A lot of the events in my house happen around food. Not at the table necessarily, but definitely around food. If we can’t agree on anything else, everyone in my family loves to eat!
Last night I cooked some of my mother-in-law’s gravy (that is what us Southerners refer to as spaghetti sauce). Since Mr. Wonderful isn’t home I can sneak in some extra spices (cumin) and additions like mushrooms (for the little ones) that he would never go for if he was here eating with us. He always spouts off something about, “maintaining the integrity of the recipe” or something to that effect. His loyalty to his mother, and her recipes, is endearing though so I usually don’t sneak in too much when he’s home.
On Wednesdays, when both boys stay home with me, we always make mini muffins that I take into class with me that night. Thing 1 loves to stir and Thing 2, well, he is content watching from a chair for the most part. Until it is time to “test” them out anyway. People coming to class straight from work are grateful for the snack for sure, it has become a tradition for our group. But their kind words don’t compare to what I get in return for spending that time with my kids. Whether it is chocolate chip, blueberry, or lemon poppy-seed, our special time spent in the kitchen together will be memories I will cherish dearly when they turn into disgruntled teenagers who won’t hug their mom anymore (does that really happen?). They won’t have to maintain any integrity of the recipes either, should they choose to do the same with their little ones – we use the boxed version!
Tonight, after I put the kidlets down I have a friend down the street coming over to watch the movie, SHAG. We are both southern gals with deployed husbands so we will bond over crushing on “Buzz” while we enjoy the southern-style spread I’m working on. I even called my dad to get his garlic/cream cheese dip since we aren’t going to be kissing anyone tonight either. That is my go-to chip dip when I am not dressing up but staying in. Not trying to impress but to talk. Leiane and I met over a neighborhood Christmas cookie swap so it no wonder we continue our get-togethers with food in mind.
I may not be a good cook, chef, or even baker (I’ve been told they are all different!) but I do know that a lot of times, it isn’t about the food you are preparing but about the people you are with while doing the preparing. Lucky me – I’ve got 2 sous chefs in residence who love nothing better than to hang out with mom in the kitchen!
So dish – what is one of your go-to recipes that you like to keep on hand? Or what is something that you enjoy making with your kids/spouse?
5 Comments
My go-to recipe for dinner with friends is baked ziti…the super easy way. Brown some ground beef or Italian sausage, stir together with cooked ziti, half a bag of mozzarella, and a jar of spaghetti sauce. Top with the rest of the cheese, bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, and voila!
I also LOVE baking (mainly so I can eat the dough or batter!), so I almost always have frozen cookie dough, already shaped, in the freezer. You never know when a new neighbor will need some “welcome to the neighborhood” cookies, or when some function or other will ask for everyone to bring a snack to share.
Hashbrown casserole is one of my stand-bys. With cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup playing parts in the recipe, it’s almost good enough to eat alone as a full meal.
Another is my grandmother’s recipe for garlic cheese (shredded cheese, cream cheese, pecans, garlic powder, and paprika), which we usually have as a holiday appetizer but my DH loves it so much I will make it for him as a special treat on occasions. This is a very “hands-on” dish to make as it requires “kneading” and “rolling”.
I love to cook and bake, so those are just a couple of my faves.
Around this time of year I always make Applesauce Cookies. It’s a recipe that was handed down from my great grandmother and a favorite. In fact the recipe had to be translated from German to English for me. I always think of her when I make them and feel proud when people ask for seconds and thirds.
Semper – what a great recipe for ziti! I’m definitely going to use that in the future. Sounds yummy!
Jennie – I love tator-tot casserole too
I have found out though that the kids will only eat the Ore-Ida ones…not the cheap ones I tried to get at first – lol.
Michelle – recipe please!!!
I have given you an award over on my site. Happy Thanksgiving.