More From Ottawa Kitchens
I bought this cookbook at the local elementary school's used book sale. Published in 1960, the inside cover says Recipes From Ottawa Hostesses compiled for the benefit of The Canadian Save the Children Fund. It has probably rmained in the neighbourhood for its entire 50+ years, judging from the advertising. Many local businesses sponsored the book, and the addresses are largely from the Village of Rockcliffe Park (now part of Ottawa), the neighbouring community of New Edinburgh, the Byward Market just to the west, and downtown Ottawa. Some of the businesses are still here. Others have changed owners but continue to provide the same services. My favourite was from a sheet music store I haunted when I first moved to Ottawa nearly 30 years ago. It disappeared when its downtown location was converted into space for Library of Parliament research staff. Now the location is used as office space for Members of Parliament.
The contributors are equally interesting. Each of the ladies contributed under their married name (ie Mrs. husband's name), but also signed their own name. They represent a who's who of Ottawa society at the time. We have the owners of a chain of grocery stores, the founding parner of a very large law firm, the owner of a radio station, wives of many ambassadors (both Canadian and foreign), a Baroness, cabinet ministers, and senior public servants (two were the equivalent of what is now called the Clerk of the Privy Council, the most senior public service job in Canada). Others were from the families of former lumber barons, now mostly remembered by streets that are named for them. One was the owner of the Ottawa Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, and also the league's president.
I have also found a recipe from the then-mayor (Charlotte Whitton), and one who would become mayor 30 years later (Jacqui Holzman), as well as the first woman Senator, one of the famous five women who fought the Persons Case that gave women the right to be recognized as persons under the British North America Act.
There are two recipes from the head chef of Government House, now known as Rideau Hall, the official residence of our Governor General, the head of state and the Queen's representative in Canada. There is also a tuna casserole recipe from the wife of the Governor General (Roland Michener). Even better, I have a bread recipe from the wife of George Hees, the MP from my Grandma's riding, a cabinet minister who was caught up in the Gerda Munsinger affair, a major cold-war era sex scandal. Best of all, I have the recipe for Canard Montmorency (Roast Duck with Cherries) from the wife of Lester B Pearson, Minister of External Affairs, Nobel Peace Prize winner, future Prime Minister and a personal hero, as well as Olive Diefenbaker's brownie recipe. Olive was married to John Diefenbaker, who was then Prime Minister.
Two may have a more personal connection. Mrs. Charles Burpee contributed an Onion and Tomato Sauce, and Mrs. E.N. Rhodes offered her recipe for Baked Bosc Pears. My son is friends with a Rhodes and a Burpee, both of whom live in the neighborhood. In the Burpee case, I know the family has been here for at least three generations. I must investigate to see if they are related. If this Mrs. Rhodes is related to the friend, then the family appreciation for fine food continues, as I am forever losing my son to dinners at their house.
I have only tried one recipe so far, (Mrs. H.J.) Marguerite McNulty's Glazed Pork Chops and it was delicious:
Buy loin chops, one or one and a quarter inch thick. Place in casserole or roast pan and on each put:
1 tablespoon thick chili sauce
1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
1 nott to thin slice of lemon
Pour in 1/2 cup water
Bake two hours in a 300F oven.
Just before serving garnish with two crossed strips of piment and a slice of stuffed olive.
The contributors are equally interesting. Each of the ladies contributed under their married name (ie Mrs. husband's name), but also signed their own name. They represent a who's who of Ottawa society at the time. We have the owners of a chain of grocery stores, the founding parner of a very large law firm, the owner of a radio station, wives of many ambassadors (both Canadian and foreign), a Baroness, cabinet ministers, and senior public servants (two were the equivalent of what is now called the Clerk of the Privy Council, the most senior public service job in Canada). Others were from the families of former lumber barons, now mostly remembered by streets that are named for them. One was the owner of the Ottawa Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, and also the league's president.
I have also found a recipe from the then-mayor (Charlotte Whitton), and one who would become mayor 30 years later (Jacqui Holzman), as well as the first woman Senator, one of the famous five women who fought the Persons Case that gave women the right to be recognized as persons under the British North America Act.
There are two recipes from the head chef of Government House, now known as Rideau Hall, the official residence of our Governor General, the head of state and the Queen's representative in Canada. There is also a tuna casserole recipe from the wife of the Governor General (Roland Michener). Even better, I have a bread recipe from the wife of George Hees, the MP from my Grandma's riding, a cabinet minister who was caught up in the Gerda Munsinger affair, a major cold-war era sex scandal. Best of all, I have the recipe for Canard Montmorency (Roast Duck with Cherries) from the wife of Lester B Pearson, Minister of External Affairs, Nobel Peace Prize winner, future Prime Minister and a personal hero, as well as Olive Diefenbaker's brownie recipe. Olive was married to John Diefenbaker, who was then Prime Minister.
Two may have a more personal connection. Mrs. Charles Burpee contributed an Onion and Tomato Sauce, and Mrs. E.N. Rhodes offered her recipe for Baked Bosc Pears. My son is friends with a Rhodes and a Burpee, both of whom live in the neighborhood. In the Burpee case, I know the family has been here for at least three generations. I must investigate to see if they are related. If this Mrs. Rhodes is related to the friend, then the family appreciation for fine food continues, as I am forever losing my son to dinners at their house.
I have only tried one recipe so far, (Mrs. H.J.) Marguerite McNulty's Glazed Pork Chops and it was delicious:
Buy loin chops, one or one and a quarter inch thick. Place in casserole or roast pan and on each put:
1 tablespoon thick chili sauce
1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
1 nott to thin slice of lemon
Pour in 1/2 cup water
Bake two hours in a 300F oven.
Just before serving garnish with two crossed strips of piment and a slice of stuffed olive.