Memoir
/ˈmemˌwär/ noun. a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation. Usually memoirs. an account of one's personal life and experiences; autobiography. the published record of the proceedings of a group or organization, as of a learned society.
Who among us doesn’t like food? As I’ve gotten older I’ve really grown to enjoy cooking and sharing my dishes with family and friends. We have access to every recipe in the world now with the internet and it’s easy to make tastier and healthier food that you could ever hope to find in a restaurant. I believe the French gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin was one hundred percent correct when he said, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you who you are.” I also believe that great food is usually not ostentatious but very simple. This is the very last Memoir Monday prompt for 2024! Tell us who you are.
Memoir Monday has grown so much that I won’t be able to comment on everyone’s posts anymore (and get my own work done) but I’ll still be supporting your posts with reblogs, votes, and shares on my other social media accounts (X, Facebook, etc.).
For all of those who’ve regularly participated in Memoir Monday - keep going, you’re making great progress in chronicling your very own life story for future generations to enjoy.
For those who missed the inaugural post explaining what the Memoir Monday initiative is all about you can find it here.
Now for next week’s Memoir Monday prompt:
What are your favorite dishes—either to cook or to eat?
My answer:
When it comes to food, I’m not picky—I love meals that are both healthy and delicious. However, I do have one guilty pleasure: White Castle. Their burgers and fries are the only fast food I’ve consistently enjoyed on a semi-regular basis (2–3 times a year) since becoming an adult. To me, White Castle is simply perfection, and if I had to choose a last meal, a few of their double cheeseburgers would likely make the list.
My palate leans toward savory over sweet, with a few exceptions: dark chocolate, the occasional fruit tart, or a delicate French pastry. I will choose simple dishes made with love and quality ingredients over fancy restaurant food any day of the week. My cravings also shift with the seasons. During warmer months, I’m drawn to Mediterranean-inspired dishes featuring olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, pasta, cheese, fish, eggs, and lean meats. When the weather turns cold, I find myself seeking comfort in hearty meals—pot pies, chili, steak, stews, roast chicken, and potatoes.
Cooking and baking are passions of mine, and I enjoy creating versatile dishes that allow for endless variations. One of my go-to recipes is a classic Pasta Aglio e Olio, which an old Sicilian barber once taught me. I often adapt it by swapping proteins and vegetables for variety. Some other staples in my repertoire include homemade pizzas, roast chicken, chili, beef stew, fish dishes, and even the occasional ramen (Momofuku brand).
Among all my culinary endeavors, Cincinnati Chili holds a special place in my heart. I was born in Ohio (Columbus), afterall. I’ve refined this recipe over decades, and it’s a favorite to make, especially because it’s even better when prepared a day ahead to let the flavors meld. It can be served in multiple ways: on its own in a bowl, garnished with sour cream, raw onion, and cheddar cheese alongside cornbread, or ladled over spaghetti. I'd like to share my recipe with you.
Cincinnati Chili Recipe:
2 pounds lean, grass-fed ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1 ½ teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2–3 cans of beans (pinto, kidney, and/or black) with liquid
6 ounces tomato paste
2 (16-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 pounds spaghetti (if serving all at once, omit if having chili by itself in a bowl)
6 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated (preferably a vibrant orange variety)
Happy Holidays to you and your families!
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You had me wanting to try your recipe until I saw 1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate. Idk about chocolate in chili.
I also do not know why my husband eats grape jelly with his chili, so I won't judge either of you.
You should try it, seriously. You can’t taste the chocolate at all but it adds depth and richness to the chili. Something like a Mexican mole sauce but not quite as strong on the cocoa flavor. It’s the “secret” ingredient. 😂
I have never tried or heard of Mexican mole sauce but I am up to trying new things.
Wow😊 you'll sure hear about my favorite Nigerian dishes. This is even the season of eating and feasting
I can't wait to learn more about Nigerian dishes!
My favourite dish to eat is İskender Kebap. Döner spreaded over pita bread, yogurt in one side and melted butter over all just before eat.
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Oh, that looks delicious! After I wrote this I realized how much I left out of my post. I really like Nepali, Tibetan, Thai, and Indian food.
Add Turkish too :)
I'd have to say anything that takes place on the grill is probably going to make my list. I am also a fan of these Greek Tacos that my wife and I make. They aren't gyros, but kind of close. Italian and Mexican foods are big ones for me as well.
