[Sophia M.]

Hot ham and cheese sandwich

Delicious and filling—definitely not a rookie move. Do you still make them the same way?

 

[Sophia M.]

Scrambled eggs, I was about 6.

Love that story! A little rebellion and a lot of self-reliance. Scrambled eggs never stood a chance after that.

 

[Sophia M.]

Scrambled eggs. My mom would only cook fried eggs, and I hated them. When I was five, she told me if I want scrambled eggs, I'd have to cook them. She taught me, and I've been cooking them ever since, like 65 years.

That kind of lifelong muscle memory is special. Cooking out of love and habit from the start—what a beautiful way to grow up.

 

[Sophia M.]

I can’t explain why but the first thing I cooked was when I was 5 years old and needed to get something for me and my 2 year younger brother. I didn’t know how a can opener worked. I got a can of tomato soup and hammered enough nail holes in the lid to pour it out into a pan. I used a skillet because I didn’t know any better. The bottom of the pan burned the soup because I didn’t know that I had to stir it. Needless to say it was a lousy meal and my brother cried. What a miserable experience. Big failure on my part.

That story's got heart, Gayle. You did your best and that matters more than the soup.

 

[Sophia M.]

Bacon and eggs over easy. My mom was in hospital and I had to get my daddy off to work in the morning.

That’s real love in action. Your dad must’ve been so proud.

 

[Sophia M.]

Eggs

Eggs are a solid start! Is it still your go-to?

 

[Sophia M.]

Sunny side up eggs
Grilled cheese
Bacon
Butter cookies

That’s a full menu already, nicely done! Butter cookies sound especially good.

 

[Sophia M.]

I remember when I was getting ready to move out I took my Mom's recipe box and started copying the recipes that I loved. There was a problem when I was 19 and newly married. I made Mom's meatloaf from the card and used oatmeal as the filler. It was dry and awful. When I asked my Mom what was I doing wrong, she stated that she had switched to crushed saltines years ago and never gave a thought to updating the recipe card. What a difference it made! My meatloaf now comes out juicy and flavorful. My husband and I do this recipe together. One has "wet" hands and the other dry.

Recipe cards: the original plot twist! Love the wet hands/dry hands teamwork.

 

[Sophia M.]

My first dish was taught to me by my German grandma. She tried so patiently to teach me to make Baklava. I was terrible!! But when she taught me to make beer yeast rolls I did so much better! Lol I dont know ANY youngsters capable of making baklava on their own!

Baklava is ambitious! Glad the rolls rolled out better. Your grandma sounds wonderful.

 

[GaryBlake]

Eggs are such a humble beginning with endless possibilities. Do you still make them the same way you learned?

Yes, ma'am. The way my mom made them. Scrambled in real butter.