My mom and aunts cook (and even bake!) everything by eye or feel and so a huge impetus for my upcoming book was to document their recipes, otherwise they would all be lost when they pass away. Recreating many of their dishes left me feeling more connected to them than ever (even though I was living across the country at the time) nd even led to unlocking some core memories I had totally forgotten about it. So I'm with you - nostalgia is a huge driving force for me too!
I love hearing this Polina. There is SO much richness that comes from those connections we make through food and recipes. And, as you say, memories they can spark as well. I can't wait to see how it all comes together in your book!
This evoked so many memories. Growing up in Alaska we had lots of salmon and halibut and trout, but my parents always did the cooking. I didn't learn how to cook! After I married I learned to love it though and I treasure my parents' handwritten recipes (a few) and the inherited cookbooks...so many.
I totally agree about the handwritten recipes. Even if we don't cook from them, just having those recipe cards or scraps of paper can bring such joy and feelings of connection.
My mom and aunts cook (and even bake!) everything by eye or feel and so a huge impetus for my upcoming book was to document their recipes, otherwise they would all be lost when they pass away. Recreating many of their dishes left me feeling more connected to them than ever (even though I was living across the country at the time) nd even led to unlocking some core memories I had totally forgotten about it. So I'm with you - nostalgia is a huge driving force for me too!
I love hearing this Polina. There is SO much richness that comes from those connections we make through food and recipes. And, as you say, memories they can spark as well. I can't wait to see how it all comes together in your book!
This evoked so many memories. Growing up in Alaska we had lots of salmon and halibut and trout, but my parents always did the cooking. I didn't learn how to cook! After I married I learned to love it though and I treasure my parents' handwritten recipes (a few) and the inherited cookbooks...so many.
I totally agree about the handwritten recipes. Even if we don't cook from them, just having those recipe cards or scraps of paper can bring such joy and feelings of connection.