Back in 1992, my son was at Primary School, and like all good Primary Schools we used to have a Spring Fair to raise much needed funds for the School. I used to run a home made cake stall and make the cakes and it always sold out, so for reasons that I can’t remember now someone suggested that I write a cookery book and someone else suggested that I write to ‘Famous People’ and ask them for their favourite recipes. Yes, I said thinking ‘Oh no, who came up with that silly idea?’ but took a chance and sent off a pile of letters to quite a few people, waited a while and then the replies started to come in, from people I never thought would ever bother from this ‘unknown’ Mum from a Primary School that no one had ever heard of.
The most wonderful reply that I received was from the Pope. Yes I took a chance and wrote to the Pope, who said that unfortunately he didn’t cook, but he would like to bestow the Papal Blessing on our school, the Teachers, the Children, and the Parents. The Head at the time put that letter on display where everyone could see it. I also wrote to George Bush, the then President of the United States of America. Mrs Bush sent us two lovely recipes and a beautiful hand written letter, and believe it or not I got a recipe from the Actor Clint Eastwood. I’ve got too many recipes to share on here in one go, so I’ll do it in several. I made it quite clear in my introduction to the book, this was not a book about me because at the time I hadn’t even published my first novel. This was a book about a school full of children. The most wonderful kids who were the future. One of those children is now a man and my Editor. A few we know what happened to, but like all children, most have gone their own ways. I’ve got my own copy of the Cookery Book still. I’m looking at it now so I can put up a few of the recipes. It’s a bit tattered. I actually called it Sugar and Spice and All Good Foods. Some of us ‘older’ shall we say might remember the older Celebrities, but enjoy some of the recipes if you do try them.
OLD FASHIONED BREAD PUDDING – BARBARA BUSH
8 slices raisin bread, lightly buttered
1/2-3/4 cup sugar mixed with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 quart milk mixed with 2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt,
extra fruit to taste
Method
Butter a 9 x 11 inch baking dish
Cut raisin bread into quarters
Put bread into dish, and sprinkle with sugar mix and fruit
Continue alternating the bread, sugar mix and raisins until gone
Pour the milk mixed with eggs, vanilla and salt all over until puffy and light for about 30 minutes.
Now Mrs Bush didn’t give me an oven temperature with this recipe but I baked mine on Gas Mark 6 and watch it carefully but we all know our own ovens.
POTATO CAKE’S
PHILIP SCHOFIELD – CHILDREN’S T.V. PRESENTER
Peel and boil sufficient potatoes for the amount of people needed.
When done, mash in the usual way with milk and butter until smooth.
Add enough flour to make into a stiff dough.
Roll out on a floured board and shape into individual circles about 1/2 inch deep.
Cook near the top of a hot oven for about 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown
Butter and eat immediately.
This book is full of lovely recipes, so I’ll put them up bit by bit rather than put dozens up all at once, but if you do try any of them, you definitely won’t be disappointed.
Carol Yeomanson Books 