Book Description

A PRECIOUS DISCOVERY As it was summertime and holiday period, I started renovating my parents’ house. With trembling emotion I came across some maps and notebooks that timeworn—some were culinary recipes, others were tips for the household, written by my great grandmother—Tudora and completed by my grandmother Elena. Probably between 1918–1924, judging by its appearance, it had been written and used in a school for girls, where household courses were taught (teachers had studies in this field and diplomas were awarded). After a time of great emotion, I realized that it would be good to let those around me know about my discovery, especially since I noticed a historical coincidence, the year 2018 being a centenary of the Great Union Day that every Romanian celebrates on December 1st. Among the writings forgotten in the attic and discovered by me, there were books of theological courses and a watch that belonged to my mother’s father, Efrem Ionescu—priest and Conservatory graduate. An outstanding figure of his time and region (together with Saint Calinic, he founded the church in Bueşti, Ialomita), he was spoiled every day of his life not only by his grandmother Elena (teacher of tens of generations), through the joy of the healthiest and tastiest food, but also by his mother—Paraschiva and his mother-in-law—Tudora. It was like going back in time. One of the notebooks is presented to you today to make use with the pleasure of the recipes and tips of the 1920’s, but also to compare these recipes with others, collected in time. The book is in fact a basis for what was commonly eaten in those times. Of course, I will also publish in a subsequent volume the other recipes I discovered, but I decided to present, above all, this booklet, taking advantage of the relaxing moments offered by the summer. This is how it is that today, almost 100 years after its writing, my great grandfather’s book makes sure we will not forget what the main recipes and tips in any settlement were. The pages of today’s booklet are packed with photos from which it appears that their way of socialization was much stronger than today’s. The housewives of the time excelled in culinary arts, competing in the preparation of the dishes, enjoying them every week when they met in the family. At one point, the communists seized power and confiscated their assets, many of them inherited; only a few objects have escaped, and the scars still remain now, only to be transformed into stars. One of the pages of the booklet presents the confiscation report and shows what was taken exactly at some point. However, what belonged to education and, in essence, to the main heritage of the family, was saved. Read the book to find out much more... Cristina Popa Tache