The Iseminger Family Cookbook

One thing that is really neat about the Iseminger family is their interest in geneaology and preserving memories and traditions for future generations. Some years ago, Grandma Iseminger (Mary Platt Iseminger) wrote a couple of books to that effect. It is pretty cool to think that in her later stages of life, my grandma became a writer. Anyway, one of the projects that came about through this geneaology stuff is a family cookbook. All factions of the family were contacted and their recipes compiled. It was published in 1990. A copy was given to every family member who wanted one. Occasionally I will consult the Iseminger Family Cookbook to get new ideas (or to resurrect old ideas). This past Thursday evening was one of one of those times.

Our neighbors from upstairs, Eric and Abbey Toohey, came down to hang out, watch The Office, and try the new Thanksgiving Blend of Starbucks coffee. I wanted something to serve with the coffee and, upon consulting with my husband, decided on gingerbread something-or-other. I went to the Iseminger Family Cookbook for suggestions and came upon the following recipe:

Gingerbread: From Edith Iseminger's Recipe File

4 T. butter or lard
1/4 C. molasses
1/4 C. sugar
1 egg
2 C. flour
1 tsp. soda
1 tps. ginger
1 C. boiling water

It was at this point that I realized I had all the ingredients and it would be a doable recipe. Then, I read the "instructions" (and I quote):

"That was all there was to that recipe. I know it turned out good every time. I can remember the smell of gingerbread baking on a cold day, that was heavenly! We cut it in good-sized pieces and heaped real whipped cream on it. That was good."

What in the world?! How is that supposed to help me make gingerbread? I called my dad, who shared a laugh with me about how I'm just supposed to know what to do with all the ingredients. He looked up a similar gingerbread recipe in the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook to see how to prepare it and gave those directions to me. The gingerbread actually turned out well (and for those of you wanting to give it a try, I'll include the real instructions at the end of the blog). It turns out that this is not the only recipe in the cookbook from Edith Iseminger's file that contains ambiguous instructions...I guess when I want to use them I will consult other recipe books to find out how to combine ingredients.

Anyway, I am thankful that my family has cared enough to preserve traditions and pass them on to the next generation. I know that not every family has that luxury and I am appreciative that mine does. Perhaps my siblings and I will compile something similar in the future? Hard to tell.

Directions: Beat butter/lard and sugar until creamy. Add molasses and egg, beat well. Mix dry ingredients together and add alternately with the boiling water. Bake in a 9x9 pan at 350 degrees for about 1/2 hour. Serve warm. (Goes well with Thanksgiving Blend coffee!)