A Return to Family Dinner
Thanksgiving Preview and More
Family dinner used to be sacred
Groups of friends and family (large and small) would gather, cook, break bread and share mealtimes. Talking about personal life developments, current events… and overall building connection.
As the idea of “cooking” was stigmatized as a ‘waste of time’, children were no longer taught how to cook basics; Home-Ec was removed from public education; culture told moms, specifically, to join the work force… TV dinners became easy… entertainment took center stage…. people started living on devices, not in real life…
and family dinner… the one time of the day where the nuclear family would join together and connect, was sacrificed in large part.
One of the benefits that I’ve seen from the lockdowns has been a return to cooking and shared meal times.
One of the few shows I follow with my parents is Blue Bloods… it’s about a family of cops and lawyers, but every week they have family dinner on Sunday… no matter what. They hash out issues and also come together on other things. It’s a great example of what is still possible… and I love it. 🙌
Thanksgiving will be here shortly, and my Aunt was in town this past week… I took that time to be off Twitter for the most part, and I have to say the break was really nice. As I spent time cooking for my family this past week, with my Aunt in the kitchen… I reflected on why family recipes and family meal times are so special.
I crafted a whole Thanksgiving Feast last year with the best pumpkin pie that man will ever know… but this year, I’m taking a different angle… will explain later.
What’s my connection to Family Dinner & Sunday Gravy?
Family dinner, every night, was sacred in my house. To remind you, my parents didn’t have much when I grew up but one thing was certain… every family member was at the table to pray and eat… daily. Whether it was a special holiday… or more likely a weeknight meal of meat and rice or tuna casserole (both of which I can taste now, just thinking about).
As far as my parents?
They didn’t have a huge tradition of family dinner… they decided to make it.
My dad grew up in a single mom home
My mother grew up in a family where mom didn’t cook…. like at all, unless there was an emergency.
So the fact that I grew up in a family that prioritized cooking and family dinner means you can change this course at any time in your life.
My aunt and father grew up eating Sunday Gravy (or “sauce”) from an Italian immigrant mother who was close to their family.
Ever since then… and my fathers love of “The Godfather”, which he passed down to me 😂, when I started cooking professionally adding Sunday Gravy to my repertoire was a given.
This is now not a frequent occurrence, but more of a special occasion which makes it all the more special.
I spent an entire day just cooking… no deadlines, pro pics or staging required.. and it reminded me why I love cooking so much.
So I made the sauce (inlc short ribs)
Then the meatballs… which if you are going to make, make a lot.
My fave thing to do is cook half in the sauce and roast the other half… so you have different textures.
Then finish by simmering the sausage in the sauce
This is love in a bowl.. or pot, depending how you view it 😉
I served this with zucchini noodles to lighten it up… and no one missed the pasta.. because my hacks are primo 👌
My aunt made her Italian peas… and it was completely different to what I would have… and this made me realize why family recipes are so important.
She used 3x the amount of EVOO in the peas, that I would have
She sweated the green onion, with a lid on
Added way more garlic than I would have… then cooked the peas down over 10 mins or so.
Result?
Absolutely delicious green peas… and I’ll make them like this whenever I miss her
This is why family recipes matter so much. 🙏
I took mental notes and now can always make my Aunt’s Italian Peas… and they are luscious… tasty and delicious…
Lesson?
Take notes on your family recipes to pass them down 🙏
So this weekend… I’m gonna give you recipes to make a Thanksgiving feast accessible for smaller groups.
What if you don’t have 14ppl coming over? I covered that last year.
This time I’m showing smaller groups how to make the best bird possible with no fuss
Then… Pumpkin Cheesecake… with bourbon whipped cream…. yeah… I said it
You gonna be mind blown… you want this.. forever