Tuesday, June 10, 2008

On Cooking with a Granddaughter

One of my favorite things to do with our three-year-old granddaughter Avery Grace is cooking. There's nothing like seeing the excitement in her eyes when I say I need some help making cookies, or blueberry muffins, or in this case, a Lemon Pie. She loves pouring the ingredients into the bowl, and mixing and stirring, and will stand in a chair at the sink for as long as I let her "washing the dishes."

I have sweet and happy memories of times spent in the kitchen with my grandmother and I hope someday Avery will cherish these times with me as well.

This recipe is from one of my favorite old cookbooks (Looking at Cooking, by Mildred Swift) written by a lady who had a cooking show on our local tv station when I was a little girl (waaaay before celebrity tv cooks came into vogue).
Someone gave it to me as a wedding gift and, even though the cover came off and its pages are splattered from years of use, I still treasure it today.

Here is the recipe for "Easy-Does-It" Lemon Pie, along with some pictures I took of my little helper:

Are you sure you want to put this
in our pie, Grandmama?

Ingredients:
1 Egg, beaten
1 Can (1-1/3 cups) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Teaspoon grated Lemon Peel
1/2 Cup fresh Lemon Juice
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Prepare graham cracker crust (see below) and chill.
(Or you can use a ready-made crust, if you'd prefer)

Combine remaining ingredients, stirring until well blended. Pour into chilled crust and chill for several hours before serving.
(Makes an 8-inch pie)

Graham Cracker Crust:
Mix one cup fine graham cracker crumbs with 1/8th cup butter or oleo, or whatever it takes to make the crumbs stick together. I think I used about a 1/4th cup in mine. Press evenly and firmly on bottom and sides of an 8-inch pie plate and chill well.



This vintage aluminum juicer was my grandmother's and
I love using it and sharing things like that with Avery; even
though she doesn't really comprehend it now, one day she will.



Tadaaaaa! -- All done!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a precious helper.....and i LOVE her name.....aren't treasures wonderful???? (your juicer, your cookbook)......i LOVE your blog....you really have a gift w/words......jennie in tn <><

Unknown said...

She is so cute! I remember cooking with my grandmother and then my kids cooking with my mom. She would sometimes have 8 grandchildren at a time making homemade rolls. What a mess but what memories.
I just love old cookbooks. I might have to try and find that one.

Jill said...

Hi Janie...your kitchen looks gorgeous! You know what? I love old cookbooks, too! I had started a collection of Old Betty Crockers. There is something comforting about cookin' up an old recipe. Avery...is precious her outfit is super cute!
~Jill
p.s. Going to add your to my favorite reads!

JoAnne said...

It's rainy and dreary in my little corner of the world today. Your story just made it a little brighter.

Anonymous said...

U are in my favorites along w/bj and picket......i also read my romantic home/cyndi......i love her decor and she is going to be on hgtv......i couldn't live with all the white in my house (setting between two cotton fields) but i LOVE to look at it---your blog is outstanding......jennie in tn <><

Unknown said...

Avery Grace is adorable! She looks like she is enjoying every minute. Grand children really do make life grand. Thanks for the cooking lesson from someone who really hates to cook! You make is sound easy.
Diane

Anonymous said...

Hi, just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed this post. Is there ANYTHING better than cooking with grandchildren? You said it so well. I love it when mine are here and they say, "Gram, let's make some cookies!" I've collected old church cookbooks for years. I love the idea of handed down recipes. "Talk" soon,ksarra

Nancy Rosalina said...

Too Cute!!!! I love to cook with my niece, Emily, even if it's just a can of soup!! Precious Memories!!! Nancy

Picket said...

Oh my word how beautiful is she!!!! My little 3 yr old granddaughter Sofie just got the same exact haircut over the weekend and she loves helping me in the kitchen..when they are that age they are like little sponges soaking up everything and so eager to learn....How blessed are we to live to see these times with our grandchildren...just wanted to come by and check in on you my friend...I hope you have a great week!

kari and kijsa said...

What a cutie! Such great memories were created this day!!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Anonymous said...

Janie...I still have my copies of Mildred Swift's cookbooks. Both books are worse for the wear, but I still use them. I have such fond memories of watching
Mildred and her faithful assistant, Ethel, cook on KNOE TV Channel 8 in Monroe, LA. Avery Grace is beautiful. I have 3 grandsons ages 8, 6, and 18 months. They all love my kitchen. Thank you for sharing...JR in Central Louisina

Anonymous said...

Hi Janie, I am fairly new to blog-
land but wanted you to know I enjoy
your blogs so very much. Avery Grace is a little doll and she seems to be so happy helping you
make the pie. There's nothing better than making memories with
your grandchildren. Can't wait to
try this recipe....looks so good.
~~~Mimi~~~

Allen and LaRue Holloway said...

I also have a copy of the cookbook that my grandmother, Lula Craft taught me to cook out of. She also has recipes in the book under the name Mrs. James Craft. Good memories! La Rue Mills-Holloway