Rediscovering Lost Treasures...

This year for Christmas I received an unexpected treasure, a very special old cookbook. If you follow my blog then you know that I covet old cookbooks and am a hoarder of sorts (check out my What's Old is New Again... entry). I couldn't wait to open it up and peruse the recipes of yesteryear. When I opened the cover to my delight I found that the previous owner had taken the time to clip recipes out of her local paper and glue them into the book. The book was originally published in 1931 and most of the news paper clippings are from the 1940's and early 1950's. I think that she probably lived in either Kansas or Nebraska (or both) because that seems to be where the clippings are from. Of course this makes me love her even more as my Mom's family is from Nebraska and that state has always held a special place in my heart. My lovely Midwestern matriarch, this is of course all in my head, but, nonetheless how I think of her, took the time to add helpful hints in her own hand that I will take with me. Her handwriting reminds me of my grandmother's and I love it. This book was clearly important to someone, someone who like me had a love of cooking. It is really amazing how this same book has connected the two of us through it's recipes. I will never know who she was, but, I like to imagine that she is looking down smiling as I cook the recipes that she so lovingly added to the pages of this wonderful treasure. This deliciously sweet, fresh and juicy dessert is one of those recipes that she added, it caught my eye almost immediately and boy am I glad it did. I tweaked it a tiny bit, but, not too much. This recipe is fantastic and easy, I will be making it again and again and hope you will do the same!

 

The Household Searchlight Recipe Book

The Household Magazine

Topeka, Kansas 1935

 

 

The original clipped recipe, carefully glued in place by our matriarch.

 

 

 

 

Banana Pineapple Whip

 

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mashed bananas

1/4 cup sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1 tbs lemon juice

1 20 oz. can  pineapple chunks, drained

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 cup of shredded, sweetened coconut

2-3 additional sliced bananas, for garnish

 



 

Directions:

• Combine bananas, lemon juice, sugar and salt.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture begins to boil.
• Remove from heat and place in refrigerator until chilled.
• Once the mixture is nicely chilled remove from fridge and add your pineapple chunks.
• Make your whipped cream in the bowl of an electric stand mixer or with a hand mixer, whip the cream until it forms soft peaks.
• Fold the fresh whipped cream into the banana and pineapple mixture. Garnish with additional sliced bananas and coconut and serve in your favorite dish! Enjoy!
• Serves about 4