In 1976 I was working for an attorney. I was supposed to be filling in for his secretary who was on maternity leave for six weeks but she decided not to come back to work; I decided I loved that job and stayed there for 5 years. When I left to go to work for a larger firm, I cried. The attorney kept saying “You don’t HAVE to go!” I knew I didn’t have to go but, if I was going to stay in that field, I needed to go to a larger firm where I could be a paralegal . . the rest is history.
Anyway . . the first attorney . . his wife gave me a first printing copy of the Pirate’s Pantry cookbook that was hot off the press because it had her Buttermilk Pie recipe in there and she knew how much I loved her pie.
It has been so well used and so loved for 44 years. The back cover is missing. The front cover is torn and almost gone. Pages are stained – the sign of a well used cookbook. I got it out the other day to make the squash casserole I love. It’s a recipe submitted by a lady who was an art teacher at my high school.
I’ve made hundreds of Buttermilk Pies. In fact, I just added buttermilk to my grocery order.
As I picked up the cookbook, this sheet of paper slipped out. It’s a recipe I had loved for years but the last time I made it, I wasn’t overly thrilled with it. Cheese and green beans didn’t seem to go together any more but, since I loved it for many years, I may make it one more time just to see what we think and if we still aren’t crazy about it, I will archive this recipe (stick it in the filing cabinet and keep it forever because . . well, it’s been around just too long to throw away!).
Dottie says
Love those old cookbooks!. I began my “legal” career as a legal secretary way back in 1969, continued through most of the 70’s (except when I took off to have kids), then from legal secretary to paralegal. Really enjoyed it and learned a lot.
Laura H. says
Maybe if you used real cheese instead of Velvetta?
Paula Philpot says
Judy I am bad about recipes, I just can’t throw them away even though I tried and didn’t like the recipe. Alot of mine are stained also but that shows how good the recipe is…..wonder if younger people will appreciate. Paula in KY
Nelle Coursey says
That almost sounds like the green bean casserole without the onion rings on it. You might try some of your dehydrated onions on it.
LK Smith says
I purchased that same cookbook last year. I wanted to learn to make Gumbo and Shrimp Creole. Have you tried those recipes? I just read the cookbook, but have not cooked one recipe yet. It is a great cookbook!
Judy Laquidara says
I have not used the gumbo or creole recipes out of the cookbook. I learned to make both of those many years ago (like 45 years ago) and I’ve just made it the same way all these years.
LK Smith says
Thank you, Judy. I really enjoy your blog. I have learned so much from your daily life!
Twyla says
Just had a buttermilk pie last week and it is one of my favorites. You can tell which of my cookbooks have been loved the most. I can sit down and read a cookbook like any other book and I have enjoyed many.
Susan Nixon says
Strangely enough, I understand your reasoning for not throwing it away!