Dedication

This cookbook is dedicated in loving memory to my parents Jerome and Agnes McAndrews. My father delighted in praising my mother's creative talent in the kitchen. He was especially proud of her ability to stir up fantastic meals almost like magic from even the barest cupboard. We came from hardworking "working-class" stock and money was often scarce, but love was abundant! Mom demonstrated her love for us by preparing mouthwatering foods lovingly made "from scratch." My fondest childhood memories are of family meals shared around our modest kitchen table.

     In this collection of "man-pleasing" recipes, I've chosen types of foods my mother cooked that my father so enjoyed. I've simply taken my "magic whisk" and stirred out the excess fats, sugars, calories, and sodium, while stirring in health and ease of preparation. Daddy would approve beacause my meals are still economical in cost and extravagant in taste just like Mom's. I like to think I left the loving in the ingredients just the way she did.

     In recognition of the "tummy-filling" recipes in this collection, I'm sharing a poem my mother wrote many years ago about food and thanks. While she composed these words in celebration of Thanksgiving Day, I believe we should be thankful for the bounties most of us enjoy every day in our great nation. No wonder we are the envy of the rest of the world!

Our Bountiful Table

We thank You, Lord, for our bountiful table laden with food You have blest.

We invite You to stay in our hearts and homes and always be our guest.

May the happiness we enjoy on this and every day.

Spread throughout the world, granting peace and love along the way.

---Agnes Carrington McAndrews

---JoAnna M. Lund