You can’t escape the taste of the food you had as a child. In times of stress, what do you dream about?
Your mother’s clam chowder. It’s security, comfort. It brings you home. – Jacques Pepin
It’s Tuesday and you know what that means! Carole wants to know:
10 Favorite Foods Your Mom Used To Make
Now this poses a bit of a problem for me… Why you ask? Well, truly my mom was good at many things, but cooking was not one of them. At all. And, while I loved her dearly – it was not for her culinary skills!
Rather, I will make this about the foods of my Nana and my dear Mother-in-Law (though I did not know her when I was a child, she made things that the child in me loved!) My list starts with 2 things from her and the rest of the items on the list are devoted to my much beloved Nana (my maternal grandmother) she was a fantastic cook and I spent hours in the kitchen with her. Add to that, the number of times I called her while cooking a meal to see what she thought – and it was LOTS of time! It is because of her that I am the cook I am today.
- My Mother-in-Law’s Sloppy Joes. So good, and my kids most commonly requested birthday meal. Very deserving of the #1 spot!
- In slot #2 would be her Æbleskiver’s – to die for!
- Nana’s mashed potatoes.
- Denver Omelets – a treat for breakfast if you spent the night there. These also could be a supper treat to eat while watching Charlie Chan movies!
- Baked German Pancake, especially delicious when topped with raspberries from my Nana’s garden!
- Smelt – key factors here, they must have been dipped by my Uncle Denny and fried outside on the Coleman stove.
- Coleslaw – she made the best!
- Knödel – German Dumplings. She made them by hand, grinding the ham and the potatoes to an exact consistency. Absolutely amazing!
- Potato Salad, while she was a good German – she did not make a typical German potato salad. How she made it is how I make it still today. Potatoes, celery, radishes, and Hellman’s. The best!
- Mexican Wedding Cake cookies – these were the ultimate treat! Getting a “care package” in college that contained them and made you extremely popular.
The foods of my youth that bring warm memories to my heart whenever I think of them.
What food takes you to another time? Please share!
My mother always said that cooking skipped a generation, so I was also blessed with a beloved maternal grandmother who taught me most of what I know about cooking. I am so tempted to have sloppy joes, potato salad, and coleslaw for dinner tonight!
I think Bonny is right, because culinary talents? My mother does not have. All I can remember her making were grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup and tuna noodle casserole. (Not together).
However, my dad’s sister, my aunt Harriet, was the Best. Cook. Ever!!! She lived a mile away from me when I was young, and I got to spend a lot of time with her, learning and creating. She also taught me how to knit. My favorite recipe of hers is for Spritz Cookies. Mmm…
Sloppy Joes are such a comfort food for me. My mom made them and we would use pita bread instead of rolls. Baked German pancake is great. I had it for the first time last month (I know – I lead a sheltered life).
I’ve never had a baked German pancake. I’ll be on the lookout now. And we used to eat smelts in college. Did you put them on newspaper to eat?
Your list just made me very very hungry!
Mom made sloppy joe’s when she needed to feed a crowd. Your family potato salad sounds a lot like my mom’s!
I’m glad you had a grandmother who shared her love of cooking and food with you. Your list sounds delicious!
All mouth watering…and I forgot the potato salad! My mom did make that and she added carrot for the crunch – which I also do…when I make potato salad – rarely these days. Thanx for sharing these tasty dishes.
Cheers~
Oh, YUM! My mom wasn’t really into cooking . . . but neither were my grandmothers! (I’m trying to make up for it now — because I love to cook.) Your list makes me really hungry . . .