When looking back to our childhood many of us have special and happy memories of some of the food that we were given by our parents and grandparents. And despite numerous attempts to replicate said dish, meal or dessert nothing ever quite compares. This can lead to many frustrations as we begin to really crave that elusive recipe. Fortunately, there is a rather simple solution to this moving forward, one which will mean that future generations don’t have to go through these same frustrations.
When looking back to my childhood I regularly think about the flapjack that my nan used to make. It tasted so good and every time she made it; I was over the moon. She made plenty of it but due to how desirable it was my family, between us, soon ate the lot. From the first time I ate her flapjack, it became one of my favourite foods. Unfortunately, my nan passed away a few years ago and one of my big regrets is not asking her for the recipe. She was very much aware of just how much we loved her flapjack and even when I was an adult it was something she would bake on a regular basis. I have no idea as to why I didn’t ask her for the recipe, it seems a bit crazy that I didn’t. I have bought numerous flapjacks from many different shops and I have tried plenty of times to make my own flapjack. But guess what? Yes, none of them come close to how tasty my nan made it.
As parents now ourselves we are aware that our children have their own special memories of food that we have provided and continue to provide them. As an example, my son can’t seem to get enough of the chicken curry that I make. The recipe is one that I made up by experimenting with different herbs and spices. It is no doubt not to everyone’s taste, these things never are, but my son always requests I make it when he comes to visit. Just like the way I was with my nan; my son has never asked for the recipe. But I decided to write it out on my laptop and I then printed and framed it for him. I presented it to him a few weeks ago as a New Year’s gift. I stated that I am more than happy to continue to cook this curry for you but this framed recipe is for you to keep just in case anything was to happen to me, and for you to use when you are at home if you ever have the time. He was thrilled to bits and gave me a big hug! He said that he doubted whether he would be able to ever get it as good as I made it but that he’d give it a good go. At the end of the day, it’s all in the recipe so there’s every chance it will be just as good, I replied.
My son hasn’t as yet had a chance to make the curry as it’s been a busy start to the year for him. The fact that he now has the recipe safely framed means that he will be able to at any time in the future.