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What are your favorite holiday foods...
- Thread starter Matata
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Dirty rice and pineapple upside down cake.
The dirty rice because of my grandfather. He used to make it every thanksgiving/christmas. Even though he's been gone since my Sr year of high school, I'm reminded of him every time I make it. Last time I made some I started crying. He taught me how to make it when I was 5...its a memory that always stays with me.
Pineapple upside down cake because as a kid at christmas it was the last thing my mother made after a long night of cooking and the first thing devoured (for breakfast!!!) I hate cooked fruit sans a few. I tolerate pineapples because of this memory... My mom still makes it (though she dosent stay up all night to cook like she did when I was young) The nieces and nephews grew up with this tradition, and now its my great neices/nephews that get this memory.
The dirty rice because of my grandfather. He used to make it every thanksgiving/christmas. Even though he's been gone since my Sr year of high school, I'm reminded of him every time I make it. Last time I made some I started crying. He taught me how to make it when I was 5...its a memory that always stays with me.
Pineapple upside down cake because as a kid at christmas it was the last thing my mother made after a long night of cooking and the first thing devoured (for breakfast!!!) I hate cooked fruit sans a few. I tolerate pineapples because of this memory... My mom still makes it (though she dosent stay up all night to cook like she did when I was young) The nieces and nephews grew up with this tradition, and now its my great neices/nephews that get this memory.
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Arcadian thank you so much for sharing your traditions and sweet memories. I love the comfort that comes from preparing food that represents special people and times in our lives. Sometimes those memories are bittersweet when those who taught us those traditions are no longer on the earthly plain but the love endures.
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OOO! I love the Torrone too!
The last time I bought some, I was disappointed that they were no longer each in the tiny little boxes.
Also, where is that papery layer on the outside that I loved so much as a kid?
I also miss pizzelles. Both grandmas used to make them. I have been looking for a pizzelle iron, but they are hard to find where I live.
The last time I bought some, I was disappointed that they were no longer each in the tiny little boxes.
Also, where is that papery layer on the outside that I loved so much as a kid?
I also miss pizzelles. Both grandmas used to make them. I have been looking for a pizzelle iron, but they are hard to find where I live.
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Great topic, Matata! 
I learned something new from your post, even before reading the others.
Kringla! Never heard of it before. Just googled it and it sounds yummy!
Love butter tarts and pizzelle (Anise flavour, please), but I don't associate them with a particular holiday.
As demonstrated by Acadian's sweet post, food is so much more than just taste and texture.
Food is wrapped up in our traditions and memories.
My list:
Turnips and squash means its a holiday! Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter ...
Sweet Potato Casserole (no marshmallows). First made it when my children were young. A couple of Christmases ago, my daughter was home for Christmas and was shocked to find I hadn't made it. It never occurred to me that it was a 'tradition' for my kids. Now I know better.
Turkey. There has to be turkey at Christmas.
Mandarin oranges and chocolates. This goes back to my childhood when we'd get an orange in our stocking, and there would be chocolates in the house.
This thread has made me realize that my 'favorite holiday foods' is based on tradition, not taste.
I learned something new from your post, even before reading the others.
Kringla! Never heard of it before. Just googled it and it sounds yummy!
Love butter tarts and pizzelle (Anise flavour, please), but I don't associate them with a particular holiday.
As demonstrated by Acadian's sweet post, food is so much more than just taste and texture.
Food is wrapped up in our traditions and memories.
My list:
Turnips and squash means its a holiday! Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter ...
Sweet Potato Casserole (no marshmallows). First made it when my children were young. A couple of Christmases ago, my daughter was home for Christmas and was shocked to find I hadn't made it. It never occurred to me that it was a 'tradition' for my kids. Now I know better.
Turkey. There has to be turkey at Christmas.
Mandarin oranges and chocolates. This goes back to my childhood when we'd get an orange in our stocking, and there would be chocolates in the house.
This thread has made me realize that my 'favorite holiday foods' is based on tradition, not taste.
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I have a sweet tooth so just warning you before I list my favorite holiday foods.
Just a little backstory. My dh started baking (and cooking) for me shortly after we started dating and it was his way of showing how much he cared/cares. He would often bring me sweet treats. The very first thing he baked for me was raspberry almond bars and it always brings back such wonderful memories. I'm sorry I don't have any photos of that but another time.
