Memories can be triggered by the slightest thing: a touch, the sound of a voice, a familiar smell, or even just the first few bars of an almost-forgotten song. All of a sudden, you’re transported back in time, almost re-living moments all over again, just because someone mentioned your name a certain way, or was wearing an obscure cologne that reminded you of a faraway friend.
Each of our senses has that ability, so imagine the power of food, which often involves all our senses. It’s no wonder we often remember entire meals we’ve enjoyed years ago, and associate certain dishes with people close to us. Food is also one way we show someone that they matter to us, and getting together with friends and family typically involves breaking bread together.
We’ve all had our share of special meals or even just certain food items fraught with memories. We want to hear your stories! Tell us:
What food (for you) instantly triggers a cherished memory?
Maybe it’s a meal someone made for you, or that you prepared for someone else. Perhaps it’s something your mom or grandmother always made, or a favorite dish from a favorite restaurant. Maybe it was the snack you were always excited to find in your lunch box, or that after-school treat waiting for you when you got home.
My absolute favorite food-related memory dates back to when I was maybe around 4 years old or so. It’s not a particularly exciting-sounding meal (it involves sardines, bread, and coffee, among other things). But it was the meal my mom would make for me when I was sick. She’d carry me down to the dinner table and sit me on her lap, keeping one arm around me. With her other hand, she’d feed me, spoonful by spoonful, until I ate enough to keep me going. And it always made me feel better. To this day, sardines and bread always make me think of that, being warm in her arms, knowing that even though I felt horrible, she could make all of it go away.
I bet sardines never knew they had that much power.
Now we want to hear from you! Tell us what foods bring you back in time, and share those memories with us. We’re all ears!
41 Comments
Comments are closed for this recipe.
Bama on 2.10.2015
My Grandma Eva has been gone for over 40 years now, but I will always remember what a treat i thought I was getting when she made BLT’s for breakfast! This was usually on the mornings after she wheeled the black and white TV into the spare bedroom so we could watch Bonanza. She also made the best Sloppy Joes- a recipe I make now for my Grandson who loves them as much as I did.
Bettye on 2.7.2015
I always remember when I was sick my Mother made us potato soup and how we loved it !
What wonderful memories ….
Kathryn in Texas on 2.6.2015
Tacos and fried chicken were a big treat in our family growin up. We had 10 kids and as the oldest girl I had a lot of kitchen time. Mom would cut up and fry 4 chickens and I’d peel lots of potatoes and make the salad, “since I was such a good salad maker”. Tacos were a huge, exciting event. She would make tacos if I would fry the tortilla shells…and we always made a HUNDRED tacos. Some of the older kids could eat TEN! It was awesome! There was usually a roast beef dinner waiting for us after church on Sundays and she made a dessert every day! Mom really knew how to feed an army. We generally had several extra mouths to feed at supper. I think my brother’s friends enjoyed the organized chaos
Paula on 2.6.2015
So many food memories and associations from some great meals. I think the one that sticks with me even now though is that whenever we’d go away, whether to visit grandparents or on vacation, when we got home we always had tomato soup and sandwiches – either tuna or grilled cheese. You know, I still do that to this day. Such a simple meal, but it still means coming home to me!
Nikol on 2.6.2015
Sunday dinner at my grandmas! We always had the same lineup and to this day it’s comfort food for me. Roast, mashed potatoes, corn, fresh rolls and a chocolate cake frosted with Dream Whip and shredded coconut. It’s a carbohydrate nightmare!!!
Sue Sierk on 2.6.2015
Thanksgiving morning! Upon waking, the turkey was already in the oven for a few hours (that is when turkeys had to cook longer than they do now-but that is another subject!) and my Mom was beginning the dressing, oh the glorious smell of onions and sausage. Will always be my favorite meal!
Lezlie on 2.6.2015
Tuna Kraft – Kraft macaroni and cheese with tuna. My Mom always made it when we were going to have a babysitter. I still love it.
Beverly Howard on 2.5.2015
My favorite food memory was actually helping my Dad plant, then pick fresh veggies from our garden. It was great to eat what we had grown……..just made them very special!
Pat D on 2.5.2015
Roasted chicken and stuffing made with meted butter, onions, thyme and homemade bread cubes. Awesome Sunday supper.
Kate Reese on 2.5.2015
Growing up in England post WWII my mother could make the most delicious meals out of next to nothing. I can remember coming home from school and she would have a stuffed, rolled breast of lamb in the oven. I can still taste it today!
