My grandmother was a remarkable woman. She was a rancher. She was a birder. She was college educated with a degree in agriculture. She was involved in politics and was at one time the leader of my home town's regional irrigation district (the rough equivalent of mayor in the unincorporated rural town that I grew up in). She was active in the United church and an early proponent of both gay and female priests.
She was also a member of something called the British Columbia Women's Institute and as a result, I occasionally found myself underfoot at BCWI meetings when I was a child.
The BCWI is an interesting organization. In its over 100 years of history, the BCWI has:
- helped found two hospitals.
- lobbied successfully for changes in BC legislation that have forwarded women's rights.
- pushed for increased government spending on social housing.
- published one of the greatest cookbooks I have ever know.
I in no way mean to diminish the BCWI's other accomplishments, but their 1958 Centennial Cook Book (in honour of the BC centennial) is a true masterpiece. It is also increasingly hard to find. I had the great fortune last month to discover a used copy up for sale on Amazon. Written as it was in the meat and potato days of yore, it's true that not every recipe in the book fits into the healthy every meal category. I can attest, however that they are indeed delicious. I haven't hit bum one yet either in my youth or since the book's recent arrival through my mail slot.
Hopefully, I'm not breaking some ancient code of honour by sharing the following recipe for Sunshine Salad:
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup chopped apples
1 tsp minced onion or green pepper
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp orange juice
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp saltMix together shredded cabbage, grate carrots, chopped apples and minced onion or green pepper.
Place in bowl and chill in refrigerator. Mix together salt, sugar and fruit juices. Pour over ingredients and serve. Serves about 6.
