Your Signature Dish

Your Signature Dish

One of my cousins recently inspired me to do an informal poll on our “Henderson Relatives” Facebook page. The poll had one question: What is your signature dish? You know, the dish you can rely on to always turn out, the one people ask you to bring to the next get-together, the one that is all gone at the end of the meal. It "can be thought of as the culinary equivalent of an artist finding their own style, or an author finding their own voice."

The question elicited some interesting responses such as:

"When is the family potluck? Where?"

Family Potluck

"I’ll bring the beer!"

Maritime Delicacy

"Stop! You’re making me hungry."

Hungry

"Are you making a family cookbook?"

Family Cookbook

"I can finally make brown bread like Aunt Charlotte did just using left over oatmeal porridge." 

Aunt Charlotte's Brown Bread

“I sure miss Grammie's rolls. Don't know how many times I asked for her recipe but she always said, "I never wrote it down. I just do it." But I miss her more than any baked good."

Grammie's Rolls

The family poll stirred up a lot of memories involving these women, our aunts and mothers. 

Betty, Mary, Jean, Gladys, Charlotte, Margaret

They were all good cooks, famous for baked beans, potato scallop, rolls, biscuits, chocolate cake with boiled icing, molasses cookies, a fine cup of tea and much, much more. And they were all good mothers, famous for warmth, comfort, humour, patience, generosity and gentleness.

The Henderson Family, 1920s

Honestly, how much love is imparted through food? There is pleasure in sharing a meal. There is comfort in comfort food. There is healing in a good cup of tea.

A Good Cup of Tea!

Think about this. What dish will you be remembered for? Meatballs? Lasagna? Broccoli Salad? 
Then think about this. What will you be remembered for? Your red hair? Your optimism? Your fabulous singing voice? Your sense of humour?

...Until Next Time...