This hit me hard. A lot of my food memories are linked to being with my grandparents, my Nanny in particular was a brilliant cook. Then when I was 18 she had a breakdown and was hospitalised. Since then Grandad had to take over in the kitchen. Things are very different now. It breaks my heart to see her sitting there, no desire to cook or eat. When Grandad was in the hospital for a knee replacement, her idea of a meal was a boiled egg and soldiers. Hardly enough food for an adult, I couldn't even convince her to eat some chocolate as a treat.
But the meals I remember, her Christmas dinners are legendary. The cakes she baked that my dad (her son in law) would drive across London for, the love she put into every meal. All gone, taken away by depression and then dementia. I'm glad I still have my grandparents, even though the pandemic means I haven't seen them in a very long time, but I still miss seeing Nanny in the kitchen, whipping up a meal with such skill and love.
Really enjoyed this Clare though I have some rather different stories to tell. My grandma was a very experimental cook in the 70s. First time I had gazpacho or ossobucco was cooked by her. Also my Dad in his late 80s has started cooked adventurously in his later 80s since my Mum also a brilliant cook died. I was already thinking about writing about my Dad and his late blooming interest in culinary affairs. We often talk food now. Hope you get to enjoy the curried parsnip soon, if not already.
I just came across a cookbook my grandmother compiled for her children and grandchildren when she was alive. It felt like being with her again. Can hardly wait to go visit my grandpa and see if he’ll humor me and cook up one of her dishes with me. Thank you for this.
Has kept up with food trends because she watches good food progs. She is also able to use her freezer well. That is what lies at the heart of feeding one. She also loves a great poached egg on toast with a whole mound of juicy watercress. It's the equivalent of a take away. Instant cheap and unlike the take away, arrives in a shell. No plastic.
This hit me hard. A lot of my food memories are linked to being with my grandparents, my Nanny in particular was a brilliant cook. Then when I was 18 she had a breakdown and was hospitalised. Since then Grandad had to take over in the kitchen. Things are very different now. It breaks my heart to see her sitting there, no desire to cook or eat. When Grandad was in the hospital for a knee replacement, her idea of a meal was a boiled egg and soldiers. Hardly enough food for an adult, I couldn't even convince her to eat some chocolate as a treat.
But the meals I remember, her Christmas dinners are legendary. The cakes she baked that my dad (her son in law) would drive across London for, the love she put into every meal. All gone, taken away by depression and then dementia. I'm glad I still have my grandparents, even though the pandemic means I haven't seen them in a very long time, but I still miss seeing Nanny in the kitchen, whipping up a meal with such skill and love.
Really enjoyed this Clare though I have some rather different stories to tell. My grandma was a very experimental cook in the 70s. First time I had gazpacho or ossobucco was cooked by her. Also my Dad in his late 80s has started cooked adventurously in his later 80s since my Mum also a brilliant cook died. I was already thinking about writing about my Dad and his late blooming interest in culinary affairs. We often talk food now. Hope you get to enjoy the curried parsnip soon, if not already.
I just came across a cookbook my grandmother compiled for her children and grandchildren when she was alive. It felt like being with her again. Can hardly wait to go visit my grandpa and see if he’ll humor me and cook up one of her dishes with me. Thank you for this.
My mum aged 84
Has kept up with food trends because she watches good food progs. She is also able to use her freezer well. That is what lies at the heart of feeding one. She also loves a great poached egg on toast with a whole mound of juicy watercress. It's the equivalent of a take away. Instant cheap and unlike the take away, arrives in a shell. No plastic.