most of my growing up! I remember her telling me about how she would go through all the ads, coupons and flyers for each grocery store in Canyon and on Saturdays she would do her shopping, at each one. She got certain ingredients at certain stores and utilized certain sales, ads and coupons at each one! Talk about Extreme Couponing in the 80's and 90's, before it was popular! :) This sweet cookbook is in my kitchen and is very dear to me. Here's one of the reasons why...

I do enjoy cooking as much as you do, Mimi! 

Mimi always wrote in the books she gave us. I'm so glad. It makes this book even more special to me. I remember Mimi always getting paper bags at the store, getting home with all of her produce and washing, trimming it and getting it in her refrigerator as soon as she got home. She taught me the basics of keeping lettuce green and crunchy longer, storing onions where they won't smell up the fridge and the lost art of freezing, everything. Haha! Not until the last few months, now that we are shopping on a strict budget, etc have I really thought about freezing bread, but when there is a sale on something and I know I won't eat it all before it goes bad, FREEZE it!! Yay Mimi! :) I freeze nuts, grains, cereal (for baking), vegetables, tortillas, berries, etc. It is a great tool for saving money and NOT wasting! More details on this when I make her stew. :) 

There is a particular recipe in this cookbook she gave me that I used to make as a little girl. I have made a few different recipes in this book before, but the Snickerdoodle recipe is my favorite. (a lot of these recipes in this book are VERY dated, like, Cheese Strata? really?) My mom helped me make them a lot and they always turn out wonderful. Looks like Snickerdoodles are going to be my first recipe to make and record for the blog! 

My favorite recipe in the book! 

Snickerdoodles are an easy cookie that can be made by stuff you usually have in your pantry. The only thing I used to not keep in my pantry was shortening, but since my Aunt Dawn gave me her amazing Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, I keep it handy so the boys at Nick's shop get a treat now and then. :) So, most people carry everything except the shortening. (and honestly, you can use non-stick cooking spray instead of shortening) remember, this book is from the 70's. 

Snickerdoodles

3/4 cup of sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups All purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

2 T sugar

2 T ground cinnamon

Turn on oven to 375

In large mixing bowl, cream the 3/4 cup of sugar and the butter or margarine with a wooden spoon. Beat in the egg and vanilla. 

In small bowl stir together flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar. Stir into butter mixture with wooden spoon until well mixed.  In a small bowl combine the 2 T of sugar and the cinnamon. Grease cookie sheets and set aside. 

Shape dough into 1" balls, roll each ball in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Put balls 2" apart on the cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. Makes about 36 cookies. 

I hope you find some time to make this recipe. It is delicious and it brings back lots of memories for me! Thank you Mimi for this sweet cookbook and I hope Ava enjoys cooking as much as you and I do. I have a very special connection to you through the kitchen and I hope going through my memories makes you smile. 

Blessings, 

Shaina