mouth-watering memories

Did you and your family experience any great kitchen moments this holiday season? Did you sit around and reminisce about the way mom used to use this special technique when making brownies? Or how about the time when Uncle Bobby roasted a whole pig in the backyard? Me, I ended up talking endlessly about grandma's specialty yams.

This year she couldn't make it to our house for Christmas, so my dad called her up to get her "secret" yam recipe and much to our surprise Grandma's No-fail Candied Yams begins with a can! That revelation led to a bunch of family food talk and although she couldn't be there with us, it felt like she somehow was.

So how about you, do you have any secret family recipes or mouth-watering memories you'd like to share? Join the Mouth-Watering Memories group and tell us about them! I'll post my favorite entries for everyone to enjoy!

When I was visiting my family for Christmas, my sister told me that the smell of cinnamon always reminds her of me. At first I was surprised, I wasn't sure why, but then she reminded me that I used to love chomping down on cinnamon flavored toothpicks. Apparently now whenever anyone eats Red Hots or Hot Tamales, she now thinks of the time I caught her sabotaging the kitchen in my dollhouse. Specifically how she shoved the toy root beer into the toy microwave and it NEVER came out...

So, how about you? Are there any food scents that trigger old memories? If so then post them in the Mouth-Watering Memories group.

I can't wait to read them all!

One of the things that I love about food is its ability to capture a moment in time. A taste, a smell, a dish can all bring back extra special memories. This time of year is full of food and family and almost everyone I know has a great story to tell. So whether it's a recipe that's been passed down for generations, or an anecdote from this year's holiday meal, join the Mouth-Watering Memories group and share your special kitchen moments with us all!

One of the things that I love about food is its ability to capture a moment in time. A taste, a smell, a dish can all bring back extra special memories. When I savor paella and manchego cheese it reminds of when I lived in Spain. When I smell barbecued chicken visions of summer and my father by the grill come to mind. When I eat brownies from a Betty Crocker box it reminds me of fourth grade and jungle gym playgrounds. When I miss my deceased grandmother Nan, I think of her most famous recipe, pork cutlets with monkey eyes. She told me that capers were monkey's eyes and I, forever shamefully gullible, believed her. Recently I found the recipe, in her handwriting, and gave it a try. It tasted better than I remembered! To make Nan's pork with monkey eyes, tell me about your fond food memories or share your grandmother's secret recipes join my new group Mouth-Watering Memories.