I loved reading this. You are my Maida Heatter. I’d always been afraid to bake and Baking from my home to yours changed all of that. Happy Valentine’s Day! 💕
I love her books, never made these, must remedy that soon. I’m in Scotland, and not 100% sure where I bought my first book of hers, but I’m pretty sure it was the chocolate one. She was and still is such a friend in the kitchen through her writing. 💖. Dorie, your writing reminds me of her. I hope you did make her a cookie, that would be just perfect.
I have all of Maida Heatter's books and I treasure every one. Once, I was exclaiming to my father's youngest sister about her, and she said, "Oh, I loved her father, Gabe!" I said, "Seriously? Aunt Betty Jo, how did you know her father?" She said, "He gave out the war (WWII) news on the radio. I was 5 years old and all I knew was, when Gabe Heatter came on, you were supposed to cry!" (As her mother, my grandmother, did, with one son away in the war.) I have always loved that story. Long live Gabe and Maida! Big thanks to Dorie!
So it's not just me. I always remember having only unsweetened chocolate in my pantry for baking and now I almost never use it. It's interesting how times change, even in baking.
I have most of Maida's books and have been using them for decades. She has been my teacher and mentor for decades. I loved her too. Thanks for sharing your memories.
Dorie-I never knew you worked ( started) at The Soho Charcuterie! It was my second job in NYC in 1985- they closed the end of that year I believe.
And boy do I remember Globs! The baker then ( I was the Garde Manger making all the salads for the case) was a woman named Faye who really mastered them. i guess I'll have to make a memorial batch!
Reading of your apprehension and anticipation of going to work that first day reminded me of the same feelings I had many, many years ago when I was going to cook with Diana Kennedy. One feisty lady but what a memorable experience! Thanks for sharing.
I learned of Maida when I found some of her cookbooks on the discount table at Books A Million in the late 80s/early 90s. Wow! So many good recipes. And one of the simplest is one of the best: tea cakes. Basically 4 ingredients. It’s a cookie that used to depend on the quality of the eggs & butter a farm wife raised. Different than sugar cookies. Has so much sugar that it gets a caramel taste.
I wore out my first Maida Heatter's Book of Chocolate Desserts although I still have it (falling apart and full of notes); thank goodness! At a used book sale, I found another copy but I still put all my notes in the falling apart book. One of my favorite cookbooks! I haven't made these globs but every Christmas, my daughter looks forward to making and my neighbors look forward to receiving Chocolate Almond Sp-icebox Cookies.
It's pizza night in my house & the recipe link is just what I needed. The cookies are also a must try! Thank you Dorie, Michael, Maida and the Modernists!
I loved reading this. You are my Maida Heatter. I’d always been afraid to bake and Baking from my home to yours changed all of that. Happy Valentine’s Day! 💕
I love her books, never made these, must remedy that soon. I’m in Scotland, and not 100% sure where I bought my first book of hers, but I’m pretty sure it was the chocolate one. She was and still is such a friend in the kitchen through her writing. 💖. Dorie, your writing reminds me of her. I hope you did make her a cookie, that would be just perfect.
A magical story and cookie recipe. My work colleagues are going to love these! Happy Valentine’s Day!💕💕💕
I have all of Maida Heatter's books and I treasure every one. Once, I was exclaiming to my father's youngest sister about her, and she said, "Oh, I loved her father, Gabe!" I said, "Seriously? Aunt Betty Jo, how did you know her father?" She said, "He gave out the war (WWII) news on the radio. I was 5 years old and all I knew was, when Gabe Heatter came on, you were supposed to cry!" (As her mother, my grandmother, did, with one son away in the war.) I have always loved that story. Long live Gabe and Maida! Big thanks to Dorie!
So it's not just me. I always remember having only unsweetened chocolate in my pantry for baking and now I almost never use it. It's interesting how times change, even in baking.
These just came out of the oven! I used a muffin sized scoop and I ended up with lucky 13.
I’m not waiting for a special day, every day is a good day for cookies! Thanks Dorie!
I have most of Maida's books and have been using them for decades. She has been my teacher and mentor for decades. I loved her too. Thanks for sharing your memories.
Dorie-I never knew you worked ( started) at The Soho Charcuterie! It was my second job in NYC in 1985- they closed the end of that year I believe.
And boy do I remember Globs! The baker then ( I was the Garde Manger making all the salads for the case) was a woman named Faye who really mastered them. i guess I'll have to make a memorial batch!
thanks for the memories!
Dona
manager at Kalustyan's
Reading of your apprehension and anticipation of going to work that first day reminded me of the same feelings I had many, many years ago when I was going to cook with Diana Kennedy. One feisty lady but what a memorable experience! Thanks for sharing.
Is it possible to leave the nuts out or would that alter the proportion of wet and dry?
I learned of Maida when I found some of her cookbooks on the discount table at Books A Million in the late 80s/early 90s. Wow! So many good recipes. And one of the simplest is one of the best: tea cakes. Basically 4 ingredients. It’s a cookie that used to depend on the quality of the eggs & butter a farm wife raised. Different than sugar cookies. Has so much sugar that it gets a caramel taste.
I remember these cookies very well. I could almost taste them reading your essay. Happy Valentine’s Day!
I wore out my first Maida Heatter's Book of Chocolate Desserts although I still have it (falling apart and full of notes); thank goodness! At a used book sale, I found another copy but I still put all my notes in the falling apart book. One of my favorite cookbooks! I haven't made these globs but every Christmas, my daughter looks forward to making and my neighbors look forward to receiving Chocolate Almond Sp-icebox Cookies.
Thanks, lovely post, now I’m inspired to bake!
It's pizza night in my house & the recipe link is just what I needed. The cookies are also a must try! Thank you Dorie, Michael, Maida and the Modernists!
So glad you have joined the Substack community, Dorie…today’s is a fabulous contribution!