Food is a central part of every culture, and I think that is because of the impact a meal can have on our relationships. Historically speaking, dinner time has been crucial to the formation of strong families, and I think it's all about nourishment.
We all need each other to be happy. We are social creatures and that's just the way it is. It makes me sad when people try to make themselves an island, or they close themselves off out of fear or anger. No matter how tough someone tries to be, our emotions are a big part of who we are and nourishing that is just as important as the food we eat that keeps us alive.
September 25th is National Cooking Day. I've partnered with PotsandPans.com to create a simple recipe, meant to feed a family or group of friends, and encourage people to sit down to dinner, in their homes, with loved ones on that day.
When they asked me to be part of it, I was really excited because this is something that is very dear to me. I didn't grow up in a rich family, but the greatest privilege I had, and probably the biggest reason for who I am today, is that my parents gathered me and all 7 of my siblings (I am the youngest of 8 kids) at the dinner table every night and showed us they loved us. They talked with us, laughed with us, fed us, and celebrated with us. They gave us the confidence we needed to know we could go and do whatever we wanted to do.
I'm not naive. I know that not everyone has the same childhood I had. Not everyone has parents like mine, who were examples of love and stability. And not everyone grows up feeling safe, valued, and important. But what if, for an hour or two, you could make someone else feel safe? What if you could make someone else feel valued? What if you could make someone else feel important?
September 25th is National Cooking Day. But you don't have to wait until then. Cook for your family, and sit down to dinner with them. If that's not where you're at in life, cook for friends, and sit down to dinner with them. It doesn't have to be fancy to make them feel important. You simply have to make it with them in mind, and they'll get that. They'll know it, and they'll feel loved and love you for it. Cheers, to all our Internet friends, and I hope you know how much I would love to cook a meal for each one of you.
The recipe pictured is Chicken Thighs Braised with Cabbage, Herbs, & Sun-dried Tomatoes. You can find the recipe on PotsandPans.com, as well as the Anolon Vesta Cast-Iron Braiser used to cook it. BUT! PotsandPans.com is letting me give one of those away to one of our readers, so take a moment to enter below and be sure to check out the rest of what PotsandPans.com has available.
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A sponsored post very well done Chris. I have missed your recipe posts.
love food..and design.. came across your blog on instagram.... very much like a lot of your stuff.. thanks for sharing..
I would LOVE to win this pot! I don't have anything like it, and it sounds like a great item to have in the kitchen for making easy family meals. Thanks!
It's honestly wonderful. I love mine.
Early this summer, some friends and I decided to start getting together and having a big meal around one table every other Sunday. We invite anyone to join. Literally, anyone can come. Everyone is accepted at the table. Since we started, we're averaging around 30-40 people in attendance!
There is nothing like gathering as a community to nourish one another.
Also, this looks delicious.
Love this, Libby! What an impact I bet this is having for those who come.
That's where the best stories are told with our family, around the dinner table at night, no tv, no social-media just good old fashioned "how was your day". The chicken and cabbage looks delish!
Yes, turning off the screens rediscovering your family. Love it.
Love this post! My husband had a similar experience (six kids around the table every night) and we are now doing this with our kids. So important!
Way to go! It's not always easy to do I'm sure you've found, but is worth it.
Oh Yum! Mr. B loves chicken thighs, cabbage and sun dried tomatoes! This is a perfect treat for him and a new recipe to get me away from the same-old, same-old. Thank you for this and all your posts! Love the love!
I live alone now but I still set a place and enjoy soft music and whatever I fix to eat. Always on a well appointed table or the peninsula. I can look out as I eat and look at the lake. Even it I spring for a drive thru salad, when I get home it is served the same way. I too grew up around the evening dinner table and the food was always blessed first. All was Good back in the day!! Still is and I am Grateful for Memories!!! Thank you for reminding me!!
Love this, Patricia. Even for yourself, make it special.
Dinner was always a family affair in my house growing up as well. But that is all I ever knew. I thought all families gathered together for dinner, eating, laughing, talking about their day. It wasn't until I was older that I realized that in many households that wasn't the norm. I valued that together time so much, which I also didn't realize until I was older. So it just made sense for me to do the same with my husband and kids. I hope that my boys look back later and see what a precious thing family dinners are.
I'm sure they will.
I was spoiled in many ways as a child, still am really, but one of the most stand out ways was dinner. My mom can cook anything and has lived around the world so we were blessed with Japanese one night and German the next. Even smorgasbord felt special.
Wow! Your mom sounds like quite the culinary wiz.
She's even fantastic baking and candy making. Like I said, so spoiled.