4 of 10

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

online cookbooks. Yes, I have gone that far. All you have to do is sign up, create a user name, password and click...presto you can begin creating your online cookbook and recipe box. Most major food distributors provide this service.

One grossly overlooked type of cookbook is a family cookbook. To me as a genealogist, these are family heirlooms and become part of a family's history. (The little recipe box would fall in here although it's not a full fledged cookbook.)

My dear aunt that was killed in a tragic auto accident in 1973 had done this and I'm so grateful. For years when I went to visit her for two weeks every summer she would make a Fudge Pie for me. When I inherited her recipes, there was her Fudge Pie recipe in her school teacher handwriting! Priceless!

If you haven't, please start a family cookbook for your family. Write down that recipe for chicken and dumplings or gingerbread or baklava. It's so easy. If you don't want to or are unable to do it by hand, then turn to your computer and put those recipes in a Word document. Yep, I have about three of those going in binders...

When I remarried a few years ago I discovered something...the man can cook! Now, we almost have a "his" and "hers" collection. His is made up almost entirely of grilling cookbooks, although I will have to say he was extremely happy with the Food Network Cookbook one of his staff members gave him for Christmas.

My favorite cookbook? Oh my, how do I pick? It's impossible, but there IS one...this one cookbook was my mother's when I was a little girl. She got it when she was young. She gave it to me a few years ago and I added to my shelf. It's a worn, gray hardback book. The spine is even missing and long gone.

When I glance through this cookbook it's nostalgic to look at some of the recipes. You know these were the recipes that were the vogue during the Golden Era of Hollywood. But, there's one recipe...a recipe for Brownies Momma used to make when we were little. It's a cake brownie and you don't find many recipes like that nowadays, plus, there is a hilarious family story that accompanies those Brownies. How could I EVER give that cookbook up?

So, maybe for me cookbook collecting is emotional or sentimental. Maybe I am searching for the perfect recipe...the one that will help me present the perfect meal for family and friends...another Holy Grail search. Whatever the drive is, I think, no, I know I'll continue to collect cookbooks...and maybe I'll pass that Betty Crocker Cookie Cookbook from my childhood on to a grandchild to start their collection...

Learn more about this author, Beverly Hicks Burch.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Cookbook collecting?
We want to hear your view. Write now!