OK, so I start a separate blog on cooking and the first post I do here is on cooking. Yeah? So?
This is really a non-cooking question. Sort of.
Nowadays we are bombarded with recipes - magazines, websites, emailed stuff, newspapers, TV programs, the sides of most packets of food.
I have books, magazines, folders of physical clippings, databases of e-clippings.
There is a niggling worry I have with this - there are some recipes I have kept making from my Grandmother's collection. Things she used to make time and time again. Things that take me straight back to her kitchen every time I make them. I can 'see' the lino, the table, the curtains, the dresser, the old stove...
Smell. It is like a time machine.
Nowadays, I am forever trying new recipes. I don't dare make the same thing for visitors twice in a row.
Have I robbed my children of their memories?
...
Mum loved your granny's list. Mum says the smell of baking scones always makes her think of Sunday afternoons. I reckon you should just open a bag of Royal Canin, it's packed full of all the vitamins, minerals and what nots that your pups need to keep them healthy and strong. Why worry about making the same thing twice? Honestly, no wonder you humans are so stressy.
ReplyDeleteOlfactive memory isn't limited to cooking smells - I'm sure they have plenty of time machines. As long as they remember how to get to your door and want to get there, stop worrying !
ReplyDeleteMother seems heavily into puds!
ReplyDeleteChairman Bill: simple reason for that - her meat dishes were all roasts.
ReplyDeleteIf you've never made the same thing twice, sir,
ReplyDeleteYou're being quite chauvinistic, and expecting others to endure
something that may not even taste good
(perhaps should stay under the skillet hood?)
Practice is repeating until it's really good, that's for sure!
But sometimes it's the rules of the game
That make the foods good again and again...
Grandma cooked chicken
so finger lickin'
any method just so it falls off the bone and not in flames.
Fried bacon reminds me of caravan holidays..I would be outside in the sun whilst grown ups cooked a breakfast. Smells really are part of the memory bank.
ReplyDeleteMaybe your children will have more food memories than we do?
Oh PS..that woman looks like she is going to lob that cake at her darling husband!
ReplyDeleteYes I have fond memories of my Grandmothers kitchen,the lino as you have mentioned, the fuel stove,a shelf above the alcove lined with canisters, little lace curtains on the window above the sink, a pine table which she scrubbed,pots bubbling away with delicious aromas and beautiful roasts.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoyed having tea with her, she had the most beautiful teapot of which I am now the proud owner, depression glass butter and cheese dishes and the most delightful lace beaded covers which she placed over the milk jug.
Do you remember those Lee? and I sure miss aprons, I have only one. ♥
My grandmother never cooked for us. Mostly because she lived 3,000 miles away. But I purposely don't cook the same stuff for Ryan that my mother cooked for us. Mostly because my mother's idea of good food and my idea of good food are different. Very, very different. And the smells? Not so good.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to cook a LOT, and if we had any dish outside, she would always try a version at home. Now, whenever I go out I end up saying ‘this is just like what mama makes!’. My friends are now quite fedup with this as they wonder what a supermom my mom was! Seriously, I happen to think so too – I think you are offering your children the same memory of variety, and interest to do new things rather than be lazy and have their palate be comfortable with one/two tastes. I actually thank my mom for exposing us to so much, because now I make the effort to whip up new dishes all the time!
ReplyDeleteThis was a gift and a memory she transferred to her gals, and if you look at it that way, I think you're doing the same!
My mother had a black and white mixer just like the one in your pic!
ReplyDeleteHave you robbed your children of their memories? (you say that like it is a bad thing!) ...Nope. They will remember their dad that cooked. That in itself is a pretty fantastic image/memory/story to tell the grandkids. My dad loved to cook and he was very creative in the kitchen...
ReplyDeleteOne day we'll fly to Melbourne and see what's cooking in your kitchen for us!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mikaelah! Your sons may take a leaf out of your cooking book too!
ReplyDeleteI have a mixer just like that. My wife loves it.
ReplyDeleteEvery time we go to visit our son, my wife cooks one of his favorites.
You don't dare make the same thing for visitors twice in a row? Reminds me of my SIL (unfortunately) - she thinks she is the only person in the world who can cook. Has come up with some awful stuff - leftover steak omelet anyone?
ReplyDelete