EPI'S COOK BOOK ABCD: ALREADY BEEN COOKED AND DONE

By Epi Tapia

Today started as any other day, with the exception that today, I was getting a typewriter to start my cookbook. On May 10, 2013, my wife was looking for a recipe for a jalapeño quiche to prepare for Mother’s Day, May 12. As my wife was looking for this recipe, she looked through this big pile of papers. She made a “throw-away pile” and a “keep pile.” I had an “aha” moment, much like Oprah has from time to time; most of you can relate too. My thought was something like, This one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, recipes that endearing clients and friends had given us throughout the years. And as I picked up the pile and looking and reading through the recipes, this flood of memories surrounded me; the pile she has gathered is 90 percent recipes. I am one short of 100. Wow!

The cover of this work was painted by the artist:

Annabelle C. Doan

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662466595

Book preview

Mrs. E. F. White

Mrs. White taught me many things. I would say she was a transplant from another century. She was thin, gentle, humble, appreciative, and very much in love with her husband, Bud. She would always say just before he got to us, Remember, we can’t keep my Bud waiting. When she saw him, Mrs. White would light up like a teenager and have the most contented smile on her face as if it was the first time she had ever seen him.

She was very fond of sharing life stories about her life and her family. She once inherited a lot of jewelry from an aunt she was very fond of. She took me aside, shared all the jewelry, and asked me which one do you think is my favorite? I picked out the least pretentious pin, and she smiled and said yes. And I said, Pick out the one you think I would like. Yes, she picked the one I liked, which was a 3-karat diamond ring; we both laughed. And she said, Now, dear, you know I can’t give you any of this jewelry because it belongs in the family.

She loved champagne, and this is the only recipe I have never made. This recipe was given to her by her mother-in-law (Mom White).

Wassail Cider

2 gallons cider

1 teaspoon nutmeg

10 sticks cinnamon

10 cloves

Cook for 4 hours. Then add juice of 1 grapefruit, 3 lemons or 2 oranges, rind of 1 orange, and candied ginger. Serve hot in wassail cups. (One could spike this if desired.)

Jane Ames Knapp

If you are interested in your guests enjoying your party, this is the beverage of choice. If my memory serves me correct, it was the beverage that officers’ wives, whose husbands were beginning their careers in the Marine Corps, served when hosting a party. It was easy on the budget, as Jane said. When she wanted to get a quick attitude adjustment, this was my drink of choice and of my guests also. You make it in a pitcher or punch bowl.

Mrs. Jane Ames Knapp is the daughter of General Evan Ames who was responsible for the development of the Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel at 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California. Jane’s husband was Colonel Raymond Knapp.

Jane was the motivational speaker for the DMV of Southern California, the directing manager for the office in Calexico, California; Sacramento, California; Oceanside, California; and Yuma, Arizona. She also owned