Share Your Family Favorites
Some recipes have been around for ages, with iterations being passed down from grandparent to grandkid. This is what traditions are made of, with many of these cultural dishes making an appearance on holidays and Sunday dinners. Which of these recipes is your family known for, and which traditions do you plan on starting yourself?
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1. Buttermilk Biscuits
Buttermilk biscuits are a southern staple and are a favorite for breakfast and during the holidays. Most recipes call for a simple blend of baking powder, flour, salt, and cold butter, and can be baked up as a warm treat. They’re perfectly buttery and flaky and are considered the ultimate comfort carb by many.
2. Chicken Soup
Every grandma has her go-to recipe for the most nourishing and heartwarming chicken soup. Considered the quintessential “get well soon” dish, there are many variations depending on the family, with some even including noodles or dumplings. Either way, you’ll be simmering chicken, vegetables, and broth, and it’s just what you’ll want on a cold afternoon.
3. Shakshuka
This traditional dish has been passed down for ages and hails from Middle Eastern and North African roots. It’s a comfort dish often eaten for breakfast, but it’s something so convenient and fulfilling that you’ll likely make it whenever you’re in the mood. It involves eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce, and the exact ingredients may vary, but often include things like garlic, onions, and paprika.
4. Green Tomato Pie
This is a classic comfort recipe that finds its origins in the Depression era. Regardless, it’s still a Southern dessert that finds use for unripe tomatoes and offers up a perfectly tangy alternative to boring old apple pie. Often served up in the summer, this dessert is one you’ll be lucky to steal away from Grandma’s recipe book.
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5. Spice Cake
Of course, every family also has its version of a spice cake. This is what you crave whenever you visit your parents, as it smells like cozy spices and warm vibes. Most recipes involve mixing in the usual suspects: flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and of course, a variety of spices. It’s the go-to treat for tea-time and autumn holidays alike.
6. Traditional Bao
Considered the ultimate Chinese comfort food, this dish involves perfectly soft steamed buns and meaty fillings. You could even get away with bean paste if savory pork isn’t your thing. It’s often eaten during the Lunar New Year, but is a welcome treat in any family gathering.
7. Scalloped Potatoes
These potatoes are perfectly cheesy and creamy, and are made by layering in some cream, butter, and cheese alongside thinly sliced potatoes. It’s a classic dish you’ll find come Easter time or Christmas, and it’s a reliable pick for those big Sunday dinners. A little fancy, a little cozy, these potatoes are now a Midwestern classic.
8. Macaroni and Cheese
Speaking of classic, it just doesn’t get better than macaroni and cheese. Most kids grow up eating this, and they come to adore their parents’ recipe for it. With Southern and English origins, this pasta recipe can be made from scratch with a custom cheese sauce or take advantage of one of the many box blends available.
9. Apfelkuchen
This is a fancy name for German apple cake and is considered quite rustic and decadent. It’s a dish that’s often passed down in European families and involves blending vanilla cake batter with pressed apple slices. It goes great as an after-dinner treat or as a companion to a warm cup of coffee.
10. Honeyed Ham
Whether it’s Christmas or Easter, there’s nothing better than a honeyed ham at the center of the table. This ham is often slow-baked and topped off with a sweet and tangy glaze made of brown sugar and spices. It’s a recipe you’ll be so used to seeing at family gatherings that you’ll be itching to learn the recipe yourself.
11. Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are another staple you’d expect to find at Grandma’s house. Interestingly, their origin is Scottish, but they’re now known around the world for their buttery and crumbly flavor profile. You’ll often find them made fresh around Christmas time, with some classic red and green frosting glaze on top.
12. Marinara Sauce
This Italian American staple is the best part of any spaghetti or pasta. It’s a base for countless meals, and by now, most families have perfected their recipes. Whether that means going heavy-handed on the garlic or using crushed tomatoes instead of diced, this sauce is the best part of Sunday dinners.
13. Goulash
Goulash originates from Eastern Europe and is a warm and fulfilling meal often eaten in the fall and winter. It’s a peasant-style stew full of cozy flavors like garlic, onions, butternut squash, tomatoes, and more. Many families are eager to share their recipes, and you can find perfectly warming ones available online.
14. Cottage Pie
Some grandmas make chicken pot pie, others shepherd’s pie, and then there are those who prefer cottage pie. Either way, this British comfort food dish is the perfect fix on those cold nights. It’s also the type of meal you can make ahead of time, making it a classic for family dinners and get-togethers.
15. Molasses and Ginger Cookies
These spicy cookies are the perfect old-fashioned treat around the holidays, or really whenever you’re craving a nostalgic snack. These are the type of cookies you’d expect to find inside Grandma’s cookie jar, and they’re made with the usual cookie fixings plus some ginger, cinnamon, and molasses. You’ll definitely want to write the recipe for these down so you can treat your own grandkids.
16. Potato Salad
Whether it’s a family picnic or a BBQ, a potato salad is a must-have. There’s a variety of variations, from those that lean into the creamy side to others that are drier and tangier. The diced potatoes are a staple throughout, though, and you’ll want to learn this recipe to bring to your own summer gatherings.
17. Rice Pudding
There’s something so humble and nostalgic about rice pudding as a dessert. It can be served warm or chilled, and is quite economical, as you can make it with leftover rice. It’s got those cozy old-world flavors, including the usual vanilla and cinnamon, with a hefty helping of creamy rice.
18. Roast Pork
Roast pork is another centerpiece meat dish you’ll want to take the time to learn. It’s a celebratory meal in many cultures and will certainly impress both at the holidays and on Sunday gatherings. If you didn’t get a herb mix passed down to you, then it’s never too late to start the tradition yourself.
19. Banana Loaf
Banana bread is the perfect frugal recipe that evokes both nostalgia and warm feelings as you share it over breakfast or tea. Plenty of families have recipes worth learning, with the usual ingredients being ripe bananas, sugar, eggs, flour, and baking soda. Not only is it simple to make, but it’s a great way to use bananas that are just sitting around.
20. Chicken Casserole
Finally, there is the one-dish wonder that is chicken casserole. This recipe has been around for ages, and you can find it gaining popularity in cookbooks of all sorts. Each family has its own variation, whether it’s a creamy chicken and cheese casserole or a spicy and tangy chicken and veggie casserole. Either way, this is one you’ll want to learn to impress your family at weeknight dinners.
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