I'm a big fan of food on the grill too. I need to get back into the swing of that now that we're back in a house. The tacos sound amazing. Do you use pita bread instead of tortillas/taco shells?
No, that's kind of what makes them different from a gyro, we use a regular flour tortilla. Then tons of lettuce, black olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and purple onion. Then we make a quick tzatziki sauce and put some Ken's steak house greek dressing on them along with the grilled chicken. They are so light and flavorful!
As far as I'm concerned, I'm rather conservative. I like Czech classics like beef fillet with cream, pork, dumplings and cabbage. Sauces, I love mushroom sauce, but it has to be from freshly picked mushrooms, that's the best. Soups I like the classic beef bone broth, or a substitute can be made from turkey necks.
My great grandmother was from that part of the world. She'd make stuffed cabbage rolls and all kinds of soups from scratch. Delicious stuff!
I'm glad you like cooking. At home, my wife is the one who cooks for me and makes different recipes. Greetings, friend.
That's a mean Chili Eric! Spicy, saucy, and very cheesy. Sounds yum!
This is going to be an enjoyable prompt.
You should try making it! It would be fun to hear what you think of it. I knew this prompt would be right in your wheelhouse! : )
A nice way to end the year: talking about food. I have discovered that one of my love languages is just this. I don't just like to eat, I like to cook for the people I love. I am also more into savory dishes than sweet ones, although my mother makes a corn pie and a pumpkin pie that I love. I like to make and eat spicy, spicy, smelly food. Although I enjoy a good cheese, olives, sausages, palm hearts, mushrooms and asparagus with a good red wine. I hope to have time to participate! I'm already caught in the Christmas wave. Hugs to you and happy holidays, Eric.
I'm the same way, Nancy. There are few better ways to show love that to cook for someone and put a lot of care into it. I've never heard of corn pie! I completely understand about being busy. I barely had time to get this post out but I knew if I didn't do it yesterday it probably wouldn't get done in time. Merry Christmas Nancy! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Holiday together!
I'd say 2-3 times a year for fast food is more than acceptable ;) We don't have White Castle here, but I know the more you eat well, the more fast food typically starts tasting like trash, so I'm guessing their food must be pretty tasty to retain appeal.
It sounds like you have a great, balanced diet. And dark chocolate is considered by some a superfood :D and not a day goes by when I don't remind myself of that :))
They are so good, @honeydue. I think part of the draw is the fact they haven't changed one bit since my childhood. OMG, the fast food here in America is downright deadly. It's a shitstorm of harmful chemicals and other ingredients that are purposely there to get people addicted to the food. I agree about the dark chocolate, that's how I justify it anyway. Lol. I've had at least 1oz almost every day for the last 20 years. Have a Merry Christmas my friend!
Wow! Every detail about the food you share feels so personal and full of love. From your love of White Castle to your signature Cincinnati Chili recipe.😋
When you occasional enjoy some pastry for just 2 - 3 times in a whole year 😂 I don't classify that as favorite.
Those are hamburgers/fries. I limit myself to eating them 2-3 times a year but could eat them every day, they just aren't good for your health.
My favorite dish is fresh tomato soup made with seasonal organic tomatoes from our garden and lots of fresh organic parsley, also from the garden. No milk or other dairy ingredients are added.
I bet that is an explosion of flavor. There's nothing better than a tomato fresh from the garden.
I am a foodie, I am not picky too but I love good food, especially the local foods of my people...
I'm the same. A good, simple recipe with high quality ingredients is usually always tasty.
It is a very tasty recipe, for sure. Your food menu will differ greatly in winter and summer. Eating different types of food meets different nutritional needs.
#hive #posh
These days my stomach has become delicate and I have to be careful with my meals. I don't eat anything spicy or spicy. I always like a good dessert like apple pie, a bakery near my house makes a very good one. I was struck by that recipe you left Cincinnati Chili, it must be very tasty. Merry Christmas dear @ericvancewalton .
It's true, who doesn't like to eat, food is full of the love that is put into it when it is prepared. I will tell you about it in a later post.
This is one of the initiatives that has touched my soul the most because cooking was one of the things my mother did best.
She's not here, but cooking is one of the ways I keep her alive.
Happy Monday.
Merry christmas.
Health and greetings.
Very interesting topic considering this is week 42
We could argue food is the answer! I will pop down a post now, as I love to cook food as well as eat it.