When looking for my Gefilte Fish recipe this morning, a day before Rosh Hashanah , I stumbled across my beloved mother’s ‘The Settlement Cook Book’. Those of you in my age bracket will surely remember. The cover is torn off, the back is broken, and stuffed inside are recipes on every size, shape, and kind of paper. Most of these recipes are in my mother’s hand writing, a few from my sisters. Some of my mother’s say “Aunt Rosie’s Schnecken”, “Mrs. Wagner’s Coffee Cake”, and of course, “Bev’s Mondel Bread” known to many as kamish bread. (By the way, my mother left in a coupon for Spry.) The recipes give quantities for the most part, but then there is the old “you’ll know when there is enough flour”, or “knead until you think it’s ready” and as always, “a little pinch of sugar and salt.”

 Ma, I don’t know when there is enough flour and I’m not sure when the dough is kneaded and I can’t ask you. Why didn’t I listen to those directions when you told me, when you were here to show me? Well, I guess I was young and had a family to raise, things to do and I was too busy. I also never thought about making Yontif.  As I look through the recipes like "pickled fish", "boiled onions" and "fish head with water" I think, "No Ma, I don’t think so", but how come I can’t throw this little blue note paper away?

And then of course there are my sister Beverly’s recipes. They are more modern, the strawberry kugel that’s delicious with brisket or the easier version of our mother’s mondel bread, but just as great and loaded with calories (who worries at Yontif?).

Bev’s recipes are always in letters that she wrote to our mother or me. Her letters are filled with news about her family, maybe even details about something she bought.  The letters are from her earlier days in Charleston, SC. Usually included is a great recipe. I see her beautiful flowery handwriting and my tears fall on my arm as I read and re-read these letters knowing that this year I can’t tell her what I cooked or ask her what she is making. We lost Beverly last December. This will be the first year I see her name in the Book of Remembrance at Yiskor. I remember and miss her every day but seeing her name with my parents, in-laws, aunts and uncles will somehow hurt a little more.

Every Yontif or every time I have my family together, I always make some of my mother’s and sister’s recipes, the carrot mold, the honey cake and I guess the smell , the taste, even just reading their recipes in their handwriting makes me feel closer to them and it  helps to continue the traditions.

So enjoy your recipes this New Year and may the sweetness of them bring you good health and a year filled with peace.

Buddee

 

By the way, if you have any questions, or have ideas for something you’d like me to write about, email my daughter and she’ll tell me (I’d say to email me, but…well…let’s just say I’d won’t be giving advice on how to use a computer.)

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