My Great-Grandmother's Recipe Book

I recently received my great-grandmother's recipe book which is written in a 1910 diary. So these were recipes she was making 100 years ago today! I thought I’d post a few of them.

Hormel's answer

A few days ago I put up a pic of a confusing label from Hormel and Big Y. Kudos to Hormel for answering my email and I'll say again, the pork chops were excellent. I thought I'd post the response so here ya go. Comments? I guess it's Big Y that could put on a better label!

We were pleased to hear you enjoyed the pork chops.  We did a little
background research on the printing of the label.  Hormel Foods sells Big Y
two different varieties of pork, which they cut and package for consumers.
These two brands are Hormel® Always Tender®Pork and Hormel® Natural Choice®
Pork.   The store then labels the product with their description which
identifies and prices within their system.  Within the store, I am sure you
will see specific labeling in the case which would identify the brand.

We have many recipes to share also - please visit  hormelfoodsrecipes.com.
Happy Cooking!!

Rochelle Kroc
Manager of Consumer Response
Hormel Foods

Gee thanks, Hormel

You have to love this label on pork chops from Big Y. Hormel pork is always tender OR all natural. How does one pick?

Husk is famous!

You read here four weeks ago that Husk restaurant in Collinsville has great food in an eclectic atmosphere. Well the New York Times must read this blog because they said the same thing last Friday in "Quick Bites"! Click here to read their article.  I am feeling the need for an empanada and cold Columbian beer.

Husk in Collinsville

If you haven't made it to Husk yet in Collinsville, be sure to give it a try. Nothing but the freshest food, much of it grown locally. The chalkboard menu adds to the funky atmosphere. The "silverware" is wooden and the plates made out of compressed, fallen palm fronds. I'm looking forward to taking them up on cooking classes when they get going. I've put a link at the bottom of the page. Happy Cooking (or in this case, Eating)!!

Fish

No, not the recipe, the little fish to the left on this page. Comment on this post and tell me how many fish you want (up to10) and what colors you want the fish to be and I will make it so! Click on the fish to feed them. I'll use this to kick off some fish recipes in the next few days. Happy Cooking!

So where did the idea for a blog come from?

I’ve had a few people ask me about the blog and how it all started. It’s been a bit of a voyage and by that I mean the story involves a flight to Denver and a bus ride in Dallas.

Back in October I was on a flight out to Denver on business. Sitting in coach, I was just happy to have the middle seat empty. It was on this flight though, that I met Kate Ord. Kate was in my row and with that empty middle seat we struck up a conversation that lasted all the way to Colorado. Kate works for the Great Harvest Bread Co. where’s she’s Director of Marketing. (There is a link to Great Harvest’s website at the bottom of my blog’s home page. Check it out as they have some great recipes there as well). Kate and I talked a lot about food, cooking and recipes during the trip. It was Kate that encouraged me to share recipes electronically. I loved the idea but at that point, I hadn’t figured out how.

That brings me to the bus trip in Dallas. Not long after getting back from Denver, I found myself at a seminar in Dallas. Coming back from dinner, I sat next to Dawn Boitnott, a fellow underwriter from Viginia.  We chatted on the bus trip back and when I mentioned wondering how best to share recipes, Dawn suggested that I start a blog.

So there you go. From Hartford to Denver to Dallas. From recipe cards to a blog. Thank you both Kate and Dawn for the inspiration!! Happy cooking!

And so it began!

I enjoy cooking and sharing recipes with friends and have been looking for a way to make them available to anyone who wants them. Please feel free to share with anyone you wish. I'd love to get feedback about any of the dishes you've made. Enjoy!