WHEN MY PARENTS WERE BRIDE AND GROOM , SERVING THEIR FIRST PASTORAL APPOINTMENT TOGETHER, THE AMERICUS CIRCUIT, DAD HAD BEEN WORKING WITH MOTHER ON HER COOKING SKILLS AND THEY DECIDED SHE WAS READY TO PREPARE A DINNER PARTY.
THEY INVITED ONE OF DAD’S MINISTER FRIENDS AND HIS WIFE TO JOIN THEM AND SO ON THE APPOINTED EVENING, THEY WERE READY TO ENJOY THE MEAL THAT MOTHER HAD PREPARED.
MOTHER HAD WORKED AND WORKED TO CLEAN THE LITTLE PARSONAGE AND MAKE IT SHINE FOR GUESTS. SHE PLACED WILDFLOWERS IN THE TWENTY VASES SHE HAD RECEIVED AS WEDDING GIFTS AND SET THE TABLE WITH HER WEDDING CHINA AND SILVERWARE.
SHE HAD DECIDED TO SERVE A SOMEWHAT EXOTIC DISH AS THE MAIN COURSE AND SHE HAD CONSULTED THE ONLY COOKBOOK SHE HAD AS TO HOW IT SHOULD BE PREPARED. IT WAS CALLED SCALLOPED EGGPLANT.
REMEMBER, THESE WERE THE LATE 1930S AND FEW, IF ANY, APPLIANCES AND LABOR SAVING DEVICES INHABITED THE KITCHEN.
HOWEVER, MOTHER DUTIFULLY MADE A WHITE SAUCE AND POURED IT OVER THE EGGPLANT IN THE BAKING DISH AND TOOK IT TO THE TABLE.
WHEN THE MINISTER FRIEND SERVED HIMSELF AND TRIED TO TAKE A BITE HE DISCOVERED THAT THE EGGPLANT WAS STILL RAW! GENTLY HE ASKED, “GRACE, HOW LONG DID YOU COOK THIS IN THE OVEN?” PUZZLED SHE REPLIED, “IN THE OVEN? I DIDN’T COOK IT IN THE OVEN, I THOUGHT POURING THE WHITE SAUCE OVER IT WOULD COOK IT!”
THE MINISTER AND DAD NEVER LET MOTHER FORGET THAT MOMENT THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!
Adventures In Cooking And Eating 