The Problem with Never Repeating Dinners
Overheard at the dinner table last night, “Mom, is this recipe going to be a keeper?” “Sure Annie, do you like it?” “Yes, it’s good.” “Fat chance you’ll ever see it again,” said Joe sarcastically.
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7 Responses to “The Problem with Never Repeating Dinners”
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Well if you’ve never repeated a dinner (which is mind boggling to me) haven’t you thrown out the old family recipe tradition. You can never be reminded of grandma’s meals unless you cook them. Or maybe absence makes the heart grow fonder (if not the stomach). I don’t know if I got a good recipe I’d stick with it.
You’re right. I should have been more clear. I meant the constant flow of new recipes that I try are rarely repeated. The old family favorites like grandma’s chicken or sunday pasta with gravy are repeated. But there aren’t too many of those dishes, unfortunately.
I guess I too misinterpreted what you said. It does sound as though you NEVER repeat a recipe. Thanks for clearing that up. I used to try new recipes all the time but as one gets older and there are less people in the household to cook for, the tried and true (and memorized) recipes are easier and faster than squinting at a recipe book. I still will give an occasional, newly found, easy sounding recipe a try when I’m feeling energetic but repeating family recipes is the backbone of creating tradition and memories for the next generation.
Totally right, Zoogirl. I really know I should do that more often.
It is a rare occurrence when a recipe is repeated in our home. Macaroni and gravy, burgers, dogs, sausages, steak etc. are excepted along with the occasional meatloaf or chicken (but even these are prepared a little differently each time).
Donna has too much culinary ground to cover to waste a meal on a repeat recipe. The volumes of cookbooks, food articles, newspaper food sections and Food Network recipes that have to be compulsively explored are overwhelming.
Yes, it does mean that our children will not be able to look back fondly and recall the 10 or 12 dishes that mom had in regular rotation as they were growing up (for me this would include steak pizziola, chicken with broccoli and lentil soup). On the other hand, dinner at our house is like visiting a new restaurant every night.
That’s a good trade-off!
Joe, I’m happy you haven’t tired of my food experiments yet.
Joe, Annie and Louisa are lucky to have a wife/mother who is adventurous, energetic and creative on a daily basis. As long as Donna throws in her traditions and your steak pizziola, chicken and broccoli and lentil soup from time to time enjoy the adventure with her!