Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Coffee Talk Thursday: Why I Share My Recipes

image by Muffet

It is not only Coffee Talk Thursday, it is also the first of the month, so that means it's our Once-A-Month Cooking Festival, where we celebrate all things food. Today I thought I'd share something I wrote for the foreword of our church cookbook. It explains why I believe the best recipes are meant to be shared.

Food nourishes our bodies, provides comfort, ministers to physical needs, and brings families and friends together. It allows us to fulfill God’s command to show hospitality, as we invite friends as well as strangers in for a meal; and provide food for the hungry, the sick, and those rejoicing over a new birth or grieving the loss of a loved one. It also offers a unique platform for artistic expression for those who love to cook and bake.

God designed us to enjoy food. Consider the vast diversity in color, texture, flavor, smell and shape—all for our delight. As the late Edith Schaeffer observed in her book, The Hidden Art of Homemaking, there is the smoothness of the green avocado, the grainy feel of a red strawberry, the crispness of the pink watermelon, the crunch of orange carrots, and much more.

Cooking should not be thought of as a drudgery but an art.” -- Edith Schaeffer

Finding delightful new recipes is a treasure. The most cherished are usually those which come from a good friend or family member. You know it’s tried-and-true, but it’s about so much more than the food itself: the recipe becomes sentimental as you consider all that the person means to you.

Sharing a favorite recipe with a friend connects families together, as you enjoy the same meal, separately in your own homes. By passing on cherished recipes, you send the message: “This recipe has ministered to my family. May it also delight yours.”
 
That's why I don't believe in keeping recipes a secret.
 
Do you share yours or are they family secrets? If so, could you explain the mindset behind that for those of us who don't think the same way?
 
If you have a kitchen tip or cooking hint you'd like to share, or even a recipe (wink) as part of our Once-A-Month cooking festival, please link up to your post. As a courtesy, please link back to momsinneedofmercy.com.
 
One final note, it wouldn't be right to talk about sharing my favorite recipes without sharing my favorite recipes. So I am giving away one copy of our church cookbook, filled with 700 recipes from around-the-world. I will post the winner next Thursday. Good luck! It's a great one!

8 comments:

  1. Count me in for the cookbook giveaway...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would love a new cookbook!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have been wanting to read that book on Homemaking!! Need to order that...
    Thanks for sharing your recipes. I am looking forward to making the last one you posted.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Michelle LeichtyApril 02, 2010

    The church cookbooks are the best! Thanks for your fabulous giveaways!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would also love a new cookbook!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love sharing recipes! I'm always looking for good cookbooks to try out too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love sharing recipies, and getting great new ones from others. I love experimenting with new ones that I find as well. My favorite recipe books are church cookbooks. Thanks for offering this giveaway. I would love to try some of the recipes in it, I'm sure they are wonderful!

    What would you suggest using instead of the nuts for the Easter Cookies? I have a DD that is allergic. Thanks for your reminders and inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Hilary,
    I don't think the pecans are necessary--they just add a little crunch. I would try graham crackers instead, if you want a substitution. You could crush them in the baggie and then use the fine crumbs in the cookies instead of the pecans. If I think of another substitution, I'll let you know!

    ReplyDelete

ShareThis