Greater Midwest Foodways Alliance

FAMILY HEIRLOOM RECIPES

2015: Family Favorites Never Served to Guests 
(or whatever you want)

Indiana State Fair

August 13, 2015

 

 

(Image by Peter Engler)

 

 

Honorable Mention:

Love Boats

Jennifer Dickie, Greenwood, Indiana

 

 

THIS IS IT!!! FINE DINING AT IT’S BEST!

 

I still make this meal for my husband, children and grandchildren. They warm my heart with memories …

 

WHAT DOSE MARTHA STUART, JULIA CHILDS, EMILY POST AND JUNE CLEVER HAVE IN COMMON? MY MOTHER!!!!!!

 

I laugh at the re-runs of Leave it to Beaver. June was always perfectly dressed, pearls and all, with the spotless house and still able to be a loving mother and wife. That was my Mom! Not June Cleaver!

 

Manners were a major deal in our house. White cotton gloves were worn every week to Sunday school or lunch at Ayres Tea Room for that very special occasion. I still know to say Please and Thank You to everyone I meet. Thank you notes were and are a must! That’s my Mom! Not Emily Post!

 

My Mother did not know how to cook until she married my Father in 1942. She learned fast and loved learning everything she could about the science of food. She started entering the Indiana State Fair for the first time in 1950, winning nearly 400 ribbons during the next 35 years. Wrote and published her own cookbook.

That’s my Mom! Not Julia Childs!

 

When it came to parties, she was the queen of hosting. Weather it was a holiday open house for 80 adults or 80 children, business dinners for my Father, or being in charge of hosting dinners for all the different functions at our church, she did it with style. Every meal she put together had love as the number one ingredient. That’s my Mom!

NOT MARTHA STUART!!

 

As far back as I can remember, these “Love Boats” were a favorite of mine and my 3 siblings. Leftover mashed potatoes were a dream waiting to come true. But my Mom always made sure we had a balanced diet. So, yes we had to eat the bunnies in the garden.

 

I’m sure if my Mother had served these Love Boats at some of my Father’s business dinner parties, he would have gotten every promotion and bonuses possible. Maybe even a pony for his kids!! But we would have had to write another thank you note, so I’m glad she kept the Love Boats for our special dinners!