Every time I open the door to the cabinet, I see—on top of a few Martha Stewart cookbooks that my husband liked—the little gray plastic box with the alphabet tabs for recipe index cards. The box was so stuffed that the lid never closed. When I hesitate a moment before getting what I opened the cabinet for, I tell myself that I really need to take time to go through those old recipes and get rid of those I know I’ll never use again.
The day finally came for me to weed the box of some tattered and yellowed index cards. What a trip down memory lane of good times and good people.
I was surprised at the number of recipes to which I attributed an “owner’s” name. Weeks after clearing out most of the recipes, I wish I had written down the names of the people I owe for the recipes.
Some that I remember include Grace’s Gooey Butter Cake and Potato Salad, Ginny’s Lettuce Bacon Salad, Bob’s Chicken Curry Casserole, Bettie’s Cornbread Dressing, Maw’s Pecan Crescents, Anne’s Marinara Sauce, Jacki’s Gravy, Jackie’s Mac & Cheese, Mary’s Broccoli Cheese Bake, Larry’s Squash Rolls, and Aunt Evelyn’s Fried Corn. And then there’s “What’s Her Face,” who gave me the recipe for the Texas Chocolate Cake. I didn’t have her name attached but I remember her clearly…except for her name, that is.
Each of these recipes found its way into my box because I had enjoyed the dishes made by the recipe-giver and wanted more. I thought I could replicate the dishes and make them for my family. I can say with all candor that my attempts at the dishes were never as tasty as the originals, but they were good enough for me to keep trying.
The best part of attempting these dishes was that the process always brought back memories of the people who unselfishly shared their recipes with me.
Gwen Dungy 