Joy on 2.5.2015
I grew up in the ’40’s and my mom made potato soup and added homemade noodles. She called them potato soup noodles.
I ate them often from the time I was 3 till I left home after high school. Don’t know how
I stayed so skinny. I often make potato soup when I don’t feel well or when I’m
feeling a little down. It perks me up. Mine sure don’t taste like hers, tho.
Laura @ My Friend's Bakery on 2.5.2015
My fondest memories are of my grandmother’s home made buns. She lived 3 hours away and we would spend many, many weekends there each year. We would drive out on Friday right after school and when she knew we were coming, she would spend the entire day baking fresh buns. She had them lined up, cooling, on all the counters in the kitchen. Buns after buns after buns. As soon as you pulled into her yard, you could smell that yeasty goodness from outside! It was Heaven! Now, each time I make buns I think of her and smile.
Donna on 2.5.2015
Food memories:
Mom always had the routine: Sundays, roast beef meal; Mondays, left overs; Wednesdays, Spaghetti; Fridays, fish; Saturdays, beans and franks. Funerals always meant sour cream coffee cake. (don’t remember what was served on Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Grandmother, my favorites were chicken fricassee or linguesa, potato, bean and kale soup.
Dad always made Sunday breakfast which involved bacon with sugar on top and eggs.
Alison H on 2.5.2015
My grandpa would always make us (me and my 3 siblings) grape jello with fruit cocktail in it when we went to visit them. And buy us M&Ms….love and miss him still!!
Jenny Z on 2.5.2015
My dad’s chocolate chip cookies. My mom was sick a lot when I was growing up. Often the day before she’d come home from the hospital my dad would tell us that if we cleaned the house real well, we’d have chocolate chip cookies and ice cream for supper. …As a kid I did not realize how brilliant my dad was – we not only helped clean the house, but we weren’t as bummed about our mom being sick again – we were focused on the treat of Dad’s fresh choc. chip cookies and ice cream for supper!
DessertForTwo on 2.5.2015
I forgot to mention what my story had to do with food! Sorry! So, my brother fixed me chicken noodle soup (from the can), but I poured milk in it to show my mom that something was wrong with it. Another point for little sister
DessertForTwo on 2.5.2015
Awww, such a sweet post! I’m loving these touchy-feely ‘ask the crowd’ posts
My favorite food memory is from when I was 8 or so and had the chicken pox. My brother is 14 years older than me, so my mom let him stay home from school to take care of me. We played and jumped on the bed the whole day. Then, my mom came home and all of a sudden, I was ‘sick.’ My brother kept insisting that right before my Mom walked in, I was perfectly fine. Little sister for the win!
Heather on 2.4.2015
My grandpa would cook up sourdough flapjacks for breakfast whenever my brother and I got to spent the night there as little kids. To this day I can’t think of a better meal than sourdough flapjacks and my kids now love them, too.
slickquilter on 2.4.2015
I forgot the home made ice cream…how could I. Dad would fix the mix, adding real vanilla beans or fruits and berries in season and set us kids to cranking. You had to work for the food in our house but it was great!
slickquilter on 2.4.2015
On Sunday’s my Dad prepared breakfast, dinner and supper for the family. It was his only day off and he chose to fix breakfast to help Mom while she got us all ready for church. He would make from scratch waffles or buckwheat pancakes, telling us young ones those black flecks were his shaved off whiskers. We would have homemade fruit or berry syrups in the winter and fresh fruit and berries in the summer, sometimes with whipped cream. YUM! (My mouth is watering recalling these meals.)
He would use the big cast iron dutch oven filled with homegrown chicken, beef or pork and lots of vegetables to cook Sunday dinner. The house smelled so good when we got home from church, usually bringing along another family or friends for the big meal.
For supper it was homemade tomato soup using the tomatoes we canned all summer and fresh cow’s milk with Saturday’s baked bread and the butter us kids made in an old gallon size hand churn.
It was a wonderful way to grow up and I continue with most of these traditions (minus the whipped cream and butter–no cow or whiskers). A few weeks ago a sister called wanting his recipes to share with her family–5 generations of them. Good cooking, good memories and those recipes will outlive us all!
Jim on 2.4.2015
WOW! What A Post!
So many memories and some regrets!
