September 28, 2009

The Creation of Cooking?

Tonight we're having pot roast. I've been looking forward to making it since my husband brought home a beautiful chuck roast a couple of days ago. Today marks the first day that all of us will be home to enjoy it. While I was cutting up the root vegetables a thought occurred to me: I have no idea who the first human was to decide to mix things and eat them. No longer merely eating the same things separately, but to mix them together first. I can't think of a single thing except sometimes rice where I don't combine spices, veggies, and the like. Bless that person, man, woman, or child, whoever did it first for they have my utmost gratitude. It was the conception of cooking.

Do you have a meal that is particularly close to your heart and family? My own trademark is my Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Yeast Rolls, but that was just my pot, my leftovers, and an afternoon. My mother's seal is her pies. My mom makes wonderful whole-wheat crust pies. Yes, I'm lucky enough to have that recipe which I use often. My Grandmother, oh just the memory makes my taste buds sing, my Grandma made homemade freezer pickles. What a joy. My Papa grew the cucumbers and Grandma and Papa made the pickles together, they always tasted of summer and love. Someone else in my family would make the best German potato salad - that must have been one of the twins. I have twin Aunts, Beth and Linda. The only thing I would change is sometimes they'd put onions in it. That's fine when the onions cook down to nothing... Oh and my Aunt Jean makes cookies. While I don't have any of her recipes I do know her trick for having oodles of cookies at Christmas in all different varieties. Her home looks like a treat shop around the holidays. Everyone who learns that I'm her niece will instantly go into a trace as they tell me about her melt in your mouth Christmas cookies. Since the birth of Jessica I try to follow in her footsteps - sending cookies around here, there, and everywhere. So please tell me what is special to you, because I just might need that recipe too.

3 comments:

stitchinpenny said...

I have a paasion for cooking and no single specialty. My husband's family passed down a ravioli recipe that is great. but many people request Chimichangas as their special meal, stuffed chicken breasts with prosciutto and provolone, my dad's spaghetti sauce, pizza and my sister would want me to make stew or chicken tetrazini. Fried green tomatoes. There are as many special dishes as people who request them

Anonymous said...

Goodness just one recipe. hmmmm I have a wonderful raspberry chocolate cheesecake, enchiladas, a pork tenderloin with mustard pepper rub. Gosh I could go on and on. I LOVE FOOD! ;)

Heather Landry said...

Gumbo is my favorite dish ever. The perfect melting of vegetables, meat, and spices! Yummy. Great Liz, now I'm hungry! LOL