The stuff childhood memories are made of

[wiseheart]

Do you know the feeling when you decide to make one of your childhood favourites and, despite following the recipe religiously, it just doesn't taste the same as in your memories? Well, the exact opposite happened to me today.


I've wanted to make something called Kleingehacktes, which could be translated into English as "mincemeat". And it is mincemeat indeed, cooked on top of the oven, with a garlic sauce mixed into the meat and usually eaten with mashed potatoes. It used to be my Grandpa's favourite, so Granny often made it, and we always liked it. Unfortunately, I never had the actual recipe (that came from my great-grandmother, the one who had a small restaurant... well, a pub would be the better word for it). But we both wanted it so badly, so I thought what the hell, let's give it a try, perhaps it will turn out edible.

So I roasted some onions and garlic in oil, added the mincemeat, seasoned it with salt and pepper and roasted it on high heat until it lost its colour, then added a good measure of ready-made beef soup (from soup cubes) and cooked it for about an hour or so. Mum needs her food really soft. When it reached the intended consistency, I thickened it with a mixture of sour cream, flour and a bit of water. And then I prayed. *g*

Folks, it turned out great! Mum and I both found that it tasted exactly like in our memories! Assuming that our memories are correct, of course, but that doesn't really matter now.


Aside from the cooking part I've finished Cards #20 and 22 - not just the stitching, also the card bases themselves - and am very proud of the outcome.
See for yourself:



The one on the left proved a lot more complicated than I thought by the mere sight of the template; I got confused with all those tiny holes, and the picture does look slightly different, but I think it's good enough. Next time: something simpler. I've already pre-prickled three more designs.

I managed to get some more writing done; not much, but in these days every paragraph counts. I've more or less accepted the fact that I won't live long enough to finish all of my WIPs; I'm trying to work on the ones that show the most promise of getting done. :(

In the afternoon I talked to two of my young(er) ex-colleagues, which was night. Today we "only" had 35°C but it actually felt worse than the 38 degrees yesterday. Our heat tolerance is lessening, and the nights don't cool down enough anymore, despite the fact that we had rain last night. All it brought was more leaking on the balcony. *sigh*

Comments

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Mincemeat cooked with onions and thickened with flour was a staple of my childhood, too, served with mashed potatoes. But your version sounds so much tastier than my grandmother's version.

Those cards are lovely.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :))

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

I imagine many nights of poor sleep will take its toll on the body. I'm not surprised you are struggling. I hope you get a couple of cooler nights soon.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

That would be a relief indeed.

[noadvertising.livejournal.com]

That´s the recipe my grandmother did for us countless times! And it´s what I did for our children, too! We always put it in Palatschinken!

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

That is so cool that the recipe worked out!!

I tried making something once, and it totally didn't taste the same. :(

[mirasaui.livejournal.com]

Your meal sounds delicious, glad you were able to re-create the recipe and bring back memories. I really love the cards!