As a teenager I longed for the store bought cookies and frozen meals that many of my friends had stocked at their homes. And later in life I realized I was blessed to have been deprived of these – to be able to experience home prepared, clean food – something we’re all trying to get back to today.
From Gerry
This little book is a big part of my life. Think of me when you use it or read it or reminisce about a recipe. So, I give you the best of me. ‘With All My Love and a Couple of Calories, too!’
I can’t remember when my love of recipes and cooking started. It was probably instilled somewhere at birth. I don’t even know how or when I collected so many recipes, they just appeared to take over my space. I can honestly say I have never passed up a magazine or cookbook no matter where it is. Every doctor’s office, dentist’s office, beauty shop, or any waiting room has magazines and all have recipes. Sometimes I liked the whole magazine and just took it with me. Other times, when no one was watching, I carefully tore out the recipes. This has to be done very discreetly so no one around you knows what you’re doing. I’m a ‘quiet ripper’. These go discreetly into my purse or pocket with the thought of “I’ll make it soon.” I also have a bookcase full of cookbooks and I buy one from all the countries and states I have visited. I’m sure there is some psychological reasoning behind my pack rat saving of recipes. Even after working in psychiatry, I have never divulged this to another person (now I managed to put it in print).
There are no nutritional values listed in my recipes, no calorie count or fat grams. If you’re going to cook and enjoy a recipe, do it the way it is. Just don’t eat the whole thing. Many of these recipes you will never make, too much trouble, takes too long or just don’t want to. For whatever reason, I love to cook and love recipes and I wanted to share these. Some of these recipes are so much a part of our heritage and I hope you will pass this along to your children.
