Hi there,
Pam Wight, an accomplished author and blogger, recently shared two delightful recipes that she received from two extraordinary women in her life. These recipes are not only delicious but also carry sentimental value, making them all the more special.
The first recipe is for French Silk Chocolate Pie which Pam received from her dear friend, Virginia and the second recipe is for Chocolate Nut Cookies which Pam received from her mother, Marcia.
Both of these recipes are not only delectable but also carry emotional significance for Pam. They remind us that food is not just about sustenance but can also be a way to connect with loved ones and create cherished memories.
Box of Memories, by Pamela S. Wight
As Sunday approaches, when I finally have time to bake, I bring out my old recipe box, the one that stores memories.
The box includes my most treasured pieces of paper – those that hold the handwriting of my grandmother, my mom, and older friends who are long gone.
Virginia, 75 when I met her at 22, left me a lasting testament of her presence. We connected, this elderly lady with the spirit of a teenager, and me, an exhausted graduate student who had no time to cook or clean or, really, to think except for the thesis I was writing. She and her aged husband, Hugh, invited me over for weekend dinners, when I savored her hours-baked pot roast and succulent desserts.
Now, I hold her recipe as if it’s gold. “French Silk Chocolate Pie,” not written but typed in Virginia’s meticulous way. She’d been a woman before her time – the administrative assistant to a bank CEO for 30-some-years before she retired at 70 in 1972. I can imagine how wonderful the CEO’s career was because of Virginia.
But now I search for the recipe I treasure the most. My mother’s Chocolate Nut cookies. Mom had no use for sweets or desserts, another divide in our personalities. But every Christmas when I was a kid and on into my adulthood, she made these shortbread bars with melted semisweet chocolate on top, sprinkled with walnuts.
As I read the recipe I soften the butter. I know what to do by heart, but I just like seeing my mom’s looping l’s in c h o c o l a t e, her bold b’s in b u t t e r and b a k e. Her handwriting shows the inside of her soul, one that she hid behind a strong, hard-edged bite framed with flirtatious banter and friendly teasing.
I touch the recipe, then stir the batter as softly as a sigh.
Chocolate Nut Cookies, Marcia S. Wight
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
1 c butter, 1 c granulated sugar
2 c flour, ½ tsp vanilla, Salt, Chopped nuts
1 pkg chocolate bits (we call them choc chips now)
Cream butter and sugar together, add flour and work in along with vanilla and salt. Mix well and press into cookie sheet with sides. Just fits in jelly roll pan. Bake 10 minutes at 375 degrees. It just barely begins to turn brown. Make frosting of package of chocolate bits, melted. Spread on cake while hot. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Cut into squares at once. Let set until cool and chocolate icing has set before removing from pan.
About Rough Wighting
“Art is transferring feeling from one heart to another.” Leo Tolstoy
I write because I love the written word. I love stories of fiction and lore; therefore, I create with the written word too.
This blog shares that love. Parts of it contain fast flashes of life that I write for the total joy of it.
Parts of the blog show my publishing joys – books of romance and suspense offered as a wonderful escape into worlds that are very real: The Right Wrong Man and Twin Desires. Adding to this joy, my illustrated children’s books, BIRDS OF PARADISE andMOLLY FINDS HER PURR, enjoyed by anyone ages 3 to 93.
Through all of my posts and books, I hope to share my joy in writing rough.
My last name is Wight, and I teach creative writing for fun – calling it Rough Writing. My students have renamed my class ROUGH WIGHTING, and I think that’s just perfect.
Join me also at Twitter: https://twitter.com/pamelawight; Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/roughwighting/; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pam94920/; and Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pamcoletta/.
Wight with Muse, by Mike Allegra.
Thank you again Pam for sharing your writing talents with us again. Many of you may remember that Pam wrote a post for us about Marcia that included Marcia’s Blueberry Muffin recipe (https://newclassicrecipe.com/2021/09/06/blueberry-delight-a-recipe-to-remember/)
28 responses to “Pam Wight Shares Two Recipes from Two Special Women”
Thank you for sharing family history and recipes because they are my kind of dessert – chocolate. 🙂
Mmm, yes, chocolate is always something my eyes settle upon on a menu.
Thanks for enjoying. Chocolate always sooths and energizes, all at the same time. 🙂
Recipe cards reveal so much about a person! Thank you for sharing your sweet stories and memories.
Thank you, Amie. I know fewer people now save recipes and recipe boxes. They just “google” a recipe. But NOTHING takes the place of handwritten instructions from a loved one on how to bake or cook a treasured meal or treat.
I am sure that this story is right in your wheelhouse. Thanks for stopping by Amie.
Both chocolate recipes sound amazing. I particularly want to try that silky chocolate pie!
Hi Angie. It’s a pretty simple recipe, but ohhh la la. My guests go crazy for it. The trick is to beat each egg a long time. Enjoy!
I’m so honored that you included my memories (and recipes) of two special women. My mom would be SO pleased that she made your blog, Bernadette. Truly, she’d be tickled pink (an expression she used), as am I. <3
Love that expression. I’m tickled pink to collaborate with you Pam
These treasured recipes are special Pam. What a delicious way to remember loved ones.
Thanks so much for stopping by Gerlinde.
Hi Gerlinde. For once, I’m sharing a recipe(s) to you through this blog, instead of the other way around.! :–) xoxo
Hi both, these recipes both sound wonderful. Thanks for sharing them here, Bernadette.
It is my pleasure Robbie.
Thanks, Robbie.
Recipes and memories to last a lifetime and pass down to our children and grandchildren as well! I love this post but I’m curious what is on the back side of the french silk pie recipe card? This is my hubby’s favorite pie. Thank you so much for sharing them!
Pam, can you help Diane out?
The back side of the French Silk Chocolate Pie recipe: Turn into pastry shell (these days we call it a pie crust). Chill several hours. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate curls, if desired. (1977 recipe – hope you enjoy!)
Thanks Pam.
Thank you Pam I can’t wait to try this!
I love this, because it isn’t always just about the recipe but about the emotions stirred when we touch the recipe card that our loved ones left for us, and we remember all the quirky things that made them special to us. That’s the good stuff!
So right Terrie. That IS the good stuff. Then the chocolate and sugar comes next. 🙂
It is for sure.
Oh, I so love great recipes found on old recipes cards, I think they are the best! Cheers to recipe memories!
It is fun to go back and remember the author of the recipe card. Have a great holiday weekend.
I’m thrilled to see Pam and her magical words featured here. The recipes sound wonderful, and they arrive just in time to satisfy a chocolate craving I’ve had. But as Pam and others mention, it’s the memories associated with the recipes that make them so special. It’s also interesting how we associate certain foods with certain people, isn’t it? Thanks for the recipes, Pam and Bernadette.
It is my pleasure to share recipes and stories from my blogging community. Pam is a very special member of that community. Thanks for taking the time to visit.