Highly important trivia...
Throughout my years here at work, I've sat in the fika-room* and many a conversation has taken place wherein we discussed childhood treats. More than once, I've used the term "mormonmammorna" (The Mormon Mothers) to describe the cooks of most of the treats that I grew up with. As in "Mormonmammorna brukade laga rice-krispies treats" (The Mormon Mothers used to make rice krispies treats) and so on.
Now I think rice krispies treats has spread a great deal to other States as well, but here are some of the things they would make:
I'm sure there were loads of others, but these are the ones I can remember on the spot.
The other day, after another such conversation, d3katja asked me if there was a Mormonmammornas kokbok (Mormon Mothers' Cookbook). I also read something written recently by albionidaho where she described herself as living in the Jell-o Belt. She has a point there. (Now keep in mind, I don't call them mormonmammorna** for any snide reasons, but just because that's where I grew up, and they were the ones who made these things. I recall that when my grandma or mom would make treats to contribute to these same functions, they'd make totally different things, like, say, we'd go pick fresh water cress, and grandma would make water cress sandwiches. Just, a bit weird and different. So I don't know if she was rebelling in a way, or what, against the local norms, but, well, there it is.) My first thought, looking back on it, is that with all those kids, they wanted to do something quick and easy, but then, my family's contributions weren't more difficult, they were just...different.
In any case, tell me your thoughts. Tell me where you grew up, and what your childhood treats were. Tell me your theories on the Mormonmammornas kokbok. Tell me whatever you want, but tell me SOMETHING! :)
*Basically, like the livingroom/kitchen of the office.
**Also, it's fun to say "mormonmammorna" in Swedish. :)
Update!
I apologize for forgetting green jello salad, and how did I ever forget Funeral Potatoes?!?
Funeral Potatoes (classic)
6-8 potatoes, cooked, peeled, and grated or cubed
1/2 c. minced onion
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pint sour cream
1/2 c. grated cheese
3/4 tsp. salt
optionally:
2 tbsp. melted butter
1 c. crushed cornflakes
Spread potatoes in a buttered casserole dish. Heat soup, sour cream, and onion in sauce pan, then pour over potatoes, but DO NOT STIR. Sprinkle cheese on top if you’re Aunt Marilyn Crandall; if you’re Julie Nielsen, mix the cheese, butter, and cornflakes together, and then sprinkle them on top. Bake at 350 F. for 30 minutes.
This recipe is not limited to funerals of course, and can be used on any "special" occasion.
And finally, how silly of me not to know:
Now I think rice krispies treats has spread a great deal to other States as well, but here are some of the things they would make:
- Popcorn balls, in different colors
- Jell-o cake (where they poke toothpick holes in a plain white cake, and fill the holes with jell-o still in the liquid state.
- Divinity candy (primarily at Christmas)
- Chocolate/oatmeal no-bake cookies
- Kool-ade (always the drink of choice at any function)
- Pigs-in-blankets using Pillsbury dough from the can
I'm sure there were loads of others, but these are the ones I can remember on the spot.
The other day, after another such conversation, d3katja asked me if there was a Mormonmammornas kokbok (Mormon Mothers' Cookbook). I also read something written recently by albionidaho where she described herself as living in the Jell-o Belt. She has a point there. (Now keep in mind, I don't call them mormonmammorna** for any snide reasons, but just because that's where I grew up, and they were the ones who made these things. I recall that when my grandma or mom would make treats to contribute to these same functions, they'd make totally different things, like, say, we'd go pick fresh water cress, and grandma would make water cress sandwiches. Just, a bit weird and different. So I don't know if she was rebelling in a way, or what, against the local norms, but, well, there it is.) My first thought, looking back on it, is that with all those kids, they wanted to do something quick and easy, but then, my family's contributions weren't more difficult, they were just...different.
In any case, tell me your thoughts. Tell me where you grew up, and what your childhood treats were. Tell me your theories on the Mormonmammornas kokbok. Tell me whatever you want, but tell me SOMETHING! :)
*Basically, like the livingroom/kitchen of the office.
**Also, it's fun to say "mormonmammorna" in Swedish. :)
Update!
I apologize for forgetting green jello salad, and how did I ever forget Funeral Potatoes?!?
Funeral Potatoes (classic)
6-8 potatoes, cooked, peeled, and grated or cubed
1/2 c. minced onion
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pint sour cream
1/2 c. grated cheese
3/4 tsp. salt
optionally:
2 tbsp. melted butter
1 c. crushed cornflakes
Spread potatoes in a buttered casserole dish. Heat soup, sour cream, and onion in sauce pan, then pour over potatoes, but DO NOT STIR. Sprinkle cheese on top if you’re Aunt Marilyn Crandall; if you’re Julie Nielsen, mix the cheese, butter, and cornflakes together, and then sprinkle them on top. Bake at 350 F. for 30 minutes.
This recipe is not limited to funerals of course, and can be used on any "special" occasion.
And finally, how silly of me not to know: