From My Window

Church Cookbook Kind of Day

By Jane Thibodeau Martin,



**********

I arrived home from church on a fall day. It wasn't crisp autumn-like weather, but the calendar, at least, said it was time for fall comfort food. So I got out my collection of "church cookbooks" and started browsing.

Church cookbooks are typically fundraisers, with the recipes contributed by church members. "Church ladies" (an inappropriate term as many men are active participants in food-related activities at churches) are famous for their good, comfort-type food.

I have a small collection of them, ranging from one from 1985, the parish of Sacred Heart in Marinette, where Mike and I attended before we were married; to one from our parish in Oklahoma, St. Clements. Looking through them, I recognize so many names; many of the recipe contributors long gone on to their heavenly rewards. The books evoke a lot of memories of our lives, and I'd keep them for that value alone.

But I also prize them for their common-sense approach to cooking. No fancy utensils needed; I probably have the necessary ingredients on hand. They are heavy on Jello salads, (something I haven't had in at least 15 years,) and ingredients like canned cream of mushroom soup; cheese, butter, sour cream and mayonnaise. Not much in the way of the healthy eating habits we try to follow now, but awesome for a cold night nostalgic splurge. There is no reference to the term "pasta," just noodles, and those are always "buttered." The recipes even recommend buttering rice, something I can't even contemplate.

There are no microwave references in most of my cookbooks, those were not common when these recipes were recorded.

The book that I treasure most is from what is now our home parish, St. Patrick's of Halder. Our copy of their 1979 cookbook belonged to Mike when we married; and has his annotations on some recipes and some splashes of frosting on a few pages. The names of contributors are still family names in our little parish; Mike remembers nearly all the contributors, but some I only recognize from seeing grave markers in the small church cemetery.

Family farmers were heavily represented in the church parishioners at the time of the Halder book publication, and that influence is obvious. There are two pie dough recipes in the book; one makes six crusts and one five. Big families, I guess; if you were making pie one wouldn't be near enough.

There is a large section on home canning, including recipes for canned fish. There is a "sausage making" section, something you don't see in modern cookbooks, on trendy TV shows or in on-line cooking content. Included is the recipe for "blood sausage." Not for the faint of heart; you needed one "fresh hog head from a 225 pound hog, seven pounds of fresh hog skin, and six pounds of fresh blood." I just can't imagine hauling a pig head into my kitchen, but the dogs would think it was the greatest day ever. There are no directions for washing this head, or removing eyeballs and teeth or anything at all, because the people consulting the recipe apparently already knew how to deal with that part of the process.

The recipe for head cheese also calls for a similar sized hog head, plus "the snout if desired, the tongue and the heart." I picture myself polling the kids as I make the head cheese, "hey, do you want it with snout or without?"

And of course liver sausage, which only requires half a hog head (I imagine hacking a hog head in half and quickly banish the disturbing mental picture from my brain) along with "liver to taste." (Who knows how much that would be? Possibly none?) And a "handful" of marjoram.

The largest sections of the book are devoted to homemade bread, rolls and baked desserts; and soups and chili. It is a reflection of the diets of hard-working farm families ?? not much risk of putting on too many pounds when you labor from sunup to sundown to make a living.

There are also recipes for homemade soap and other household necessities that are not food. It was "technology" needed by farm wives; used to making do, not wasting anything, and caring for a large family while assisting with farm chores. Frequent trips to the store to pick things up didn't happen. You might not be able to afford to do so, either in time or in money.

This cookbook is where I got the recipe that has become one of my winter favorites, cabbage rolls. Long ago, I adapted the basic recipe in the book to my own tastes, adding sun-dried tomatoes, and substituting enchilada sauce for the canned tomato soup. But when I wanted to try making them for the first time 35 years ago or more, this cookbook is where I went. It is as essential to me as my old orange "Betty Crocker" bible, with its broken bindings and my notes.

The church cookbooks are a trip down memory lane; a reminder of church members who went before us; and a solid resource in cooking and baking some basics, as long as you have someone to show you how to deal with hog heads the first time you make sausage. These days you can "google" any recipe you want on your cell phone, and paper cookbooks are an endangered species. But not at my house.



