The Writing Party

By Mary Discenza, Director, The Writing Party

The Mysterious Yam Recipe

My mother passed away many years ago, but I never miss her more than just before Thanksgiving, when I haul out the cookbooks, thumb through my recipe cards, and embark on an online search to locate what I’ve come to think of as The Mysterious Yam Recipe caper.

My Mom’s Yam Recipe: Not The Standard

Mom’s yam recipe was not the mashed, marshmallow-topped casserole which graces so many Thanksgiving tables these days. Mom made candied yams on the stove in a sauce pan; sizeable chunks of al dente boiled yams swimming in a syrupy, perfectly viscous sauce which didn’t run all over and intrude on the turkey, stuffing and veggies those yams shared spaced with on the plate.

While growing up, I watched my mom make this recipe many times, but I never thought to ask her to write it down. Since she’s been gone, I’ve attempted numerous times to duplicate the dish, but I have yet to achieve success. Either the yams are overcooked and mushy, or undercooked and too firm. The sauce is either too thin, too sweet, or too gritty.

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A Continuing Search: No Luck

I’ve consulted relatives, friends, and chefs, cookbooks and on-line search engines, to no avail. With each failed attempt I berate myself: Why, oh why didn’t I ask Mom to write down that candied yam recipe? It was my favorite part of the Thanksgiving feast, and now it’s gone forever.

Ask, Share, And Write it Down!

So you see what I’m getting at here, don’t you? If there’s a delectable dish lurking in your family or friends’ repertoire of recipes, ask them to share it with you. In writing. If you have a special recipe, a gourmet delight which garners praise every time you make it, write it down.

And while you’re at it, along with the ingredient list and cooking directions, how about including a sentence or two recounting a memory you connect with the recipe. Maybe offer a tribute to the cook who created it, or describe a special occasion when your culinary talent was especially acclaimed. That little touch can be the perfect “extra ingredient” to make your recipe remarkable.

Record your family’s famous sayings for future generations. Find out how in our article “Make Time for Mangled Mottos, Timeless Terms and Your Family’s Famous Phrases.”

Bonus Strawberry Parfait Pie Recipe

I’ll close now with a recipe my mother did write down, which is my favorite Thanksgiving dessert. For those who are not particularly fond of pumpkin pie, (and I am one) my mom’s recipe for Strawberry Parfait Pie is a crowd pleaser. (See photo above.) You’ll note my own added comments.

Strawberry Parfait Pie:

(Mom always made this pie the day before Thanksgiving. That’s because on Thanksgiving Day, she got up at 4 a.m. to prepare the turkey, stuffing, and candied yams.)

Ingredients:

• 1 store-bought graham cracker or chocolate crumb pie crust (Mom made this from scratch, but I choose the easy way!)
• 1 pkg. strawberry gelatin (4 oz. size)
• 1.5 cups water, divided use.
• 1 pint vanilla or strawberry ice cream (I learned the hard way, NOT “Slow Churned” ice cream, even if it’s on sale. You must use full-fat, high quality ice cream. Otherwise, your filling will not gel, and you will end up with strawberry soup!)
• 1 cup sliced fresh or frozen strawberries
• Whipped cream for garnish

Directions:

Dissolve strawberry gelatin in 1 cup boiling water. Add ½ cup cold water. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Add vanilla or strawberry ice cream cut in chunks. Stir until ice cream is melted.

Chill mixture in refrigerator until it begins to thicken and mound when spooned (about 30 minutes.)

Gently fold in strawberries.

Pour into pie crust shell and chill until firm, about 1.5 hours, or overnight. Before serving, top with whipped cream.

Add a new or favorite recipe to this year’s Holiday Newsletter. Get more ideas for your newsletters in our article “Writing Your Holiday Newsletter.”

Easy As Pie

Simple, right? There’s no need to write the Great American Novel here, just a sentence or two to personalize the directions and add a little of yourself into the ingredients. You now have an important piece of your family’s history and traditions to pass on to future generations. A framed recipe also makes a nice holiday gift for friends and family.

Finally, in tribute to my mom, who was a fan of Julia Child, here I’ll quote that famous chef: “Bon appetit!”

We would love to read about your family recipes and holiday traditions in the comments. And if you think you might have The Mysterious Yam Recipe I have been searching for, please, please let me know!

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