Many of my outings about town will include a stop at any one of several Goodwill stores. I look for bargains in the likes of what I call kitchen 'toys'. I have had to become more selective in what I bring home now that I am in a condo. But I still bring home something from time to time. I am also always on the lookout for old cook books. My last stop led me to a great old cook book called the 'The Settlement Cook Book'. Right on the cover it says "The way to a mans heart". How incredibly quaint, I had to have it. And the Goodwill price of $1.99 can't be beat.

For over one hundred years 'The Settlement Cook Book' has been a staple in the Milwaukee area as well as nationally. It has been revised over the years into 34 editions, selling more than 2 million copies and funding charitable projects to this day. It is considered one of the most successful fund-raising cook books in American history. Quite an accomplishment, I would say. The 1976 edition was named to the James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame, keeping company with the likes of 'The Fannie Farmer Cookbook' and 'Joy of Cooking.'

'The Settlement' was a social organization offering training in vocational and domestic skills, as well as classes in English, American history, and music. Its cofounder and president, Mrs. Simon Kander, believed food could be a powerful means of expression. She used cooking to help in the assimilation of immigrant girls and women into American culture. Her involvement in the cooking classes led to the publication of 'The Settlement Cook Book' in 1901.

Right now I am in the middle of my thorough first read-through. I found this recipe on page 64. I am not sure why, but it just seemed to jump off the page at me. It is super simple and I hope you like it.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. In a medium bowl slowly stir the milk into the peanut butter and blend well. Add the dry ingredients to the milk mixture and beat well. Pour into a loaf pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. The original recipe says this is best the second day, but it is almost too good to last long enough to find out. Make great toast, too.