You can reach me for commentary, alternative viewpoints or ideas at this e-mail address: JanieTMartin@gmail.com.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
11-24-2021	Front Page	Future USS Marinette Christened On Nov. 20
11-24-2021	Front Page	City of Peshtigo Approves 2022 Budget and Tax Levy
11-24-2021	Front Page	Crivitz Okays Budgets, Sets Election Inspectors
11-24-2021	Front Page	Pound Adopts Balanced Village Budget For 2022
11-24-2021	Front Page	Town Chair Cindy Boyle Lists Meetings & Activities
11-24-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Wrestling Sign Ups Nov. 30
11-24-2021	Community - Coleman	Equity Hall December Community Events
11-24-2021	Community - Coleman	Samara Van Ark is Lena Lions Student of Month
11-24-2021	Community - Coleman	Oconto County To Give Covid Shots At Lena School Dec. 15
11-24-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz American Legion Christmas Party Dec. 15
11-24-2021	Community - Crivitz	Jolene Huc Resigns Community Ed Post
11-24-2021	Community - Crivitz	New Transportation in the Crivitz Area
11-24-2021	Community - Crivitz	Northwood's Apostolic Thanksgiving Dinner
11-24-2021	Community - Crivitz	Town of Stephenson Okays Purchase Of Building In Crivitz
11-24-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Lions Donate $750 to Labor of Love
11-24-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive Is Monday, Nov. 29th
11-24-2021	Community - Wausaukee	SCFRA Children's Christmas Party
11-24-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Annual Wausaukee Turkey Trot Nov. 25
11-24-2021	Sports	Coleman Falls to Reedsville in D7 Title Game
11-24-2021	Sports	Four Marines Named to NEC's First Team
11-24-2021	Sports	Bulldogs Maul Marines in Early Season Non-Conference Play
11-24-2021	Sports	Kids Ice Fishing Derby is Feb. 12
11-24-2021	Sports	ATV/UTV Riders: Think Smart Before You Start During Gun Deer Season
11-24-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
11-24-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
11-24-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Daniel J. Anderson
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Rhonda Jo Bowerman
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Bill J. Haluska
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Germaine M. Howarth
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Deloyd J. Lindstrom
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Howard N. Race
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Richard Schroeder
11-24-2021	Obituaries	Norma J. Stoneburner
11-17-2021	Front Page	Coleman Football Wins First Ever Berth At State Tourney
11-17-2021	Front Page	BPM Wastewater Unit To Open In November
11-17-2021	Front Page	Town Residents Address Peshtigo Board Meeting
11-17-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo School Replaces Old Unrepairable Boiler
11-17-2021	Front Page	Pennings Heads Biker Cancer Benefit Group
11-17-2021	Community - Coleman	Hillside Thanksgiving Dinner Set for Nov. 24
11-17-2021	Community - Coleman	Give Tour of Remodeled Rescue Squad Building
11-17-2021	Community - Coleman	Lena Centennial Countdown Begins
11-17-2021	Community - Coleman	Over 200 Attend Suring School STEAM Night
11-17-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Essay Contest Winners Announced
11-17-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz 2nd Graders Thank Veterans
11-17-2021	Community - Crivitz	Northwoods Apostolic Church Thanksgiving Dinner Nov. 25
11-17-2021	Community - Crivitz	VFW, Legion Knife and Gun Show Season Ends
11-17-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Annual Wausaukee Turkey Trot Nov. 25
11-17-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee OKs Lubka For Snowmobile Route
11-17-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee School Veteran's Day Program on Nov. 11th
11-17-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Hunters Supper at St. Augustine Parish
11-17-2021	Sports	Coleman Rallies Past Regis For Div. 7 Title Shot
11-17-2021	Sports	Packerland Names All-Conference Athletes
11-17-2021	Sports	Bulldog Girls Open Basketball Season With Hard Fought Win
11-17-2021	Sports	Newman Catholic Wins 8-Player Football Title
11-17-2021	Sports	Neumann Inducted Into The WWCA Hall of Fame
11-17-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
11-17-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
11-17-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Beverly G. Allard
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Robert L. Bangert Sr.
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Viola E. Beal
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Elwood R. Bengry
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Norbert "Nubs" A. Betley
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Randolph R. Blunden
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Bruce W. Braun
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Nathan T. Dahl
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Arthur L. Gummin
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Elizabeth Hagen
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Ruth M. Isenberg
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Shelly A. Majewski
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Robert S. Opsahl
