home cooking

Home Is Where The Heart (And The Cooking) Is

Do you have a special recipe that reminds you of where you grew up? Maybe it's your mom's mashed potatoes, or your grandmother's famous pumpkin pie. Whatever it is, it stirs up feelings and memories that are associated with childhood and youth. Home cooking has become a culinary style that many professional chefs try to invoke. It causes feelings of nostalgia, making the diner feel happy and fulfilled. Though home cooking was not originally a specific concept, it has evolved to become a cooking style that professional chefs—as well as cooks all over the world—strive for in their dishes.

Meals And Memories

There are several meals that are typically associated with the home cooking style. These meals are usually heavy or rich—but they are always delicious! They can be different from chef to chef, because one characteristic of home cooking is that the meals frequently come from family recipes. The meals or dishes can also vary by country and region, because this too can affect the meals that one ate while they were growing up. There are a wide range of factors that affect what meals are associated with "home cooking." Thus, no two home cooking recipes are exactly alike—each has their own touch from the heart!

Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and sweet potatoes are a few typical meals that are often associated with the term "home cooking." Fried chicken and hush puppies are two items commonly associated with southern soul food. In Italy, home cooking might include dishes like lasagna and veal. In Spain, a home cooked meal might incorporate rice and enchiladas.

A Special Secret Recipe

Finding a recipe and making it special in some way—like by serving it on an annual special occasion—can make it fall under the category of home cooking. Try a recipe for cornbread—it might just become an instant family classic!

To begin, gather 1 cup of yellow cornmeal, 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 cup of whole wheat pastry flour, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ½ cup of canola oil, and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately in two different bowls, and then combine them well. Pout the mixture into a well oiled baking pan, and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Family Favorites

It is great to come home for a holiday or special occasion and find your favorite meal cooking on the stove. Not only does it mean you get to have a special treat, but it also stirs up childhood memories.