10/14/2024
I received a cookbook just like this in 1973 when I got married. Over the years the pages were stained with oil, pages with water wrinks, powered sugar in the binding creases and folds, children's fingerprints, later lots of Post Its, a napkin as a placeholder, a pic of my Yorkie Nuggy and probably a piece of marshmallow sticking two pages together. As a young wife and then mother, this is where I went first for advice on 'American' food. For Cuban food I went to grandma or my mom but, oh for American food it was my Betty Crocker Cookbook. It was bright red and heavy and full of pictures and dreams.
Baking a cake from scratch gave me confidence and the red made me think of America and freedom, a common conversation in a Cuban family. America'! with a little accent. Betty taught me about foods and spices my family and I had never used. How funny that sometimes something as simple as a cookbook could have such an impact on ones life. My children all touched the book, used the book, read the book.
Eventually, the binding started to loosen and the book tired and weathered but, to me it was my 'Betty Crocker Cookbook' who would teach me how to cook the proper way. I vaguely remember putting the book in a box durina one of my moves and divina the confidence and the red made me think of America and freedom, a common conversation in a Cuban family. America'! with a little accent. Betty taught me about foods and spices my family and I had never used. How funny that sometimes something as simple as a cookbook could have such an impact on ones life. My children all touched the book, used the book, read the book.
Eventually, the binding started to loosen and the book tired and weathered but, to me it was my 'Betty Crocker Cookbook' who would teach me how to cook the proper way. I vaguely remember putting the book in a box during one of my moves and giving the box a sideward glace, 'hm keep an eye on that box, it has your Betty Croker Cookbook' and than p**f it was gone. I miss my cookbook but, my memories at a moments notice come flooding in with smells and the touch and feel of sugar and flour. The warmth from the oven and the children running circles hoping the cookies would be out soon. I'm sharing my experience for those making their memories today and also those that have amazing adventures, recipes and experiences cooking with their cookbooks. ♥️