Photos included from past holiday celebrations. Still lots of baking to come this year.
First up my dh's holiday butter cookies. They are always delicious and I am being objective I promise.
Next photo is my dh's cheesecake.
Right below that is his apple pie.
And then his simple pumpkin pie. Always delectable.
And lastly but not least his pumpkin cheesecake which is really awesome.
My favorite is his apple pie but his cheesecake is a close second though all his desserts are worth the calories IMO so I never turn any of them down. I mean it is only once (or twice or 3x
) a year after all, right?
These are my favorite "foods". I have always been a dessert girl and the main course is good but if I could only choose one thing it would be dessert.
Just a little backstory. My dh started baking (and cooking) for me shortly after we started dating and it was his way of showing how much he cared/cares. He would often bring me sweet treats. The very first thing he baked for me was raspberry almond bars and it always brings back such wonderful memories. I'm sorry I don't have any photos of that but another time.
Photos included from past holiday celebrations. Still lots of baking to come this year.
First up my dh's holiday butter cookies. They are always delicious and I am being objective I promise.
Next photo is my dh's cheesecake.
Right below that is his apple pie.
And then his simple pumpkin pie. Always delectable.
And lastly but not least his pumpkin cheesecake which is really awesome.
My favorite is his apple pie but his cheesecake is a close second though all his desserts are worth the calories IMO so I never turn any of them down. I mean it is only once (or twice or 3x
) a year after all, right? These are my favorite "foods". I have always been a dessert girl and the main course is good but if I could only choose one thing it would be dessert.
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Ellen
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Sweet potato pie (with marshmallow/candied pecan topping)
Dumplings (made with lard) --last time I ate those was 2008. This was a family recipe carried down for at least 4 generations before me. Think flat but thick 2x2 dumplings coated in gravy/butter. Omg delish and will basically clog your arteries, so beware. I will never forget the pleasure they always brought to my palate, even though I no longer eat them. Myyyyy goodness!
Pecan pie, uh...duh.
Fruit salad (in the style of ambrosia salad aka marshmallow-fluffy made with mayo/sugar/marshmallow fluff and plenty of marashcino cherries, mandarin oranges, sliced apples, sliced bananas, etc. It's the one thing there's never enough of.)
Deviled eggs!
Green bean casserole: ok, I am the ONLY person who likes and makes this side. I foodie it up, though, with several nontraditional ingredients, but the french fried onion topping is always the same. That's what makes it familiar and AWESOME.
Mac -n- Cheese: Southern soul food. Cannot live without.
Dressing: most people call it "stuffing," but lots of folks around here call it dressing. I make mine vegetarian, as in no meat, no meat broth, etc. Still, so good. I just make it with local bread crumbs (if I don't have any), veggie broth, butter, celery/carrots/mushrooms, and seasonings. A happy mouthful, it makes, every time.
Did I say sweet potato pie yet? Of course I did.
Dumplings (made with lard) --last time I ate those was 2008. This was a family recipe carried down for at least 4 generations before me. Think flat but thick 2x2 dumplings coated in gravy/butter. Omg delish and will basically clog your arteries, so beware. I will never forget the pleasure they always brought to my palate, even though I no longer eat them. Myyyyy goodness!
Pecan pie, uh...duh.
Fruit salad (in the style of ambrosia salad aka marshmallow-fluffy made with mayo/sugar/marshmallow fluff and plenty of marashcino cherries, mandarin oranges, sliced apples, sliced bananas, etc. It's the one thing there's never enough of.)
Deviled eggs!
Green bean casserole: ok, I am the ONLY person who likes and makes this side. I foodie it up, though, with several nontraditional ingredients, but the french fried onion topping is always the same. That's what makes it familiar and AWESOME.
Mac -n- Cheese: Southern soul food. Cannot live without.
Dressing: most people call it "stuffing," but lots of folks around here call it dressing. I make mine vegetarian, as in no meat, no meat broth, etc. Still, so good. I just make it with local bread crumbs (if I don't have any), veggie broth, butter, celery/carrots/mushrooms, and seasonings. A happy mouthful, it makes, every time.
Did I say sweet potato pie yet? Of course I did.
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