Posted by El Paso Times, TX on September 24, 2009 at 16:03:48:
Pillsbury 'Best of' collection re-released
Ruth Taber / Special to the Times
Pillsbury has reproduced its classic bake-off book that will take you back in time -- although the recipes are still easy to prepare. EL PASO -- In 1949, Pillsbury held its first baking competition: the Grand National Recipe and Baking Contest.
The successful event, held at New York City's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, was hyped by the media, which dubbed it the "Bake-Off Contest."
The name stuck, and in 1959, Pillsbury published a book containing the first 1,000 recipes from previous contests. As little girls played with their new Barbie dolls, "Gigi" won the Oscar, Elvis was making a name in music circles and "The Twilight Zone" was sending shivers down people's backs, home cooks were busy preparing the contest recipes, thanks to the company's giant new cookbook.
And now, if you're yearning for a bit of the good old days, you can revel in an authentic reproduction of the original book: "Pillsbury's Best of Bake-Off Collection, 1959" (Wiley Publishers, $29.95).
This delightful facsimile reproduction provides a nostalgic snapshot of an earlier era of baking -- along with Pillsbury's tips and advice for the home cook -- most often referred to as "housewife" 50 years ago. Pie crusts were made from scratch -- no chance of picking up a frozen or refrigerated crust at your local supermarket.
I found no mention of electric mixers or food processors; just good, old arm action did the job. (Maybe we should go back to those methods and improve arm muscle mass.)
The bottom line: lots of goodies in this book. With or without memories, you can enjoy multiple upside-down cake recipes or take advantage of the pear season with tempting pear desserts.
Dumplings, tarts, cookies, veggie casseroles, yeast cakes and breads -- they're all here -- and easy to prepare, thanks to short, concise directions.
Ruth Taber is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals; rtaber@elp.rr.com
Note: Readers can participate in Pillsbury's 44th Bake-Off by visiting the Web site, reading the 2010 finalists' recipes and casting their votes. Go to: www.pillsbury.com/bakeoff
Pecan Brownie Pie
Here's an easy pie -- made with pecans and chocolate -- guaranteed to please. The directions are as they appear in the book -- no list of ingredients at the top.
Preheat oven: 375 degrees.
Equipment: 9-inch pie pan.
Prepare recipe for one-crust pastry (the book offers a basic recipe; prepare your own, or if you're short of time, try a crust from the refrigerator case in the supermarket.
Combine 4 slightly beaten eggs and 1 1/2 cups of sugar.
Blend in 2 1/2 ounces melted unsweetened chocolate, 3 tablespoons melted butter and 1 cup chopped pecans.
Pour mixture into pie shell.
Bake, 375 degrees oven, for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool. Filling will set while pie cools.
(If you're looking for extra calories, you can garnish with ice cream or whipped cream when serving.)
Pecan Brownie Pie is adapted from Wiley's new facsimile edition of "Pillsbury's Best of the Bake-Off Collection, 1959."
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