I recently read a story about macaroni and cheese. The author was raving about her elderly aunt's recipe, it was thick and creamy and had just the right amount of cheese and flavoring. Her mac and cheese was requested at every family get together, and everyone wanted to know how to make it, but the aunt never told anyone. Well, until she couldn't get around so much and couldn't make it herself anymore. So she told one person, her sister (the author's mother). The new recipe carrier was just as mum for a number of years. One day the author called her mom to request she bring the macaroni and cheese to a birthday party- the mom said, "Look honey, you take a box of frozen stouffers, halfway through cooking, add an egg and 2 cups of cheese, stir it up and cook it the rest of the time. That's it!"
Everybody has 'em - those recipes that your grandma made, or your great aunt, or your great great grandpa's famous potato sausage. Those dishes that turn up at almost every family gathering, or sometimes only for certain holidays. Some families are secretive about them (so no need to share the recipe if you don't want to!) , some share them with everyone, and some even try to package and market the really good ones!
So tell us, what are your family recipes? Do you like them? Do you know how to make them?
It's Time
11 months ago
9 comments:
I'd say ours is Mom's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies. They're at EVERY get-together and would be sorely missed if they weren't there!
I've shared it with most (all?) of you, but if any of you want it and don't have it, let me know. I don't want to publish it here on the anybody-could-steal-it-interwebs, but I'll happily share it with y'all.
Not that I can make them like she does, but still, they're good.
P.S. Fun question!!!
There are a few in our families- one is my grandma's chicken and noodles (that she got from her MIL) It's so basic, but so yummy. Sometimes she would make a huge batch and it was an impromptu get together- no holiday needed. I make it at christmas time (but only for us/my parents/sister, I don't have the equipment to make HUGE vats of it). Oh, and there is no written recipe, it's the kind you just have to know.
Unfortunately, my mother didn't cook, but my old roommate just posted a recipe for her TERRIFIC mac & cheese over at Fierce and Nerdy: http://fierceandnerdy.com/?p=1706
My grandma's meatballs. Every one of the 8 girls she had makes her mother's meatballs a different way. They all turn out and they all say that is what Grandma told them to do.
Family recipes? The first thing that comes to mind is Mama B's homemade pizzas. Followed by Mama B cheesecake (which she once made for my birthday while I was in college, froze, and mailed to me. Mama B is awesome). I've attempted these things, but like Ms. Huis mentions, it doesn't matter whether you follow the exact recipe, it's never the same when you make it. But they're still good.
Chicken and dumplings. Not those fluffy dumplings, but the real solid kind. No recipe, just have to learn it.
"Olga's Olives" are a favorite at every family gathering. Mom kept a special bottle of Spanish vinegar that she used ONLY for making these marinated olives. I've since inherited the bottle, and with it the duty of making the olives. :)
Like Pusher said, though...even with the special vinegar, they're just never quite as good when I make them.
comment on poll: there is no saving money for me. Box of cereal here is $7-11 for a small box, must buy imported milk now ($2.5/liter) etc. Wog really needs to get a job! Veggies are inexpensive, but dirty, and the tap water is also contaminated so cleaning them is a delicate dance.
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