Christmas Cooking With Mam-Ma

 

by: Bobby McDonald

"Mam-Ma"

Hopefully, most of you have those treasured memories of going to your grandmother's house and enjoying an array of Christmas goodies that were "fit for a king," rich in calories, superb in taste, and just a tradition that lingers of what Christmas is suppose to be all about. Well, I certainly did....I was fortunate to have two grandmother's that were excellent cooks and made Christmastime and other holidays special.

My maternal grandmother, Mrs. Elma B. Crouch (a.k.a. "Mam-Ma) was the epitome of the "spoiling grandmother." Whatever our hearts desire was, that is what she cooked. And, those special requests were sure to be on the "side-table" when we arrived at her house for the holidays. Mam-Ma passed away on November 20, 2010, at the "ripe old age" of over 99 years, and her five grandchildren had each done their part in "wearing her out!" She was the beloved grandmother, cook, and friend that had reared, instructed, and played with us all! We were eternally blessed, and if anyone deserved a "permanent rest on high" it was Mam-Ma!

While cleaning out some of her belongings, last week, I found her treasured box of recipes and decided to share some of them with you. You may have to "read between the lines," on some of them, as she learned to cook during the Great Depression and just understood that some of the procedures were understood. But, here are some of my favorite Christmas recipes that she shared each Christmas, as long as she was able to cook:

 

 

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

 

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup milk

2 1/2 cups Oatmeal
Chopped nuts to taste (optional)

Mix together sugar, cocoa, butter and milk in a saucepan,
bring to a rapid boil, for two minutes. Then, stir in the oatmeal
and chopped nuts (if using).

Take off fire and stir until the mixture begins to cool. Drop by
generous spoonfuls onto waxed paper to dry.

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Mam-Ma's Tea Cakes

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup Crisco
1 teaspoon vanilla

Blend all ingredients in a mixing bowl and roll dough
out on a floured counter surface, using a cookie cutter
to cut into shapes or rounds.

Place cut-out cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet
and bake in 350 degree oven, until golden brown.

Great served warm!!!!

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Mam-Ma's Coconut Tarts

1 stick of butter
1 box of powdered sugar
1 can of Eagle Brand sweetened-condensed milk
4 cans coconut
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts

Mix the above ingredients well in a bowl and place in the
refrigerator for 15 minutes to cool.

Bring out and roll into small balls, placing back in the
refrigerator.

Meanwhile, in a double-broiler pan, melt:

1 1/4 cup chocolate chips
and 1/6th pound parafin.

When chocolate mixture is melted, dip each
coconut ball in chocolate, covering, and place
on waxed paper to harden.

 

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Mam-Ma's Coconut Pie

You can't just eat one! This recipe is for two pies!

 

6 eggs, divided
3 1/2 cups white sugar

6 (heaping) tablespoons flour
3 1/2 cups whole milk
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 tablespoons butter
2 pinches salt
1 can flaked coconut

Mix flour, sugar, and salt and place in saucepan.
Mix milk and egg yolks together and add to dry ingredients
in a saucepan, cooking over moderate heat until it thickens to
right consistancy.

Pour into two baked pie shells.

Beat together egg whites and 12 tablespoons sugar, topping
the above with the meringue, and sprinkle with coconut.

Place in oven and bake until meringue slightly browns!

Yeild - 2 pies

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Look for more Christmas recipes from Mam-Ma, including her classic Peanut Brittle, a Poverty Cake, and other great recipes from an "Old-Fashioned" cook!

 

Merry Christmas!!!

 

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