Kiss the Cook-A Costello Family Cookbook

It's November, and you know what that means..Thanksgiving will be here before you know it.  To us that means family and friends gathering for food, fun and football! Our recipes this month will focus on that, and should you have any to share..by all means, it's not a party until everyone get's here!  Shoot us an email and maybe we'll feature your family favorite!

 

Last year my aunt collected recipes and photos from all the women in our family and complied them into a family cookbook for us all to share .  We now have a heirloom to pass on, and remember our family by, not to mention the secrets to some of our favorite meals.  

 

With the holidays approaching, why not compile your family recipes into a book as a special gift?  This can be done as elaborately, or as simply as you choose.  Patty, my aunt, put each one together by hand, collating and laminating every one and it's something I will pass on to my daughters.  Some different options would be:

-Scan each family members photo/recipe and compile on a disc for everyone.  How nice to have everything uploaded and accessible by computer?  No paper makes this one the green choice too.  

-Use a photobook service such as blurb, shutterfly or kodak?  Let someone else do the printing!

-Create a family recipe blog.  Typepad has easy templates, and one family member could be in charge of entering the original recipes and family photos.  Each year you could update with new recipes and family members (those who've married into the family).   

Regardless, it's so important to keep track of family heirlooms like these.  My aunt, in her dedication sums it up perfectly:

This Recipe book is dedicated to the Costello women, one and all, who in preparing some of the most memorable meals of my life, have helped to confirm how central food is to good times and a happy family.

Remember that one of the best things we can do is to continue the tradition of family gatherings with home cooked delights, such as those contained within.

-Patty Marston Harding, A Costello Family Cookbook

 

 

This weeks Kiss the Cook recipe is a lighter side dish, perfect for holiday potlucks, and after gorging yourself on holiday feasts.  Not that I gorge myself.  Ever. Nope. Not me. 

Cousin Genies Pasadena Rose Queen Salad

Mix in large salad bowl:

Baby Spinach

1 diced avacado

1/2 cup golden raisins or currants

1/2 cup toasted pine nuts

Mix Dressing ingredients in jar and shake.  Pour over salad at last minute and don't oversaturate.  Dressing will store well in refrigerator for up to two weeks:

1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp dried mustard

2 tsp finely ground pepper

1/2 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar

 

And don't forget to kiss the cook! 

some of the cookbook contributors, and Patty, far right

Comments

[Sara Costello Reardon]

Great post! How do I get one of these considering I am a Costello???

[Three Haute Mamas]

Please send all cookbook inquiries to to the author (Patty). I heard she sold out first run. Must have been that triple chocolate chunk cookie recipe. (she has yours-email her) xx K