The magician had a book
and the book was titled
“The Service Cookbook
by
Ida Bailey Allen”
And I knew that this book
contained all the secrets
of the Kitchen Magic.
I held my breath
As I opened the pages
Many of them stained
And darkened and shredded
from use.
But I knew
It contained the Magician’s Secrets;
Shortening+sugar+egg+vanilla+flour
+baking powder+salt+raisins+milk =
Old Fashioned Raisin cookies
or
Sugar+milk+baking soda+additional sugar+
pecans=pralines and
Milk+tapioca+cornmeal+molasses+sugar+butter+salt = Indian pudding
Although I was a very young child, I studied the Magicians book, determined to learn all of the secrets and when the opportunity presented itself, I stole the book of Kitchen magic now it was mine and I could perform all the magical things that happen only in the kitchen. And I did.
Sandra Lee Smith
March 2oo9
