Baking is something I enjoy doing. Though I'm not one to strike out on my own, and develop my own cookie, cake or pie recipe, I'm pretty good at determining which new recipes are going to be really yummy.
Growing up sadly I don't remember my mother doing much baking. She was however, a great cook! One of my favorites was her Chicken and Rice with gravy. Sounds simple I know, but I have yet to duplicate it exactly. Oh I've gotten close but it's not quite right. Then there was her Ham and Bean Soup. This soup was thick and totally satisfying on a cold winter night. It was especially good with warm cornbread! It wasn't until I said something to my Dad when I was visiting him (Mom died in 2000), that he said he thought Mom had written that recipe down. Sure enough, after searching through all her cookbooks, there on a small scrape of paper was the recipe. Now, when I make this soup it really does taste just like hers! But it was also her stuffing/dressing she made for the turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas that probably is my all time favorite. It isn't complicated it's simply celery, onion, poultry seasoning and pork sausage. But whether it's hot or cold it really is the best. In fact, my eldest son's ex-wife loved it so much she now makes it too. But, it was my Dad who gave me the recipe for Lamb Chops! These chops are melt in your mouth goodness that makes me salivate just thinking about them.
Both my boys have their favorite foods that only I can make. For both of the boys it's the Lamb Chops, of course and Turkey and Dressing. One time while visiting Patrick in Tulsa for Christmas, I made for the full turkey dinner. The apartment smelled wonderful and when we finally sat down he said to me, "Now, it really feels like Christmas!" This was music to my ears. Though this happened years ago, to this day, it still warms my heart whenever I think of that moment. Both of the boys have their favorite dinners as well as desserts. Among them are Grasshopper Pie, Oatmeal cookies, Chocolate Chip cookies and Apple Pie and when they come to visit, they expect these goodies to be made. Baking and cooking for them is a joy. I just wish they were closer so it could be done more often.
But this got me thinking, shouldn't we be passing down recipes and baking secrets? Shouldn't family favorite recipes be preserved and cherished as much as our pictures and documents? I think there's a new project looming in my life. What are your family favorites?
