Lucile Isenberg's OSU textbook from Cooking Class 1920's

My review today is courtesy of Sarah Myers who has graciously given me her mom's vintage cookbook to share with you. Sarah's mother, Lucile Isenberg (formerly of 111 West St., Stillwater, Oklahoma), used the Textbook of Cooking for a class she attended at Oklahoma State University in the 1920's, however, the book's copyright is 1915! The textbook was written by Carlotta Greer and published by the Curtis-Johnson Printing Company.

I was very careful while reading this fragile article of cooking history, and taking notes for the review. It's easy to see that the book has been taken care of, but just because of its age,the pages are dry and the glue on the binding is starting to give way.

This cookbook has a unique style because it's written as a scientific book on cooking. As most textbooks, it's matter-of-fact tone is evident from the beginning. Every cooking method, type of food, and its composition are discussed in a very basic way. Greer states that the book's aim is, "to lay the foundation for skill in cooking by directing the pupil to follow established recipes and to treat processes of cooking as experiments in a scientific study." That is precisely the way the chapters are put together: presentation of subject matter (for example, root vegetables) , methods of preparation, recipes, experiment, questions.

As with any old book, some of the information on dietary matters and such have changed over the years, but as an article of the history of cooking and food, this book is a piece of Americana. You can see how our cooking methods have changed since 1915. It has a picture of a fireless cooker, and talks about wood stoves and the "modern" gas and electric ranges. I found the chapter on the dietary needs of children especially fascinating:

p. 385 Meals for One Day

Child 2-4 years old

breakfast: 7:30 a.m. oatmeal mush, milk, stale bread, orange juice

lunch: 11:00 a.m. milk, stale bread, butter

dinner: 1 p.m. baked potato, boiled onion ( mashed), bread and butter, milk, baked apple

supper: 5:30 p.m. boiled rice, milk, bread and butter

Fuel value, 1313 calories; protein, 191.2 calories cost,$o.13
Substitutions or additions: rolled wheat, wheaten grits, farina, hominy and corn meal
prune pulp or applesauce

My, how times and ideas have changed! This cookbook had many interesting items. I will treasure it, because I'm honored that a reader gave it to me so that I might share some of its contents with you. I'm sure that her mother, Lucile, became a great cook. The sample recipe today will be one that she wrote in the front of this book's cover:

Grandma's Boiled Custard
4 C milk
6 egg yolks
5 TBSP sugar
1 tsp vanilla or rum extract

Scald milk. Add sugar and vanilla to lightly beaten egg yolks. Pour milk over egg mixture a little at a time. Place in double boiler. Cook only til mixture coats spoon. Beat 6 egg whites stiff; fold into custard while hot from stove. Sprinkle nutmeg over top, if desired.

I will be linking to: Grocerycartchallenge for today's recipe swap. Also Designsby Gollum and FoodonFridays.

Try It ! Coke Roast and a 5 Minute Corn Relish

I've got a long To-Do list today so I'll get right to the recipes that looked especially good to me from my clippings box. I love to try new recipes over the weekend when I have more time and my guinea pigs..uh..family are home to be my "tasters"!

I love Coca Cola. If you squeeze a fresh lime into a Diet Coke with lots of crushed ice, that is my all-time favorite drink on the planet Earth! Although, I find that I cannot drink a whole can of regular Coke (in the red can) after 7:00 in the evening, or I will not be able to sleep; it makes me very awake! What a wonderful American company, with such a great advertising history! If you visit the Atlanta area you should take the tour.

Coke Roast

1 small frozen roast (1.5-3 lbs)
1 pkg dry onion soup mix
1 jar sliced mushrooms, undrained
1 can Coke
salt, pepper

Place frozen roast in crock pot; sprinkle w/ salt and pepper. Mix Coke and onion soup mix until dissolved. Pour over roast and add mushrooms. Cook on low for 6-8 hrs.



5 Minute Corn Relish

2 cans (12 oz. each) Mexican-style corn, drained
1/2 C chopped celery
1/2 C chopped red onion
1/4 C white vinegar
1/4 C light corn syrup
1/2 tsp celery seeds
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients until well-blended. Cover tightly and chill until ready to serve.


Monterey Ranch Bread

2 C (8 oz.) shredded MontyJack cheese
3/4 C ranch salad dressing w/ bacon
1 loaf French bread, unsliced
2 TBSP butter or margarine
minced parsley

Combine cheese and salad dressing; set aside. Cut bread in half lengthwise. Brush w/ butter and place on baking sheets. Broil 4" from the heat until golden brown. Spread w/ cheese mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 min. or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle w/ parsley. Cut into 1 1/2 " slices. 6-8 servings

Today I will be linking to LifeasMom.com for the recipe swap.

Free Summertime Fun That Lasts a Lifetime

There is a source of summertime fun in your neighborhood that is absolutely free. You don't find valuable, free sources of entertainment everyday. If you have children, ones old enough to sit up, all the way through high school age, you definitely need to take advantage of this freebie! It's called the Public Library.

Every summer, most of the public libraries offer summer reading/listening programs for children; all you have to do is apply for a library card, and once you get it , take them to sign up. It's that easy! They will probably be given a card or booklet , in which you can list the books as you read them to your child (for the very young) or as they read them for themselves. After a certain number of books are read, there's usually some kind of reward; a small prize or their name put in a drawing for a larger prize. The rules and rewards vary from place to place, but you get the idea. The real reward for your children is the beginning of a love of reading that will last a lifetime! The bonus is all of the great memories your children will have of summer trips to the library, and the fun programs they enjoy there.

That's right, many of the library's summer reading programs include a schedule of live performances including different subjects throughout the summer. Many summers ago, I took my sons to Snakes Alive at the library where a snake expert shared his knowledge and his live snake exhibit; they got to help hold a huge snake and learn about the differences in poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, and what to look for (great before summer camping season!) . We've been to a drum concert, where the children got to try out the different instruments; a 911 Emergency exhibit where firemen and EMTs came and showed their life-saving equipment, and the children got to try on parts of the fireman's gear; a library "boot camp" where a National Guard drill sargent put them "through their paces" and later they had their faces painted in camo design; and one of their favorite experiences was when Abe Lincoln and his wife, Mary, showed up to talk to them about earlier times in American history. For the younger folks there's usually a "Story Hour" or" P.J. Time" with a Children's Librarian or volunteer reading stories aloud. This is wonderful for younger children; it builds their excitement and anticipation of their upcoming reading experience. The folks at local libraries are creative and they know what interests children. The offerings will vary from summer to summer, but you can be assured that your children will find something they like, even the teenagers. Don't be surprised if they beg to sign up every year!


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The theme of this year's Summer Reading Club here in Lawton is: Be Creative@Your Library and is going on from May 25th through August 7th. The main library is located at 110 SW 4th Street. You can call (580)581-3450, ext 5 for more information

There is also a summer movie schedule on Fridays and craft classes every other Thursday. One class is available for ages 3-11, and one is available for teens, 12-18. You can call the number above or stop by and pick up the info.
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See you at the library!