My Mom’s Chicken and Noodles! When I was in choir at church, when my Mom cooked, all the other kids were excited for dinner!! And it was always something that I knew and loved! I really have to make that again! And Grandma’s Johnny Manzetti! Another one all the kids were HAPPY that my Mom was the cook on Wednesday!
Oh and, Grandma’s Strawberry Pie! The Best!
Regret, fear of Rhubarb: Grandma’s Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie…She’s gone now, for a number of years, and it was everyone in my family’s favorite! Especially my Dad, it was his favorite, from his Mom (I missed out).
I LOVE HER STRAWBERRY PIE!!. and her Antipasto!
Mom’s Mom’s bread, waffles with bacon inside, and all her glorious Christmas Cookies! And her Husband’s (Grandpa!) Fish Fry!
Thanks For Asking!!! I have to go make chicken and noodles now and Mahogany Cake with Apricots!! (Another fab dish Dad’s Mom!!)
Rusty H on 2.4.2015
Oh my . . . whenever I make brisket with kasha varnishkes (Jew food), I immediately think of my mother (whom I miss dearly). That meal represents family gatherings, holidays and good times.
AngAK on 2.4.2015
Holiday cooking: Pascha Easter bread with colored eggs surrounding it, Stollen Christmas bread, roast turkey for all holidays. Mom’s simple yeast coffee cake with struessel or butter and cinnamon sugar. and Oma’s verenyki.
DebbieK on 2.4.2015
Wow – what a great question. There are foods which were the signature dishes of my beloved mother and grandmothers. For my mom, it was her country fried steak with peppery milk gravy. For my mom’s mom, it would be her meatloaf. And for dad’s mom, it would be her cinnamon rolls. Loving and great cooks who are no longer physically with us, but in my heart everyday and in the loving ways in which I continue to prepare food for our family.
Glenda on 2.4.2015
Home made Vegetable Soup! In the winter on the coldest days, my siblings and I would walk home from our school bus stop freezing, and there would be a pot of hot soup on the stove. Homemade vegetable soup and a glass of cold milk is still my favorite winter food.
Arlyne Michelle on 2.4.2015
I was raised on homemade bread. Mom baked bread regularly and one of our favorite treats was fried bread with butter and sugar. She always saved a piece of dough if we were at school when it was baking day and that is what she would make for me, my brother and sister as an after-school treat. Baking bread smells take me home to mom’s kitchen.
C. L. ( Cheryl ) "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on 2.4.2015
Some of my fondest memories were in my Daddy’s Restaurant and my Uncle’s (His brother) the Restaurants were across town from one another. I worked with my Dad and Uncle through High School and summer time when off from college. I loved the smell of fresh Roasted Beef; I just loved the end cut, with mashed potatoes (yes, homemade) gobbs of gravy – ah, I was in heaven! My Uncle Roger made the very best homemade Soups. Both Brother’s were excellent Chef’s! I had great role models however, Restaurant work or ownership was never on the horizon for me personally. I went on to better things (Ha!). Happy Memories as we all walk down memory “Food” lane! Cheryl
CC in NJ on 2.4.2015
The smell of pizza dough……reminds me of my dad. My dad was a baker and was good at making homemade bread and donuts. But on Friday nights it was pizza night! He would make the dough in the morning and let is rest and rise. When he was ready to make the pizza it was so fun, he would always let us sprinkle the cheese on, he’d even let us eat some as we were putting it on. When grandkids started being born he’d get them right in there making pizza with him. The first bread most of the grandkids had was papa’s pizza crust! Dad passed away 14 years ago, but the memories will live on forever!
Jessica on 2.4.2015
My mom makes chicken cutlet, which is pretty much chicken parm without the baked cheese on it. It was a favorite meal in our family and I would do all the steps up to the frying. We always had it with egg noodles and homemade marinara. Now that is a very good meal!
Patricia @ ButterYum on 2.4.2015
For me it’s got to be my mother’s eggplant parmesan. It was my favorite meal so I’d pay very close attention as she made it. I probably could have made it all by myself by the time I was 7 or 8 (well, not the frying part). It’s still my favorite meal. Another fond memory I have was getting mini milkyway candy bars and buttered spaghetti from one of the neighbors – she was a retired lady who never had any children of her own, but she was very grandmotherly to all the neighborhood kids. She was such a kind and wonderful lady.
