There is a lot of mentioning of 'the mom' as the cook. In my childhood home, my dad would be the primary cook. I thought all dads were growing up. And I must say, that in Denmark it's a shared chore in most homes - then and now (just not in mine as my husband can't cook).
My dad’s chosen recipe when he was alone with the kids was something he called “the food of the gods” - instant ramen noodles tossed in mayonnaise, with frozen peas and corn tossed in. I really thought of it as something special when I was a kid!
I did all the cooking for my family - mostly because I love cooking AND was the better cook. For better or worse, I never gave the kids easy out meals. That was their mom's job!
Oh, that’s fair! My dad was a terrific cook, and I don’t want to neglect the contributions of dads. But in the US, it’s pretty typical for the moms to do all or almost all of the planning, shopping, organizing, and everyday cooking, while the dads will grill on the weekend or cook a special dish or two on special occasions. Maybe that is changing, and dads are doing closer to 50 percent of the cooking these days. I hope so!
Apr 2, 2022·edited Apr 2, 2022Liked by Mari, the Happy Wanderer
With my own kids, they just ate what we were having, or didn’t. I’m definitely of the belief, “if they’re hungry, they’ll eat even if it’s not their favorite, and if they’re being picky, it means they’re overfed, so there’s no problem if they miss a meal.” Neither one of my kids was a picky eater. We never had discussions about what they ate or not, or tried to get them to eat or not. Eat it or don’t, but sit at the table and converse pleasantly!
When I was a kid, I mostly enjoyed having food at other people’s houses. I remember the first time I had kielbasa at someone’s house and that became a favorite.
And my step-grandma and step-great-grandma made good meals. Basic meat and potatoes stuff.
I think the smartest approach with kids and food is no pressure or special attention from the adults at all--exactly what you’re doing. We don’t want our kids to think of food as a way to rebel.
And how wonderful to have known (and enjoyed the cooking of) your step-great-grandma!
Who doesn't love a good Mac and cheese? After Arthur's heart attack we eat much less cheese and butter, which has led me to rethink the whole idea of comfort food. Maybe it's a crisp juicy apple or a fresh peach, or vegetarian refried beans with homemade guacamole. Whatever comforts me, and Arthur, as we learn to eat differently.
Your comment is reminding me of an essay you wrote many years ago, on how food is love. It is a loving thing that you have adapted your diet--and given up mac and cheese!--for Arthur's health.
My dad was the main cook and he grew up/I grew up mostly in the southwest and L.A. so Mexican flavors are my comfort food. My maternal grandma from Ireland also lived with us (and I lived in Ireland as a preschooler) so I had “piece and jam” for a quick breakfast or snack as often as I had a buttered warm tortilla.
You are so lucky! Mexican and Southwestern food is some of the best there is! It is so interesting, though: your buttered warm tortilla sounds a lot like the buttered warm lefse I grew up with. I think most cultures have a simple, pancake-like bread. There is more that unites than divides us!
Wait, is cheddar readily available in Switzerland?? I miss it terribly. I've stumbled across it once in an Italian supermarket (and immediately cleaned out the display, much to the bafflement of the cashier), but never again. Cheddar and/or pepper-jack cheese was part of almost every comfort food I can think of, and they all remind me vividly of my mom: grilled cheese (with rich wheat bread & a healthy slathering of butter) to go with tomato soup, quesadillas, twice-stuffed baked potatoes, tacos, burritos, an endless assortment of casseroles, and tangy bologna roll-ups with a slice of cheese and a fat homemade dill pickle in each one... sigh. You're right, now I'm starving. I will be stealing across the border soon with my cooler so I can make your delicious-sounding recipe.
Also: Many Italian children I've encountered are extremely picky & will only eat plain, unadorned meat or pasta with either tomato sauce or oil & parmesan. I've had kids here turn up their noses even at pancakes, waffles and, god help the little buggers, s'mores. I ask you, what sort of monsters don't like s'mores? ;p
They don’t like s’mores?! What the heckity heck? It might be a texture problem because of the marshmallows?
The cheddar that is available here is Cathedral Cheddar, from the UK. I’ve seen it in the US too. I was so happy when I saw it the first time I went to our local grocery store. Whew! I thought.
And your mom’s dishes sound just lovely--mmmm. Tacos and burritos (said in a Homer Simpson voice).
When I was a kid, my mom used to make a dish she called “string spaghetti.” It was just noodles in a tomato-cream sauce, but it was all us kids’ favorite and we only got it as a treat. I’ve lost my taste for it growing up - now it seems too sweet and a bit bland - but my younger sister still makes it for herself when she wants comfort food. :)
There is a lot of mentioning of 'the mom' as the cook. In my childhood home, my dad would be the primary cook. I thought all dads were growing up. And I must say, that in Denmark it's a shared chore in most homes - then and now (just not in mine as my husband can't cook).
