Colorful Past[a]

My earliest memories of cooking with my mom and grandma (Me-Maw) recall colors of yellow, green, red, and blue…in that order.

Whether we were mixing up a batch of banana bread, potato salad, or oatmeal-raisin cookies, the classic Pyrex Colored Bowl Set was in constant use in the kitchen. I remember being drawn to the colors and the smart nesting feature of the bowls as a kid. These bowls were kept in a lower cupboard in Me-Maw’s kitchen, so as a spry, young whippersnapper, I was often in charge of retrieving them for our cooking adventures. Their weight always reminded me of their significant role in every recipe. When we were cooking, the Pyrex bowls were an essential tool for success.

Me-Maw and Pa-Paw on their wedding day, 1947.

As an adult, my visits to Ohio to see Me-Maw and my mom were spent at the small kitchen table — chatting about life in California, neighborhood gossip, and funny memories. One visit home, I had brought with me a clipping from a 1949 LIFE Magazine I had collected. At the back, there was a holiday ad for Pyrex. I thought it was so cool to see the beautiful variety of offerings from back in the day. I shared the ad with Me-Maw, and she fondly recalled that the Colored Bowl Set was a wedding gift from my Aunt Ruthie in 1947. I said, “In 1949, this set of bowls was just $2.95!” To which Me-Maw replied, “Is that all she spent on me?” We had a good laugh over that.

Inevitably, our conversations would wind down, and the quiet would turn into the need to start a project. I fully credit Me-Maw with my inability to sit still to this day. Cooking was our go-to action, so we’d either pull out the recipe book, or recall a recipe from memory.

The Pyrex Colored Bowl Set was introduced in 1945, leading the way in the company’s premiere offering of colorful opal glass. This line of iconic housewares thrived through the 1970s, and continues to hold their popularity among vintage collectors today. No, the price is nowhere near $2.95, but you should absolutely have a set in your kitchen arsenal. Me-Maw’s Pyrex set is now part of my kitchen, so her influence and humor are always close at hand as I do my own cooking.

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As we bask in these hot summer months, I find myself reflecting on those vibrant colors of yellow, green, red, and blue, and preparing a refreshing, colorful, chilled salad in those beautiful bowls. This vegetable pasta salad was a staple in our home. It’s one of my favorite go-to recipes, and it is so easy to make. Feel free to omit or add any veggies you want, but however you make it, be sure to chill it overnight in that large yellow Pyrex bowl. It just tastes better that way.

Pasta Salad

Prep: 20 min. (+ overnight refrigeration)  |   Cook: 12 min.   |   Serves: 10-12

INGREDIENTS:

1 box tri-color rotini
2 Persian cucumbers, large dice
1/2 green bell pepper, large dice
1/2 yellow bell pepper, large dice
1/2 yellow onion large dice
1 broccoli crown, large dice
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can large black olives, halved
1 tsp oregano
1 bottle Italian dressing, divided

DIRECTIONS:

Boil pasta according to instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.

In large bowl, gently stir together all ingredients, reserving half the Italian dressing. Refrigerate overnight. Incorporate remaining dressing. Stir to coat evenly. Serve chilled.

*Note* You may wish to only use 1/4 of the remaining dressing if the pasta seems too saturated.