In my regular life in Philadelphia, I do all my own cooking. I've been living with a roommate for the last few years, but we have never gotten in the habit of sharing the task of cooking or mealtime. On occasion I'll have dinner with friends and we'll share in the cooking, but when it comes to breakfast and lunch, I am always on my own.
One of the joys of being at my parents' house for the holidays is the fact that the cooking gets shared. Last night my mom and I made a pot of chicken soup together and it was wonderful to share in the chopping, stirring and clean up together. This morning I was sitting at the dining room table when I heard my dad rustling around in the kitchen, opening the fridge, getting out a pan and breaking some eggs. He popped his head around the doorway, looked at me and said, "Scrambled eggs with cheese?"
I nodded emphatically and within a couple of minutes the plate you see above had appeared in front me. I took a bite and sighed in happiness as the taste of the tender eggs and sharp cheese moved across my tongue. Then I said, "I think eggs just taste better when someone else makes them for you!"
What are the foods that just taste better to you when someone else makes them for you? Is there some comfort food from childhood that one of your parents still makes for you? Have you taken to making that same food item for your own kids?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-20-2007 @ 4:26PM
Laura said...
I agree about eggs. I usually do most of the cooking in my household, but my boyfriend makes breakfast sometimes. His scrambled eggs or grilled cheese sandwiches are always more satisfying than the ones I make myself.
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12-20-2007 @ 4:53PM
DJ said...
pancakes. every time ive made them for myself i just end up disappointed, but if someone else is cooking, they are delicious.
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12-20-2007 @ 5:59PM
Phil Evans said...
Please add egg salad sandwiches - no good at home - great anywhere else.
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12-20-2007 @ 6:45PM
jaybird said...
My Grandma always used to make vegimite toast in the morning for me when I was a kid, now a young adult I still think nothing beats grandmas toast. shes had alot of practice so to her its a fine art!
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12-20-2007 @ 7:10PM
Jessica said...
I completely concur about the eggs... For me it's also my mom's chocolate chip cookies (that much more precious to my memory now that she's gone), and my grandma's "Cowboy Cake". No matter how many times I meticulously follow those recipes, they never seem to match the gastronomical bliss I remember experiencing when made by Mom and Grandma.
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12-20-2007 @ 9:44PM
annie said...
Buttered toast. I make terrific buttered toast, but I like it better if someone else makes it. If I am sick or sad or just tired and my mom or my husband presents me with two slices, lightly buttered, cut into triangles, I want to weep with gratitude.
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12-21-2007 @ 9:02AM
Gobo said...
Soup is a hundred times better when someone else makes it. When you eat soup you made yourself, it's too easy to think of all the different ingredients and seasonings... someone else's soup is just warm, delicious bliss.
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12-21-2007 @ 11:18AM
wintem01 said...
A martini, because I'm done working at that point.
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12-21-2007 @ 12:57PM
1p5v said...
French toast, for sure. From my mom through a couple of girlfriends, it alllllllways tasted better when I was able to just sit and be served. Mostly because I RARELY get the opportunity to do that, so it's a little special to me.
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12-22-2007 @ 8:31PM
dea said...
For me its always been a peanut butter and jelly sandwich... Actually i think most any sandwich is better when someone else makes it. Also eggo waffles no one could toast them butter them and syrup them like my grandma did...
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12-23-2007 @ 12:41PM
Gaby said...
My mom must go to some Magic Deli because even a half-hearted grilled cheese sammich from her rules more than one that I concentrate on making.
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