My dad’s chosen recipe when he was alone with the kids was something he called “the food of the gods” - instant ramen noodles tossed in mayonnaise, with frozen peas and corn tossed in. I really thought of it as something special when I was a kid!
Peak dad treat! (And creative and nutritious too!)
I did all the cooking for my family - mostly because I love cooking AND was the better cook. For better or worse, I never gave the kids easy out meals. That was their mom's job!
Oh, that’s fair! My dad was a terrific cook, and I don’t want to neglect the contributions of dads. But in the US, it’s pretty typical for the moms to do all or almost all of the planning, shopping, organizing, and everyday cooking, while the dads will grill on the weekend or cook a special dish or two on special occasions. Maybe that is changing, and dads are doing closer to 50 percent of the cooking these days. I hope so!
With my own kids, they just ate what we were having, or didn’t. I’m definitely of the belief, “if they’re hungry, they’ll eat even if it’s not their favorite, and if they’re being picky, it means they’re overfed, so there’s no problem if they miss a meal.” Neither one of my kids was a picky eater. We never had discussions about what they ate or not, or tried to get them to eat or not. Eat it or don’t, but sit at the table and converse pleasantly!
When I was a kid, I mostly enjoyed having food at other people’s houses. I remember the first time I had kielbasa at someone’s house and that became a favorite.
And my step-grandma and step-great-grandma made good meals. Basic meat and potatoes stuff.
I think the smartest approach with kids and food is no pressure or special attention from the adults at all--exactly what you’re doing. We don’t want our kids to think of food as a way to rebel.
And how wonderful to have known (and enjoyed the cooking of) your step-great-grandma!
Who doesn't love a good Mac and cheese? After Arthur's heart attack we eat much less cheese and butter, which has led me to rethink the whole idea of comfort food. Maybe it's a crisp juicy apple or a fresh peach, or vegetarian refried beans with homemade guacamole. Whatever comforts me, and Arthur, as we learn to eat differently.
Your comment is reminding me of an essay you wrote many years ago, on how food is love. It is a loving thing that you have adapted your diet--and given up mac and cheese!--for Arthur's health.
My dad was the main cook and he grew up/I grew up mostly in the southwest and L.A. so Mexican flavors are my comfort food. My maternal grandma from Ireland also lived with us (and I lived in Ireland as a preschooler) so I had “piece and jam” for a quick breakfast or snack as often as I had a buttered warm tortilla.
You are so lucky! Mexican and Southwestern food is some of the best there is! It is so interesting, though: your buttered warm tortilla sounds a lot like the buttered warm lefse I grew up with. I think most cultures have a simple, pancake-like bread. There is more that unites than divides us!
Wait, is cheddar readily available in Switzerland?? I miss it terribly. I've stumbled across it once in an Italian supermarket (and immediately cleaned out the display, much to the bafflement of the cashier), but never again. Cheddar and/or pepper-jack cheese was part of almost every comfort food I can think of, and they all remind me vividly of my mom: grilled cheese (with rich wheat bread & a healthy slathering of butter) to go with tomato soup, quesadillas, twice-stuffed baked potatoes, tacos, burritos, an endless assortment of casseroles, and tangy bologna roll-ups with a slice of cheese and a fat homemade dill pickle in each one... sigh. You're right, now I'm starving. I will be stealing across the border soon with my cooler so I can make your delicious-sounding recipe.
Also: Many Italian children I've encountered are extremely picky & will only eat plain, unadorned meat or pasta with either tomato sauce or oil & parmesan. I've had kids here turn up their noses even at pancakes, waffles and, god help the little buggers, s'mores. I ask you, what sort of monsters don't like s'mores? ;p
They don’t like s’mores?! What the heckity heck? It might be a texture problem because of the marshmallows?
The cheddar that is available here is Cathedral Cheddar, from the UK. I’ve seen it in the US too. I was so happy when I saw it the first time I went to our local grocery store. Whew! I thought.
And your mom’s dishes sound just lovely--mmmm. Tacos and burritos (said in a Homer Simpson voice).
This is such a fun post!
When I was a kid, my mom used to make a dish she called “string spaghetti.” It was just noodles in a tomato-cream sauce, but it was all us kids’ favorite and we only got it as a treat. I’ve lost my taste for it growing up - now it seems too sweet and a bit bland - but my younger sister still makes it for herself when she wants comfort food. :)
This sounds delicious!
personally i think adults should have to eat what children eat! lol
Uh oh! I would have to start eating meat again!