"Sorry, it's a secret family recipe." "Well, I'd share it with you, but I've been sworn to secrecy." Have you ever received this sort of response when you've requested a recipe from someone?
Family recipes
Flawed Logic.
When I was in my teens and early 20's, I was reluctant to share my favorite recipes with friends and family. If they loved something I cooked or baked, then I wanted to be the person who could make them happy by creating it for them again. I reasoned that once they had the recipe, then they would be able to prepare it for themselves or someone else, and I would no longer have the power to bring them that joy.
Fortunately, it didn't take me long to understand that this logic was silly. If I really wanted them to be happy, then it wouldn't matter who made the recipe, as long as they got to eat or serve that particular dish or dessert!
Every time I share a recipe on this blog it is for my readers benefit, but I'm also happy knowing that it has just become a little safer for my family and friends and future generations to enjoy.
A Reason to Share.
Now, whenever I've made a recipe that turns out well, I always welcome a time or place to share it. While I am partially motivated by wanting to spread the enjoyment of a good thing, I must admit I also have a selfish reason. I have realized that recipes can quite easily become lost or even destroyed, as in the case of (heaven forbid) a fire or a flood. I find it comforting to know that other people have copies of my recipes, and that I could obtain a duplicate from someone if I was ever missing mine.Every time I share a recipe on this blog it is for my readers benefit, but I'm also happy knowing that it has just become a little safer for my family and friends and future generations to enjoy.
Part of a Legacy.
Many cooks are known within their family for the special dishes that they make. Those recipes may even become named after them. Aunt Blanche's Dump Salad, Aunt Ginny's Sweet Potato Casserole, Grandma's Chocolate Chip Brownies, and Aunt Audrey's Christmas Trifle are just a few of the headings on recipe cards to which I frequently refer.
Sometimes we remember and long for a particular item, but no one has the recipe. The baked chicken my grandmother often served when we would have a Sunday dinner with her is one such recipe. I would truly love to go back in time and ask her to write down the method with which she used to make it.
Memories of a person or event are often passed from generation-to-generation by the sharing of a recipe. I think that is a very lovely gift indeed, and I hope my own legacy is richly endowed with delicious recipes.
My Saturday Suggestion for today is to Share Your Recipes!
Do you agree that this is a good idea?
It is an excellent idea. A friend of the family would always share her recipes when asked - but she would leave out an ingredient or fudge the amount. She really, really didn't share well. And many years after the event I remember her selfishness better than any of the dishes she made.
ReplyDeleteI am happy that I figured out very early that not sharing a recipe is actually quite selfish, EC. How horrible to share an incomplete recipe, knowing when it is made that it will flop!
DeleteWell...my very favourite recipe involves a car and a grocery store...my other favourites are on my blog under the recipe page. Actually...I think it would be lovely to have someone years down the road say, "Remember Delores and her fantastic no cook fudge. There will never be another fudge like it." Kind of special, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI have made a recipe or two from your blog page Delores, and I suspect that down the road one of the things that people will remember of you is that you are a good cook!
DeleteYeah, I'd have to say that I completely agree.
ReplyDeleteMy mom knew someone who didn't share recipes, but didn't want to say she wouldn't so did it in a passive/aggressive way. If you asked for a recipe, she's give it to you but there was always something wrong with it,a missing ingredient or wrong times, something. As much as I believe in sharing recipes, I'd rather someone tell me they don't want to share theirs than give it to me wrong.
I totally agree Karen - so frustrating to buy the ingredients and then di tge work to make a recipe that has chance of turning out.
DeleteThat's funny you should say that especially since Karen's comment is right above this one. My sister-in-law makes these sweet potato dumplings every Thanksgiving and I have asked her for the recipe several times and she flat out refused to give it to me for exactly the same reason you said. So this year I am going to take a picture of it and send it to Karen and she's going to try and figure it out for me. I don't even like sweet potatoes, but these things are delicious. Plus I could curry all kinds of favor from the daughter haha!
ReplyDeleteSweet potato dumplings sound wonderful - I hope you are successful in getting the recipe, either if your sister-in-law has a change of heart (perhaps she will see my post!) or if Karen figures it out! Hope you had a wonderful (and delicious) Thanksgiving!
DeleteI've always shared recipes and friends have shared with me too. I have Anna's Yoghurt Cake; Joan's Sausage Hot Pot and her Devilled Chicken; Sue's Christmas cake (which I haven't made yet); Russell's Rum Cake; Trevor's Mississippi Mud Cake and so on. (Must make Tracey's Chicken Burgers again soon.)
ReplyDeleteI remember once making a recipe an internet friend shared and took the slice to work where everyone loved it. The two young girls in the bakery section asked for the recipe, which I gave, then was disappointed to find the same slice on the supermarket shelves, packaged and sold in packs of six. I felt I'd violated the trust of the original recipe sharer who had given it as her Grandma's recipe.
I bet the homemade version was still better than the ones on the supermarket shelves though! I have never heard of Yoghurt cake - but it sounds lovely.
DeleteMy mother in law would never share her recipes, and unfortunately, most of them were in her head, so they died with her. So sad. I always share and think it's a great compliment!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear so many of your mother-in-law's recipes are no longer available to you. I agree - I always know someone really enjoyed my cooking when they ask for the recipe!
DeleteI love to share too! As nice as it is to be known for making the best version of something, I don't like being tied to one recipe. I figure if I share, it frees me up to try something new for the next get together and somebody else can make the original favorite dish!
ReplyDeleteA good philosophy Carlee - and I am so glad you love to share your recipes ... especially on your blog!
Delete