Do different foods remind you of different people?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (38591)
December 5, 2024 7:53pm CST
I realized today that they actually do remind me, or bring back memories of what I fixed for loved ones and friends, because I knew that's what they liked.
One of my grandfathers absolutely loved chicken and dumplings. It was one of the first dinners I learned to cook, because my grandmother made it for him quite often. Another favorite was baked fruit pies, and oh, I've made a lot of them over the years, remembering how he loved them.
My sister loved lasagna. Another favorite dinner of hers was homemade chicken and noodles, so when she visited, I made those for her. Fattening, but hey...she was a tiny little thing. I also sent her home with some bags of homemade noodles that I dried and bagged up for her, she loved that.
Dad loved meat loaf. When he visited, he always took the leftover meat loaf home with him to make sandwiches with. Of course, being Dad, he said no one made it as good as I do. I know that wasn't true, but I loved him for thinking that. He also loved homemade breads, so of course I always sent several loaves home with him. He was a meat-and-potatoes type of guy.
My sweet aunt (I was her namesake, and we were very close) loved desserts. Pineapple upside down cake was one of her favorites, as well as blueberry muffins, and homemade bread with homemade jam. I kept her as well supplied as I could.
When I am making these things, or others who loved other dishes I made for them, I think of them and remember the good times we all had together.
I was making memories back then with my cooking, and didn't even realize it.
Have you made food memories for friends or family?
Picture from pinterest.
21 people like this
19 responses
@sallypup (61575)
• Centralia, Washington
6 Dec
Your kitchen skills have pleased many loved ones. My Mom put oatmeal in chocolate chip cookies as well as meat loaf. She was known for her doughnuts. I am known for my fruit pies. Apparently folks think my pie crust good enough to talk about. We must have Rodale's carrot cake for hubby's birthday.
3 people like this
@sallypup (61575)
• Centralia, Washington
6 Dec
@MarieCoyle There are so many variations on carrot cake. We used to buy big chunks of coconut for it. And of course walnuts. I've never put pineapple in mine. Most folks want to slather on pounds of cream cheese frosting, too.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
@sallypup
I love pineapple, but I don't want it in carrot cake. But walnuts would be fine with me, I love them.
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
I do often make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, the kids really like those. And after much experimenting years ago, I think oatmeal is the binder to use in meat loaf, hands down. It's just way better than bread.
Your pies are no doubt delicious, I'm sure! I've been hungry for carrot cake for quite some time, for some reason, we always had it for New Year's, so I am hoping that's happening this year, as well. So good.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (182000)
• United States
6 Dec
My one grandmother was a farm cook, and we spent time in the kitchen canning corn, and making old fashioned gravy and frostings. She made a variety of pies for the holidays whenever she got some time. She put them in the freezer and they were ready to go for holiday times. Of course, I did a lot of baking with my mother. She was also a very competent cook. I wish I could say the same, most certainly everything I make does not come out delicious although I do make a mean meat loaf.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
Those are nice memories to reflect on, Snowy.
I, too, have memories of canning vegetables with both grandmothers--and I can honestly say I make great gravy, I should as I have had lots of practice! One grandmother made pies ahead, froze them on a cookie sheet, then wrapped them and stacked them in the freezer for busy times. I do that sometimes, too. It's always nice to have a pie you can put in the oven for a nice dessert. I am sure your foods taste a lot better than you give yourself credit for.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (71590)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Dec
I have. When I make mac and chease either from a box or from scratch I think of mom and how she used to make it for me.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (71590)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Dec
@MarieCoyle Yeah. I know right? I was trying to remember how to make a sause for mac and chease (hadn't done it since high school) and it reminded me of when my mom had to figure out the recipie for how she made mac and chease for a school cook book we were doing.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
@kaylachan
My youngest wanted some recipes that are not written down a few years ago. I had to write them down as I made the items, over a period of time, as there are some things I just don't measure. She is an excellent cook, but she wanted some of my recipes from myself as well as my grandmothers, so I made her a little book and gave it to her.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
It's wild at times the way the memories come flooding back to us..
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
I honestly don't really know if it's good, but my family and friends are not complaining, so I will go with their opinion!
@Dena91 (16692)
• United States
6 Dec
I loved spending time in the kitchen with my Nana. She was a wonderful cook, always made everything from scratch. I was a teenager when she bought her first loaf of bread in the store. Whenever I sauté onions and garlic I am transported back to her kitchen.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
One of my grandmothers taught me to bake bread and pies, etc. She was so patient...she gardened and canned her excess and everything was from scratch. She was such a good teacher, and so was my other grandmother.
The onions and garlic take you back to the memories...oh, do I ever get that.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
10 Dec
I honestly like to cook. It's like a therapy time for me...I can be in the kitchen and think about whatever, and have a bit of time, plus cook something to eat, hopefully something people really like. When you have a family, and raise a pack of children, you cook--you have to! Luckily, I have always enjoyed it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
15 Dec
@grenery8
I think everyone should know how to cook the basics and learn how to make some simple meals. It’s just not practical to eat out all the time or to live on fast food and frozen pizza.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (11100)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
14 Dec
@MarieCoyle my mum is like that too although i try to convince her from time to time that i can cook instead of her but what to do and my father is picky and likes only my mum's cuisine.tough cookies these 2
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137597)
• India
6 Dec
Every time I cook some foods that my mother did I think of her
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (139810)
• Roseburg, Oregon
8 Dec
@MarieCoyle Homemade is the best way to make things.
