What were the Best Meals Your Mom or Dad Cooked for the Family?

Reflecting on the delicious memories of my childhood, my mother's culinary skills stand out above all. She was a versatile cook, mastering a wide range of cuisines from octopus and pasta to hand-rolled sushi and roasted fish. However, there was one simple yet unforgettable dish she prepared regularly that I can never quite match — a sautéed chicken breast in a lemon and herb sauce, garnished with caramelized onions and slivered almonds. The sauce was an explosion of flavors, incredibly rich yet light, with an abundance of umami and a herbal depth that I struggle to replicate.

Daunting Favorite Traditional Dishes

One of my mommy's most cherished dinner dishes was a Steak and Kidney Pie that she learned from her Scottish mother-in-law. Her pies were always delicious, and her cakes were no exception. Thanksgiving feasts, including turkey, baked ham, and garbanzo bean soup, were also crowd-pleasers. Her ability to create memorable meals drew family and friends alike to her kitchen table.

Mom's Dishes: A Mix of Art and Instinct

My mother was a wonderful cook, yet she often ended up dirtying every dish in the house. Despite my numerous suggestions to use larger bowls, she insisted on changing them frequently. She would also add various ingredients and seasonings, doubling the quantity of certain ingredients. While I found her food to be too salty and lacking pepper, my childhood memories remain filled with her lovingly prepared meals, especially her famous fried chicken, which was a cross between baked and fried with a perfectly seasoned coating and a crispy exterior. Another favorite was her Apple Dapple cake, which my older sister and I received with incomplete ingredients. This intriguing twist on a classic dessert speaks to the art of cooking with a personal touch.

Dad's Minimal but Versatile Cooking

In contrast to my mother's prolific cooking, my father was a more reserved cook. He excelled in a few traditional dishes like an au gratin potato and a meatloaf meal that became his signature. Pancakes were his forte as well. After my mother passed away, he began to dine out more often. Despite the convenience of having prepped food to cook, he would still choose to eat out. However, his skills in assembly and cooking were still highly praised by everyone who knew him.

Conclusion

While my parents each had their unique strengths in the kitchen, it is the sense of family and love that the meals brought together that remains the most cherished. These memories of taste and technique serve as a reminder of the enduring bond created through shared culinary experiences. As I grow older, I continue to seek inspiration from these memories to keep the tradition of exquisite family meals alive.