Tastes To Remember: The Round Up

Whenever I come across a recipe that someone is raving about, saying that it's a family favorite, I always want to try it. I just can't help but want to share in the goodness that can come from a recipe that is so good, it's been being made within a family for many years. I think there is something so special and sacred in these kinds of recipes, making them worth writing down and sharing them so others can join in the goodness! This is why I decided to host the blogging event Tastes To Remember. I wanted to give fellow bloggers the opportunity to share a recipe that reminds them of their childhood, as well as to collect a few more recipes that are apparently so good, they have been being made for years. I also love that feeling you get from a certain kind of recipe, you know the one I'm talking about. For example, when you're feeling sad or homesick, and the only thing that'll make you feel better is to make that dish your mom used to make for you when you were a child. That feeling.
And now, I'd like to share with you the wonderful collection of recipes that people so eagerly submitted to the Tasted To Remember event. I hope you enjoy some of these recipes as much as the people who grew up with them!





My lovely friend Marisa, from Saline, Michigan brings us Cozze Siciliane, or rather Mussels Sicilian style. This is one her family's all-time favorite meals, and was usually enjoyed in Sicily before heading out to the beach. This dish can easily be made as an appetizer by simply halving the recipe. Marisa does not have a blog, but if you are interested in this recipe, simply email me at sarahbialock@yahoo.com, and I'd be glad to send you the recipe. Thanks for sharing Marisa!


Elle of Elle's New England Kitchen, comes to us from New Hampshire with her recipe of American Chop Suey. Elle's mother made it for her children when growing up, and then went on to make it for Elle's children when they were young. Elle says this is a great "comfort" food, and also makes an easy dish for a potluck! Thanks for sharing this special recipe with us Elle!




Ruth of Ruth's Kitchen Experiments comes to us from Northern Ireland, and shares this favorite childhood recipe of Baked Apples. Ruth remembers not only her mother cooking for her while growing up, but also her father, who would often make these as a dessert for the family. Ruth says that she likes to add cinnamon to these "bad boys", or even dried apricots or fresh strawberries. Thanks Ruth, for sharing this recipe that has such meaning to you!


Amy of Delicious By Nature joins us from my neighboring state of California. Amy is kind enough to share with us her Family Favorite Nachos, eaten mainly as an afternoon snack while doing homework as a child. Amy points out that we do often get our eating habits from our parents, as Amy's mom loved chips, being one of the reasons this snack was eaten so frequently. As an adult, Amy has worked to lighten this snack up by using brown rice chips and yogurt cheese. Thanks for sharing Amy!


Marc of No Recipes joins this event from New York. Marc shares one of his favorite breakfast recipes, Chilled Cucumber with Sesame Miso Over Rice, or Hiyashijiru. Marc attaches with this dish the memories of hot and humid summers in Japan, spent with helping his grandfather fish and his great-grandmother pick crops. This dish can easily be made with fish or with a muhroom and kelp-base if you're looking for a vegetarian alternative. Thanks, Marc, for sharing with us this refreshing recipe!


Michelle, over at Big Black Dogs, comes to us from Barrington Hills, Illinois. She brings us a rather interesting dish that goes all the way back to her great grandparents, Fried Dandelion Blossoms. When Michelle thinks of her childhood, she immediately thinks of these two special people and the memories she had with them as a young girl. I must say, these look awesome! Thanks, Michelle, for sharing with us and taking us into your childhood.



Cheryl, of Cooking, Duncan Style, joins our event from my future home state, Beaverton, Oregon. Cheryl has fond memories of eating Cheeseburger Macaroni as a child, although she assumes it was from a box. She decided to re-create this comforting dish and make it from scratch. This is an easy recipe to put together and is sure to please anyone looking for a good, comforting meal. Thanks for sharing with us Cheryl!




Fiona, of Recipes2Share.com, is British and currently living in Paris. She shares with us these beautiful Butterfly Cakes, which were a favorite treat of hers growing up. She recently made them for a British Day at her daughter's school, and I'll bet the children just loved them! Thanks for sharing a special childhood recipe with us Fiona!




Ricki, of Diet, Dessert and Dogs, joins us from Ontario, Canada. After pondering over several of her mother's recipes, she finally decided on re-creating this one, Vegan Farmers Cheesecake. This dessert stretches far back into Ricki's family, all the way to her father's grandmother. No matter what kind of day was being had in this family, Ricki remembers that it could all be made ok when her mother set a slice of this dessert down on the table. Thank you, Ricki, for sharing this beautiful dessert with us.




Nicki Miller-Ka, over at NicSnacks, brings us her recipe of Mother's Tongue Pasta Bake. Nicki claims this is a "designer pasta," with ribbons of green, purple, yellow, and orange streaked throughout it. Nicki makes this recipe as a tribute to her grandmother, a person who has great meaning in Nicki's life. Her grandmother is the reason why Nicki has loved food so much, and why she continues to do so today. Thanks, Nicki, for sharing your meaningful recipe and story with us!


Mansi, from Food and Fun, comes to us from California. Mansi shares with us this recipe that is an excellent choice for a crowd, Tandoori Paneer Tikka, or rather succulent cubes of paneer marinated and grilled or baked in a "tandoori oven", then served with grilled vegetables. She claims that like many Indians, she grew up eating this recipe, both at home and out at restaurants. For this event, she chose to serve it with a mango dressing. Thank you Mansi, for sharing your childhood recipe with us!