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
Good fried chicken is just so delicious. One of my grandmother's taught me more about pies, and the other one was a champion cake maker...we didn't use mixes to make things. I still don't use them.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51485)
• Canada
7 Dec
I think that most of our loved ones have a signature dish that we remember them for, something that they made better than anyone else.
I had an aunt that made THE best brownies that I named them ASB-Aunt Stella's Brownies.
I remember the feeling that I would have when my aunts would ask me to make the gravy for Christmas supper, and would tell me that I make it as good as Gramma did. I know that wasn't true, but I sure did try.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51485)
• Canada
7 Dec
@MarieCoyle I remember the joy that I felt inside myself when my aunts would tell me that my gravy tasted as good as Gramma's. She would be there of course, but as she aged, she had heart conditions, and we tried to lighten her load by preparing big meals when we gathered as a family. I can remember looking over to her, and she would always look so sad, and she was such an incredibly sweet lady, I would double check with her, asking quickly if I had stirred it long enough, just so that she felt useful, if only for a bit.
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
7 Dec
@Juliaacv
People need to feel useful, for sure. No one wants to just exist, we all need a purpose and interaction with others. You were more than likely a godsend to her, and you are very sweet as well...sounds like a family trait to me! 
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
7 Dec
Yes, many of the ones I remember did have a signature dish.
If I am with any of my kids and gravy is part of the meal, I can count on being told (not asked, after all I am mom!) that I must make the gravy. I taught them all how to do that, and when I'm not around, I know they can, but of course it's like you speak of, they always say mine is way better. I doubt it, but it sounds good, anyway.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (107932)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Dec
I think of my grandmother when I make noodles
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@wolfgirl569 (107932)
• Marion, Ohio
7 Dec
@MarieCoyle And if you are like me hers were better
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
That's who taught me as well. She made so, so many noodles over the years. A lot of time and work. But she just smiled and kept on. Good memories.
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
7 Dec
@wolfgirl569
Honestly, I made so many of them with her over the years, I think my noodles are actually on par with hers. Not bragging...but of all the things we made, it seemed we made noodles a LOT. Her coconut cream pie was from scratch and to die for. I make it sometimes. Everyone says it's really good. But to me, it just doesn't taste quite like Grandma's.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80659)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Dec
Nope none at all. In fact, I can remember certain things about Christmas when I was a child but how my parents and I celebrated with food nothing at all comes to mind,
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
7 Dec
Well, that's OK. I understand, different people remember different things.
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@LindaOHio (181320)
• United States
6 Dec
I remember the first time i made my grandmother's beef soup without a recipe. It was delicious and brought back so many memories. Big chunks of beef chuck, fork tender, carrots, celery, pastina, So good. Have a good weekend,
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
Sounds delicious to me, Linda!! Take care of yourself and stay warm!
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (2463)
• India
7 Dec
I do have food memories and you are right to point out that certain food or cuisines make us remember people. Have few friends who love certain sweets and food items. So, whenever we see those food items or have them , we remember them or talk about them . More or less , like you have pointed it out it is for special dishes and not for the common ones at home. Again, cuisines also bring memory. I do have an Italian friend and anything Italian or any new Italian bread or cuisine , we would remember her . Guess , some items are tagged to people and experiences in our brain. Well, enjoy the day
@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
7 Dec
It does seem as if many of us relate certain foods to certain people, and the legendary dishes they made live on through others. I think that's pretty nice, to be part of a good memory for someone.
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
7 Dec
My family loves meat loaf. However, they refuse to ever order it in a restaurant...they want to eat it at home. It never goes to waste around here.
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
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7 Dec
@Kamuigan
Meat loaf is so, so easy. I don't think you can mess it up unless you bake it too long.
@Kamuigan (228)
• Rainbow City, Alabama
7 Dec
@MarieCoyle I would like to make meatloaf, but I feel like it's easy to mess up lol. I'll have to browse some recipes and get some ideas.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160909)
• United States
6 Dec
I have inherited the job of making whole berry cranberry sauce, because my mom did it, so we are even carrying the memories for ward. My aunt made lemon meringue pie and so she is tied to that dish by memory. I actually have some of her recipes on cards she wrote herself.
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@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
7 Dec
I have so many recipes hand written by the grandmothers, my aunt, and close friends. They are the best recipes ever. Oh, lemon meringue pie sounds so good, Heather. Now I want some!!
@Marilynda1225 (83074)
• United States
6 Dec
My mom was a better baker than cook but she did have some dishes that I associate with her (pot roast, meat loaf, chicken & dumplings and what the family called her "famous' potato salad). My mom had a knack for making the flakiest pie crusts and I've never been able to make them as good as she did.
My family says my signature dishes would be mac & cheese, meat balls, and chocolate chip meringue cookies (which I make at Christmas)
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
Making good pie crusts seems to take a lot of practice for most of us. Sounds to me like your mom was a good cook. And I imagine with your family saying you have good signature dishes, you are as well, Marilyn!
@Shiva49 (26765)
• Singapore
6 Dec
I recall what foods were the favorites of my parents and son all the time.
We do have common tastes too.
It is a blessing that you were able to cook their favorites.
I can never forget those who were generous with their offerings and loving disposition.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38591)
•
6 Dec
I love looking back and remembering good people and nice times together. Funny how food often brings us together to help us make memories.
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@freelancermariagrace (28588)
• Philippines
6 Dec
Some foods remind me of certain people. For example, beef caldereta, a local dish, was a favorite of my late grandmother. Whenever I eat it, I remember her.
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