Marsha Siperek on 2.4.2015
I was brought up in a Navy family and we were always so far away from extended family, so other Navy families became your family. With a diverse background of nationalities, it was always an adventure sharing meals. My fondest memory was having Korean crab boil just enjoying natures bounty and great people
Patty Paulsen on 2.4.2015
Ahhhh, so many memories! Postum with milk and soft boiled eggs over toast at my great grandma’s breakfast table. Newly-dug baked red potatoes for dinner at grandma’s. A scoop of vanilla ice cream plopped right in the middle of half a cantalope after a hot August day (I can still see the orange sunset flowing over the mountains as I sat on the porch with my brothers while we dug into that delight). The first time I ever had chili spaghetti was after a day of sledding with my friends. The three-for at the Saturday matinee: Soda, popcorn and candy (cost a quarter!). Sunday pot roast with carrots and potatoes that cooked while we were at church (oh the smell when we walked into the house).
Diane on 2.4.2015
Biting into a maple bar always reminds me of making them with my Gram. The whole family would sit around the kitchen table and visit while my Aunt and I helped her make them. Then everyone would eat them while they were still warm. It is still a wonderful memory.
Shawna C on 2.4.2015
When I was little my grandmother would visit every weekend and in the mornings she would read to my sister and I in bed. When she got tired of reading she’d make us breakfast: either buttered egg bread and Hungarian salami or sliced French baguette with paté that she’d bring from Montreal, paired with peeled and sliced apples or orange segments, and sweet milky instant coffee. Sometimes she’d also squeeze us fresh orange juice and strain out the seeds and pulp. So good! We were spoiled rotten!
I’m very lucky that she’s still hale and hearty and visits us from Montreal on holidays, but alas, I’m too old to be read to and served breakfast in bed, and with my son’s egg allergy he couldn’t eat that meal, so the tradition has fallen by the wayside. My kids will probably remember her for the copious amount of bacon she cooks every morning when she’s visiting. My husband too for that matter…
Dottie1 on 2.4.2015
My favorite memory would be my Mom’s applesauce cake. I loved it. I ask for it every birthday.
Alicia S. on 2.4.2015
Jellied cranberry sauce, from a can, will always remind me of my dear grandma. Every Thanksgiving she would open it up and plop it onto a plate, and of course it kept the can shape. She also made me cream cheese sandwiches, just cream cheese on white bread, that I still make when I feel I can handle the extra calories!
Lyndsey Asher on 2.4.2015
Making homemade biscuits with my grandma and cousins. We had to have them quarter size too to lay in our coffee. lol
Allyn on 2.4.2015
My grandmother, Posey, always made the best spaghetti. It’s what I would request for birthdays, and any time we had a family gathering, if there was spaghetti, it felt a little like a gift just for me. I found out years later that her recipe involved jarred sauce, lots of sugar, and about a stick of utter that was tossed in the noodles, but I still love it. I’ve worked for years to develop a bolognese that hopefully my future children and grandchildren will love as much. It might not be Posey’s recipe, but it’s most definitely in her honor: https://girlnamedallyn.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/bolognese/
Jackie d on 2.4.2015
A poached egg. Actually a poached egg on roman meal wheat bread. My grandma ate that or oatmeal every morning for breakfast. I love a poached egg on wheat bread and to this day the smell of cooking it instantly triggers my grandma and wonderful memories of her.
Linda Ann on 2.4.2015
My favorite meal was one prepared by my grandmother. She lived about an hour and a half away. We would leave in the morning and arrive at her house for lunch…which was really dinner. When we would come through the front door, the entire house smelled of simmering pot roast. The meal always consisted of pot roast in brown gravy, mashed potatoes and either corn or peas. She also made the best coleslaw ever, and though it didn’t really go with the meal, she always made it because I loved it so. My grandmother passed over 35 years ago, but the smell of pot roast always takes me back to those wonderful times at her house…and of course, of her.
West TX Judy on 2.4.2015
Scallops! New Jersey Scallops! I was just a working girl living far away from TX,.. and the sweetest guy named Ev took me to a floating restaurant that served these luscious big , juicy, buttery things! Growing up in TX I had NO Clue. I had had shrimp before but not Scallops and certainly not like this delicious dish. The year…..1967 ! I have never had Scallops like that again….I think Ev wanted to impress me knowing I would not know what that was b/c TX was BEEF country. Thanks Ev….I think of that meal every time someone even mentions fish…..it was a fun evening. I have no idea what happened to EV as I moved to the West Coast, but boy do I remember his laughing as I put those delicious Scallops into my mouth and said ” Oh my gosh, what is this, it is out of this world.” funny.