Ohio Mom, from Cooking In Cleveland, joins us from Ohio. She brings us her humble entry of Daddy's Biscuits, which she indulged in often as a young child. She remembers eating these baking powder biscuits on Sunday mornings and slathering them with country butter and honey. Thanks Ohio Mom, for sharing your memories with us!







Anna, from Morels & Musings, comes to us from Sydney, Australia. She brings us her childhood recipe of homemade cornbread, which was served alongside Chilli Con Carne for a staple weeknight meal. This bread is soft and sweet, and when served hot, reminds Anna of her mum. Thanks for sharing this great recipe Anna!




Marija, of Palachinka, joins us from Belgrade, Serbia with a recipe for Grandma Jela’s Cake. This cake is actually a family member’s adaptation of a ‘Torte Reform’, one of the most popular cakes in Serbia. Marija remembers eating this cake often during birthdays as a child, and has tasty ingredients such as apricot jam and hazelnuts. Thanks Marija!








Toontz, of Okara Mountain, comes to us from Wisconsin with her memorable recipe of Apple Bars. Toontz remembers coming home from school to a plate of these, freshly made by her mother, served with a big glass of cold milk. Made with okara, these bars are a great treat for those who don’t eat dairy products. Thanks Toontz, for traveling down memory lane for us!








Y, of Lemonpi, joins us from Sydney, Australia with her recipe for Fig Bars/Fruit Pillows. As a young child, she enjoyed eating Arnotts Fruit Pillows, mainly because of the images the name helped to conjure up in her mind. Made with dried figs and orange zest, these are sure to provide a great deal of flavor into a tiny snack! Thanks Y!





Mariana, of History of Greek Food, joins us from Athens, Greece with her memorable recipe for Almond Cream. According to Mariana, her mother used to make this when “…my sister and I were sad. Until the age of 8 years old we both believed that this fine dessert had the magic power to drive the sorrow out of our lives.” Thanks Mariana, for sharing with us that sweet memory.






Shaye, of Smarter Than Pancakes, comes from Indiana with her contribution of Tuna Casserole. One of the first dishes her mother taught her to make, this is a comforting weeknight meal that is easy to assemble with ingredients like canned creamy soup. I’m wondering if most people have a tuna casserole in their repertoire of family recipes, because I know I do! Thanks Shaye, for sharing your memorable dish with us!







Katrina Hall, of She’s in the Kitchen, joins us from New Hampshire. Katrina is new to the blogging world and shares her recipe of Portuguese Kale Soup. Growing up on Cape Cod with her Portuguese step-father, Katrina often enjoyed this heartwarming soup. Linguica is a main ingredient, which is a lean and tasty Portuguese pork sausage. Thanks Katrina, for sharing your soup with us.




Jessica, of The Delish, comes from Pleasant Lake, Indiana with her recipe of Jalapeno Beer Cheese. She says this is reminiscent of all those Friday nights spent at the roller rink, football game, and mall, eating soft pretzels with “cheese product.” I definitely remember that cheese! Thank you Jessica, for taking me back in time with your recipe!









Rajani, of The Vegetarian in the Me, comes to us all the way from Dubai, UAE. Her contribution is Tangy Tamarind Salsa or rather a traditional tamarind chutney. This dish is known as Puli Pottichhathu which loosely translates to crushed tamarind. Although it hasn’t been made for her in years, this dish was often made for Rajani by her loving grandmother, who amazingly is 100 years old. Thank, Rajani, for sharing!


Srivalli, of Cooking 4 All Seasons, joins us all the way from India with her recipe for Onion Chapatis, or rather Onions in Indian Flatbread. Though Srivalli doesn’t make these often, she enjoys the memories they give her. Mixed with onions, spices, and rolled out as chapattis, these sure do sound delicious! Thanks, Srivalli, for sharing with us!






Kittie, of Kittens in the Kitchen, joins us from Brighton, UK. She shares with us Chilli Con Carne, a dish that her father used to make when their mother was out of town. You can serve this chili with rice or stuff it inside of pita pockets. Kittie recommends eating this with your hands and in front of the television! Thanks, Kittie, for sharing your childhood recipe with us!



Siri, of Siri’s Corner, joins us from New York with her contribution of Egg Puffs. Siri remembers having these warm, homemade treats as an afternoon snack. Her mother would make them for Siri and her sibling at least 3 times a week! They would often fight over who would get the bigger portion! Thanks, Siri, for sharing your childhood recipe with us!



Johanna, of Green Gourmet Giraffe Blog, comes to us from Melbourne, Australia. She shares her recipe of Mashed Vegetables with Promite. As a child, Johanna’s mother would often mix together mashed potatoes, mashed pumpkin, peas, along with some vegemite. Johanna has re-created this dish using Promite. Thanks, Johanna, for sharing this recipe with us!




Sarah, of What Smells So Good, comes to us from Ontario, Canada with her memorable recipe for Lassy May Cookies. Raisins and molasses are two key ingredients in these cookies, both of which were childhood favorites of Sarah’s. I also give her credit for trying to make these cookies more wholesome, unlike the ‘preservative-packed’ ones she remembers. Thanks, Sarah, for sharing these with us!







For this event, I recently made my mother's Spaghetti & Sauce, which I've been eating ever since I can remember. I posted it just a few days ago, so click here to view the recipe.