Food = Love


My first experience with love and food (& the love of food!) started when I was a small child.

My grandma Dorothy provided both. I couldn't wait to go to my grandparents' house in Queens, NY to get lots of hugs & kisses, a toy, and best of all, a huge meal, always starting with canteloupe or grapefruit (depending on the season), a salad, then 3 main dishes. She worked with my grandfather at their fabric store & took Wednesdays off to clean house, shop and cook for the week, so Sunday was really her only day off and she still cooked all day.

She usually made my favorites, stuffed cabbages w/ meat & rice in a sweet sauce w/ raisins. Always chopped liver w/ egg & onion served on a wedge of iceberg lettuce for the holidays. There were always dried fruits and nuts out on the table for nibbling. I would eat until my stomach hurt.

My best memory of her was an elegant woman with her fancy clothes, hair and makeup wearing a house coat or shift all the time!!! If you didn't ask for second helpings, her standard line was "what's the matter? you didn't like it?".

She had an ongoing thing with my husband, always as we were leaving she would say "Henry, I made you a little something to take home", and out came a large aluminum pan of either homemade baked beans w/ hot dogs baked inside, or nicely wrapped meatloaves especially made and only for his consumption.

Food = Love.

My grandmother has been gone for about 6 years. I think of her often as I am cooking for large amounts of people in my TINY kitchen. But she had a great saying, which rings true: "If there is room in your heart, then there is room in your home".

For me, food has always been about love and caring about the people that are the recipients of that meal. So, you better ask for seconds and thirds & know that I love you!!!

Comments

Bluebird NY said…
I love your blog, Stacey. Is that a pic of your grandmother? You both are very glamorous chefs!

I've been in a relationship with food for a number of years and learned so much about fresh ingredients and how to use them from you! And being a recipient of many memorable meals and snacks at your home, I do feel the love...and always ask for seconds!!!

Keep it up - I'm copying recipes as I type this :-)

M
rcoda said…
Hi Stacey:

Reminds me of Myrtle, Grandma Coda... Henry's grandma. Always with the food-to-go. I will always remember sitting at her table and eating. Whether just me and her and Grandpa, or a giant feast with the entire clan there.

Love,

Rich
Anonymous said…
Hi Sis. Keep feeding my little brother that great food. Now I can steal your recipes easier. Love you, Paul
I couldn't agree more about food being an expression of love. Good stuff.

John
Meg said…
My grandmother made me stuffed cabbage and chopped liver with onions all the time. Must be a "Jersey" thing. I love it!
Awww, I love this Stace! Your Grandmother was beautiful, she'd be proud that you took right after her. You totally resemble her too, same smile. :))
Anonymous said…
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