“Memories of a Farm Kitchen” sweetly captures the essence of this ever-so-versatile room, transporting readers back in time and setting a place for them at the heavy, wooden table there that the author aptly calls “the center of the universe.”
Written and illustrated by Bob Artley, the book depicts — through his heart-warming watercolor vignettes, pen-and-ink-drawings and vivid childhood recollections — the kitchen that most Midwestern farm homes shared during the 1920s and ‘30s. His artwork and stories evoke such a cozy feeling that one might imagine actually climbing inside the pages and living with his family during the time he and his two brothers were growing up.
The short chapters not only chronicle the layout of the kitchen but also describe the various roles the room played — aside from where the family’s meals were served and eaten — it was truly the arena where most everything took place. This humble space was a medical dispensary, nursery, laundry, sewing and knitting room, scriptorium and the spot to take a bath on Saturday night. The utmost importance of the fire-fueled range is explained, as are cream separators and icebox refrigerators, rain barrels, smokehouses, cellars and attics.
Other chapters tell tales of threshers gathered ‘round the table during the oat harvest, eating from a lunch bucket (formerly a maple syrup pail) during noon recess at the boys’ one-room country schoolhouse or the occasions during mealtime when their Grandma and Grandpa shared poignant stories of their early lives.
The book is enhanced with a number of recipes created in farm kitchens of the past, some of which were handed down by Artley’s mother, Elsie, and her neighbors. A collection of 34 other recipes that Dorothy Harchanko, of Worthington, Minn., gleaned from recipe boxes and area cookbooks from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s provides a truly satisfying “last morsel” of charm and lore to this tenderly sentimental memoir.
It’s a pleasure to share one of the time-honored recipes contributed by Harchanko — Chicken and Dumplings, courtesy of Alice Mae Duba. CJK
A note from Carol: Author Bob Artley, who co-wrote the book with his son, Rob Artley, grew up on his family farm in Hampton, Iowa. After he had become the editorial cartoonist for the Worthington Daily Globe, his watercolors and essays of life on the farm evolved into a weekly cartoon series. Since then, his nationally syndicated work has focused on the culture of rural America — he’s been sharing his memories of farm life for more than 60 years. Artley has written and illustrated 10 books, including the best-selling “Memories of a Former Kid.”
Chicken and Dumplings
(From “Memories of a Farm Kitchen”)
4 1/2- to 5-lb. stewing hen
2 1/2 cups flour, divided
2 1/2 tsp. salt, divided
1/2 tsp. pepper, divided
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 onion, sliced
4 ribs celery, sliced (with leaves chopped)
2 sprigs parsley
herbs (e.g. rosemary, thyme) to taste
6 carrots, cut into 2” lengths
1/2 cup cold water
Singe, clean and cut up hen.
Combine 2 cups flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper and poultry seasoning.
Roll chicken pieces in seasoned flour.
Brown chicken pieces in hot lard in a heavy pan.
Add water almost to cover.
Add onion, celery, parsley, herbs, 2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
When chicken is almost tender (after simmering about 40 minutes), add carrots, simmer till carrots are tender.
Combine 1/2 cup flour and cold water. Stir into chicken mixture. Bring to a boil.
Fluffy Dumplings
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2/3 cup milk
1 egg
2 tbsp. salad oil
Combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and parsley.
Beat milk with egg and oil.
Add to dry ingredients, stirring only till moistened.
Drop tablespoons of fluffy dumplings over surface of boiling chicken mixture.
Simmer, covered (do not lift lid), for 15 minutes. Dumplings are done when undersides are no longer doughy.
“Memories of a Farm Kitchen” by Bob Artley and Rob Artley, Pelican Publishing Company , 2010, 96 pp. Readers may order copies toll free from Pelican at 1-800-843-1724 or wherever books are sold.
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