My cookbook MAMA’S COOKING, CELEBRITIES REMEMBER MAMA’S BEST RECIPE (co-authored with Lynne Alpern) was published in 1988. I didn’t care so much about the recipes, because my emphasis was on the funny stories. However, Lynne did test some of the “a pinch of this and a fistful of that” recipes. Cooking was never my favorite sport although occasionally I still enjoy uncomplicated baking.

When I moved into my newly built senior residence two years ago, I was the first occupant in my apartment. Consequently, no one had ever used the brand new oven in my G.E. stove. I generally use the oven to store pots and pans unless I get the urge to bake a cake or some assorted cookies. My stove burners have a glass top and work just fine, but the oven seems to have a mind of its own, so I have had to drastically adjust the baking time other than the recipes suggest. Consequently, a month ago I requested a visit from the G.E. Service Technician.

A burly, heavily tattooed fellow, who yelled like a Marine Drill Sergeant squatted in front of my oven and turned it on. After couple of minutes he barked, “The temperature seems fine.” I think he tested it with his index finger. Then he added, “Maybe you are having trouble because of the altitude. You do know that Tucson is a high city.” At that, I suspected he might be higher than the city and I replied, “I have lived here for 25 years. My former house is right across the street.” Then I added, “However, I do live 3 floors higher than I did. Do you think that could make a difference?” He thought about that for awhile.

Then he said, “Ovens have hot spots. If you bake a cake you need to keep turning the pan so it will brown on all sides.” Then I knew that this Bozo had probably graduated at the bottom of his oven class, because every baker knows that if you keep opening the oven door to turn a cake, some cakes will just give up and deflate. Obviously, he was going to be no help at all.

As the weeks passed, I kept baking, and adjusted the oven temperature or baking time, as best I could. I also gifted some of my dear neighbors with some of my creations. They are all such nice people whom I now know will eat almost anything.

Finally, I purchased an oven thermometer. I took all of the pots and pans out of the oven, and put the thermometer into my oven and set the “Bake” button at 375 degrees. When the stove beeped  informing me that the 375 degree heat had been reached, I put my cake into the oven. Then I looked at the thermometer which registered 325 degrees. Oops! I turned the oven up to 400 degrees and adjusted the baking time by 20 minutes. Miracle of miracles the cake turned out just fine. I think it was okay, because my neighbor asked for the recipe and she assured me that her taste buds are intact.

So, now I have requested a return visit from a G.E. Technician…BUT!  not the same one, because I am sure he would blame the discrepancy on my thermometer.  I wonder if Sylvia PIath had her oven checked by a G.E. Technician. Boy, am I glad mine is electric.

Esther Blumenfeld