Blueberries feature large in the My Mother’s Cookbooks collection, muffins, pies, cakes, even blueberry vinegar. Some recipes have unusual names like Blueberry Grunt, Blueberry Bang Belly and Blueberry Buckle, a legacy of this delicious little berry’s reputation with those who came to live in Northern Appalachian/Acadian region’s coastal district. Today’s commercial harvest of wild blueberriesContinue reading “Buckle up…its Blueberry picking time”
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The ‘making’ of Cape Breton Pork Pies…
On the surface many areas of Northern Appalachia / Acadia appear to have been marked by the settlement of a single group of Europeans. The ‘tastes’ of the region are more reflective of the complexity and nuance of reality. Cape Breton Pork Pies don’t contain pork, but they do resemble the hat1. The origin ofContinue reading “The ‘making’ of Cape Breton Pork Pies…”
Blueberry Muffins…An Appalachian treat?
A classic recipe from the Northern Appalachian and Acadian region, wild blueberries grow through out the region from the Adirondacks to Newfoundland and Labrador. One of my favourite recipes in the My Mother’s Cookbook collection is for a ‘traditional’ blueberry muffin. As a child I thought blueberries only grew near the railway… that this BlueberryContinue reading “Blueberry Muffins…An Appalachian treat?”
Gratitude Season, Warm Spices and War
Mable Hunter Stewart’s war effort and her fruit cake. Harvest, Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day draws us toward feeling gratitude for nature’s bounty, for the effort, and sacrifice of others. Fall is a sort of Gratitude season that comes scented with warm spices. This guest blog post recalls a time when cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove wereContinue reading “Gratitude Season, Warm Spices and War”
Molasses cookies and knitted bandages…
The second blog profiling the life of women during war, and the service of veteran Marion Leane Smith Walls. The first blog War, Women and Warcake. The My Mother’s Cookbook recipe for Molasses Cookies, the rolled out version, demonstrates the skill of home cooks to ‘make do’. The recipe is an older style which datesContinue reading “Molasses cookies and knitted bandages…”
War, Women and Warcake
On this Indigenous Veterans Day I am happy to reshare this blog. It is one of two featuring the service of Marion Leane Smith Walls, don’t miss the new release which explores Marion’s WW2 service which lead to her being awarded the Distinguished War Service Medal… Molasses Cookies and Knitted Bandages. There are no lessContinue reading “War, Women and Warcake”
Plum pudding, Cook Scows, and Bake Ovens.
A seasonal reshare… It is pushing it a bit to call this recipe seasonal…ideally preparation of this traditional Christmas pudding would have happened long before the first week of November but ideal is not reality. The product will be delicious regardless, admittedly even more so the longer it has to cure. Betsey probably made oneContinue reading “Plum pudding, Cook Scows, and Bake Ovens.”
Kindness with a side of German Apple Cake…
It’s a great time to revisit some of the seasonally appropriate recipes, Gussie’s German Apple Cake recipe fits to a tee. The recipe in My Mother’s Cookbooks first blog is on repeat in my home at this time of year. When the varieties of apples available is at its peak, this recipe works with minimalContinue reading “Kindness with a side of German Apple Cake…”
Santa’s Helpers – A child’s Christmas 2.0…
My Mother’s Cookbooks Sugar doughnut recipe There is nothing quite as wonderful as the awe and happiness on a child’s face on Christmas morning. The novelty, the excitement, and their joy makes the effort and preparations for Christmas, worth it. We know it and yet it is easy to miss the underlying message… A minister’sContinue reading “Santa’s Helpers – A child’s Christmas 2.0…”
Poutine Râpée – Feast Food
A holiday feast recipe from the Acadian community of Southeastern New Brunswick… Resharing a post from 2021 in My Mother’s Cookbook 2024 Christmas preparation Series. I am amazed at home cooks and their ability to transform the ordinary into extra ordinary. There is proof of the importance of this in our traditional foods, which areContinue reading “Poutine Râpée – Feast Food”
My Mother's Cookbooks 