Frieda's French Toast

This morning I made my men their hot breakfast. I made our traditional French toast and sausage for them. I used a recipe that Kevin learned from his sister. She had a Peanuts Cookbook. In the book was a recipe for Frieda’s French toast. Kevin has fond memories of his sister Linda making the toast for his brother and him. He continued to share how he learned to cook. Surprisingly it was not from his mother. She and I are alike in that we don’t share a passion for cooking. She and I like cookbooks though. She has taught me to make some pretty fabulous food that is pretty simple and good. Anyways, back to Kevin. His ex-girlfriend’s (yuck) mother hosted cooking classes in her home for Kevin. Her friends came over determined to teach this single college boy how to cook. He laughed as he told me how they tried to teach him how to make crepes and filled wontons. I think he stuck to instant breakfasts, and fast food.

My mom was a great cook. I wasn’t interested in learning how to cook when I was young. I liked to clean. My room was always spotless and rearranged often. I remember spending a summer in northern California with my aunt and cousins. My cousin taught me how to bake a cake and make lasagna. I think she taught me so I could make supper instead of her on some days. I felt so grown up and scared at the same time. I remember coming home and making it for my family. Mom liked it and would have me fix it when she needed a night off. As a newlywed adult, I would call my mom and have her walk me through preparation of certain dishes. I always hoped the dish would turn out because likely Kevin was going to have to pay a big phone bill at so many cents a minute (as charged back then) for the meal. Later in my marriage, I lived with my mother in law for a spell. She hosted sorority socials, and had guests for dinner, etc. She made great meals but truly they were not too complicated. I learned not only how to cook but hostess skills. I believe it was my mother in law who instilled in me a love to entertain.

When I was looking up, my sister in laws first cookbook, The Peanuts Cookbook, published in 1970, I got to thinking of my first cookbook. It wasn’t really mine but I thumbed through it for 2 years as a college student. It was my room mate's. She was my first experience with a “country” girl. I was a valley girl. She had the Fannie Farmer cookbook. She would make homemade pancakes, and oatmeal bread. I miss Sarah. My mother in law gave me my next cookbook. It was a 1950’s version of Better Homes and Gardens. I still have it. It has the recipe she uses to make beef stroganoff, Kevin’s favorite. When I got married, I received a Betty Crocker cookbook. Since then I have bought and sold many a cookbook. I read them thinking I would like to make this for so and so, or have a party and serve this and that. Sometimes I follow up on the thought and others are just good thoughts.

These days with the Food Channel and the Internet I wonder how the cookbook business is doing. I still buy them. I would like to hear what your first cookbook was and what your favorite cookbook is. Also check out the new poll.

Frieda’s French Toast
These are the ingredients for the batter. I don’t have exact measurements as in the cookbook but I am listing the measurements I use.
8 slices of bread
2 eggs
½ c. milk
1 tablespoon sugar
½ tsp. of cinnamon
1 tsp. of vanilla

Whisk together dip both sides of the bread and place on griddle to cook until golden brown on both sides.