It doesn't feel right to comment so enthusiastically about something that comes out of sadness, but everything you write about your mother-in-law - ALL the food - could apply to my mother, who is from Lahore. And to my late grandmother, who lived with us when I was a teenager and who in my memory was attached by wooden spoon to vats of either carrot halwa or kheer (both served with silver leaf on top), when she wasn't attached to the tava making parathas for breakfast to have with eggs with crispy edges. My mum, who used to love brains, is now quasi-vegetarian but still makes us all shami kebabs on special occasions. Anyway - thank you for writing something so completely evocative, and sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. I sympathise with that, it's for the best but still wishing it hadn't happened, feeling, it was exactly the same when my grandmother passed away last year. It's amazing how much food can connect us to people that may not be with us anymore. For my other grandmothers funeral we were asked for our memories of her and at the time I had felt bad because my memory of her was her always having soup in the freezer ready to bring out when ever anyone turned up, but now I realise that food is my love language and that was a fitting tribute to her.
May your food memories of your loved ones live on ❤️
This a lovely memorial and tribute to your mother-in-law. It is often food which holds our best memories of those who have left us. And, for me, utensils they used and I still do - an everyday remembrance of them. Condolences to you all and thank you for the recipes.
Thank you for writing this. Your mother in law taught you well, because one of the unexpected delights of your pressure cookers books is the south Asian recipes, reminding me so much of happy days in Delhi. May she rest in peace.
Dementia is very cruel disease and I’m sorry you and your family have been through it. Loved your description of your MILs dishes, it’s a wonderful way to remember people even if they were reluctant cooks. My memories of my grandma are equally vivid only her dishes were Yorkshire pudding and onion gravy and beef stew and dumplings. How I wish I’d had the confidence to find a piece of paper and pencil when she cooked me, one of the uni ex boyfriends and herself a lovely piece of roast beef with a beautiful tray baked Yorkshire pudding cut up and served with onion gravy as a starter. As we lived far away I didn’t get to see her often enough otherwise I’d have probably been better able to remember those tricks which are the difference between pedestrian pudding and a work of art. I remember the “heat it till the fat smokes” instruction but not anything else….
I have so enjoyed reading this Catherine, your mother in law will always be with you when you use her wonderful recipes won’t she. Somewhere she will be looking down and mouthing ‘thinner’ as you roll. Just a beautiful tribute to her, thank you for sharing it x
It doesn't feel right to comment so enthusiastically about something that comes out of sadness, but everything you write about your mother-in-law - ALL the food - could apply to my mother, who is from Lahore. And to my late grandmother, who lived with us when I was a teenager and who in my memory was attached by wooden spoon to vats of either carrot halwa or kheer (both served with silver leaf on top), when she wasn't attached to the tava making parathas for breakfast to have with eggs with crispy edges. My mum, who used to love brains, is now quasi-vegetarian but still makes us all shami kebabs on special occasions. Anyway - thank you for writing something so completely evocative, and sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. I sympathise with that, it's for the best but still wishing it hadn't happened, feeling, it was exactly the same when my grandmother passed away last year. It's amazing how much food can connect us to people that may not be with us anymore. For my other grandmothers funeral we were asked for our memories of her and at the time I had felt bad because my memory of her was her always having soup in the freezer ready to bring out when ever anyone turned up, but now I realise that food is my love language and that was a fitting tribute to her.
May your food memories of your loved ones live on ❤️
Lovely memories of your MIL, and a nice legacy for her to leave. Dementia is a cruel illness.
Sympathies about your mother in law. What a lovely, warm tribute to her.
So sorry about your mother in law, but what a lovely tribute to her. Love to you and your family xx
This a lovely memorial and tribute to your mother-in-law. It is often food which holds our best memories of those who have left us. And, for me, utensils they used and I still do - an everyday remembrance of them. Condolences to you all and thank you for the recipes.
Thank you for writing this warm and loving tribute to your mother-in-law. She has given you all so much and thank you for the recipes today.
Thank you for writing this. Your mother in law taught you well, because one of the unexpected delights of your pressure cookers books is the south Asian recipes, reminding me so much of happy days in Delhi. May she rest in peace.
So sorry for your loss this post was such a beautiful tribute to her x
Dementia is very cruel disease and I’m sorry you and your family have been through it. Loved your description of your MILs dishes, it’s a wonderful way to remember people even if they were reluctant cooks. My memories of my grandma are equally vivid only her dishes were Yorkshire pudding and onion gravy and beef stew and dumplings. How I wish I’d had the confidence to find a piece of paper and pencil when she cooked me, one of the uni ex boyfriends and herself a lovely piece of roast beef with a beautiful tray baked Yorkshire pudding cut up and served with onion gravy as a starter. As we lived far away I didn’t get to see her often enough otherwise I’d have probably been better able to remember those tricks which are the difference between pedestrian pudding and a work of art. I remember the “heat it till the fat smokes” instruction but not anything else….
I have so enjoyed reading this Catherine, your mother in law will always be with you when you use her wonderful recipes won’t she. Somewhere she will be looking down and mouthing ‘thinner’ as you roll. Just a beautiful tribute to her, thank you for sharing it x
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this.
Beautiful tribute, Catherine. Dementia takes so much but she is at peace now. May happier memories comfort you all x