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Pearl J. Pichette
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Sandra L. Pociask
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Stanley B. Sopkowicz
11-17-2021	Obituaries	William J. Tessier
11-17-2021	Obituaries	Roberta M. Wagner
11-17-2021	Obituaries	John G. Wendler
11-09-2021	Front Page	Nearing Completion
11-09-2021	Front Page	County Board Sets Pay, New Districts Lines For Supervisors
11-09-2021	Front Page	City Water, Sewer To Consider Peshtigo Town Water Supply
11-09-2021	Front Page	Culvert Issues Plague Peshtigo Town Board
11-09-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo School Board To Discuss Property Purchase
11-09-2021	Community - Coleman	House Fire Claims The Life of Coleman Man
11-09-2021	Community - Coleman	Pound Budget Down 3.18%, Hearing Is Monday, Nov. 15
11-09-2021	Community - Coleman	Wichmann To Speak at Faith Christian Nov. 13
11-09-2021	Community - Coleman	Lena School Board Finalizes Budget, Levy
11-09-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Legion Post to Celebrate Marine Corps Birthday Nov. 10
11-09-2021	Community - Crivitz	Peshtigo River Center Flea Market Nov. 20th
11-09-2021	Community - Crivitz	Country Gospel Jam Changed to Nov. 12
11-09-2021	Community - Crivitz	Northwoods Apostolic Thanksgiving Meal Nov. 25
11-09-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Hunter's Bake Sale Friday, November 19
11-09-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Hunters Supper at St. Augustine Parish
11-09-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Lions Medical Equipment to Loan Out
11-09-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive Is Monday, Nov. 29th
11-09-2021	Sports	Coleman Beats Top Seed Hurley, Moves to Level 4
11-09-2021	Sports	Blue Devils Bow Out in State Semi
11-09-2021	Sports	Avoid Ash Trees When Placing Deer Stands
11-09-2021	Sports	Announce Temporary Closure of Peshtigo Shooting Range
11-09-2021	Sports	Five Volleyball Champs Crowned
11-09-2021	Sports	WIAA 8-Player Football Title Game Slated for This Week
11-09-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
11-09-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
11-09-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Clarence Aland
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Chad L. Atwood
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Paulalu E. Baxter
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Caroline A. Champion
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Halina Duda
11-09-2021	Obituaries	James H. Fischer
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Joseph R. Heinz
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Virginia L. Husbeck
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Randall T. Lavarda
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Richard A. Lesperance
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Helen M. Lindquist
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Harvey E. Noll
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Leigh Rupert, Jr.
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Allen J. Salewski
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Jerry L. Salewski
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Wendy L. Schultz
11-09-2021	Obituaries	Pamela A. Snowtala
11-04-2021	Front Page	Halloween Fun
11-04-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo To Keep Tax Rate Unchanged For 2022 Budget
11-04-2021	Front Page	County Board To Finalize Supervisor Districts Nov. 9
11-04-2021	Front Page	Detective Troy Ugoretz Is New Crivitz Police Chief
11-04-2021	Front Page	Marinette Approves 20 Year Comprehensive Plan
11-04-2021	Community - Coleman	Pound Village Board To Meet On Nov. 8
11-04-2021	Community - Coleman	Community Thanksgiving Dinner Set For Coleman/Pound Nov. 24
11-04-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Utility To Meet Nov. 8
11-04-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Board To Approve Budget, Capital Outlay Plan
11-04-2021	Community - Crivitz	Legion Auxiliary Donate $2300 to Hospital, Veterans
11-04-2021	Community - Crivitz	Veterans Day Program at Crivitz Nov. 11th
11-04-2021	Community - Crivitz	NEWCAP/Crivitz Music Dept. Holiday Craft Show Nov. 20
11-04-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Woman's Club Holiday Auction Nov. 11
11-04-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Junior Halloween Raffle
11-04-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Hunters Supper at St. Augustine Parish
11-04-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Post, Auxiliary 66 to Meet Nov. 6th
11-04-2021	Sports	Cougars Win; Season Ends for Titans/Maroons
11-04-2021	Sports	Blue Devils Are State Bound
11-04-2021	Sports	Gillett Medalist Alex Peterson Paces Area Runners at State
11-04-2021	Sports	WIAA State Boys Soccer At Uihlein This Weekend
11-04-2021	Sports	WIAA Selects Competitive Balance Ad Hoc Committee
11-04-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
11-04-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
11-04-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
11-04-2021	Obituaries	Sharon L. Boyer
11-04-2021	Obituaries	Betty J. Cherry
11-04-2021	Obituaries	Bruce A. Delaet
11-04-2021	Obituaries	Dale W. Dubrow
11-04-2021	Obituaries	David W. Holmes