For the past 101 years, the Guthrie family has met annually for a family reunion in August near Guthriesville in Chester County. Since Patti’s last name is Guthrie, we’ve been going for several years.
The most recent was on the 19th. Ages this year ranged from 5 to 90. Along with Guthrie “business” and a white elephant sale, there was the food. Everyone brought something to share. The variety was considerable and mostly home-made. Patti and I sat with people who not only appreciate food but also enjoy making it. The conversation about food got to mistakes made while preparing something.
Sharon told of her grandmother’s potato soup, the best she’d ever tasted. One time, when someone made it, she messed up by using sweetened condensed milk instead of the evaporated condensed milk called for in the recipe. The resulting soup was inedible.
I have told about the time we were getting ready for our annual holiday open house. I always made the food, starting a few days ahead. The evening before, I was preparing a dip I’d found in one of my cookbooks. Unknown to me, a breeze flipped a page in the book. As I checked the recipe, I saw the next ingredient was 2 cups of finely chopped onions. Not thinking about it, I added that. When I tasted it, the dip was terrible! So, I kept adding bland items until it tasted good. At the party, nearly everyone wanted my recipe.
Patti, who’s not a cook, then told of the time she decided to make dinner, specifically meatloaf from a recipe. While preparing it, she asked where the graham crackers were. Puzzled, I told her. The recipe called for “cracker crumbs,” both mixed through the meat and coating it. Her meatloaf looked picture-perfect but was awful.
Have you had a cooking disaster? If you don’t mind sharing it, with or without using your name – specify please, email me at guthrielarason@verizon.net. Let’s have some fun!
Enjoy and stay safe!
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