The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

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Everyday Traditions

The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

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My grandmother never wrote her recipes down, or if she did, they were different than what she really did. Some things in her recipes defied explanation also, such as how to 'clop' the sweet dough for

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Forums » Baking Memories » Everyday Traditions » The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

posted at 1/30/2010 3:51 AM EST

Di F

Posts: 1
First: 1/30/2010
Last: 1/30/2010

My grandmother never wrote her recipes down, or if she did, they were different than what she really did. Some things in her recipes defied explanation also, such as how to 'clop' the sweet dough for babka.

In order to collect her recipes, I went over to her house, watched and wrote down everything she did as she did it. It was the only way to really get the ingredients, methods and stories behind the recipes.

These were some of the best times I spent with her, in the warmth of the kitchen and listening to all the family stories, not just about cooking and baking.

I have continued this tradition with my sons and grandchildren. If they want my recipes... they have to come visit! We talk, laugh and enjoy every moment as we share old memories and make new ones.

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The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

posted at 1/30/2010 3:54 AM EST

Shirley Y

Posts: 39
First: 8/7/2008
Last: 9/30/2010

I love your story wish i had done the same

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The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

posted at 1/30/2010 5:39 AM EST

Garen W

Posts: 9
First: 8/10/2008
Last: 10/6/2010

I too, have done the same. But the problem is that things like "three glugs of molassis" is hard to definitively reproduce from today's container jars instead of an oldtime jug!

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Re: The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

posted at 12/16/2010 8:49 AM EST

Kathy C

Posts: 207
First: 3/21/2009
Last: 3/17/2012

That was a nice story and a great tradition to carry on.

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Re: The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

posted at 12/16/2010 9:40 AM EST

irma d

Posts: 528
First: 10/6/2010
Last: 6/11/2011

My mom passed suddenly and one of my biggest regrets is not getting some of her recipes. Nice story

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Re: The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

posted at 12/17/2010 12:57 PM EST

Pat A

Posts: 959
First: 1/30/2010
Last: 1/22/2013

My Mom hated to cook. But my Dad loved cooking for holiday meals. I have also learned that you need to watch what they do, because they won't remember all the steps/ingredients later.

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Re: The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

posted at 12/17/2010 2:13 PM EST

Barbara B

Posts: 836
First: 10/1/2008
Last: 5/19/2013

The old recipes did leave much to be desired. I have some recipes from my grandmother ( who died when I was less than a year old). One starts "take as many oranges as you please", another says to use 5 cents worth of citron. My mother did learn to make some of the old German recipes from my great aunt, but I was too young to care at that time. I wish now I had taken the time to learn from my mother.

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Re: The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

posted at 1/16/2011 2:35 PM EST

JOHN H

Posts: 483
First: 10/5/2008
Last: 12/5/2011

In Response to The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method:

My grandmother never wrote her recipes down, or if she did, they were different than what she really did. Some things in her recipes defied explanation also, such as how to 'clop' the sweet dough for babka. In order to collect her recipes, I went over to her house, watched and wrote down everything she did as she did it. It was the only way to really get the ingredients, methods and stories behind the recipes. These were some of the best times I spent with her, in the warmth of the kitchen and listening to all the family stories, not just about cooking and baking. I have continued this tradition with my sons and grandchildren. If they want my recipes... they have to come visit! We talk, laugh and enjoy every moment as we share old memories and make new ones.
Posted by Di F

I love that method. A watch and learn, with love, approach is probaby the greatest idea I have heard of on this site.
Thank you for writing.

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Re: The 'You Have to Visit Grandma' Method

posted at 1/16/2011 4:45 PM EST

Carol P

Posts: 1623
First: 8/9/2008
Last: 5/22/2013

I watched my mother cook and bake. I went thru her recipe box when I first got married and
wrote down a lot of the recipes that I wanted. She died in 2009 and I asked to have her
recipe box. I plan to keep hand down her recipes to my kids.

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