Even oceans apart, food bridges the distance to family through fond memories of learning to cook, eating out and gathering over food
Kra pao moo grob
Kanda Kannasut, a senior from Thailand majoring in psychology, said one of her favorite dishes is kra pao moo grob: stir fried crispy pork with Thai basil. Kannasut said she came to love kra pao moo grob because it reminds her of her sister and Thailand.
She explained she did not like the dish at first but, since her sister always ordered it, she tried it one day and grew to love it. “I feel like the ingredient is not complicated, but the taste is excellent,” said Kannasut.
“The love of food comes from my family. I can feel that the food she [my mom] gives to us is made with love,” she said. Kannasut shared when her mother opened a restaurant in Thailand, she showed love by giving people food. Whenever she came home from school when she was young, the food was always ready because her mom cooked for her.
In connection with memories of food to loved ones, Kannasut shared, “[Kra pao moo grob] is easy and simple and reminds me of the person I love the most. She is my best friend. She is my sister and she is also my great example, so I have a story about this menu,” she explained.
Beef stroganoff
Matthew Templeton, a junior from Washington State majoring in social science education, said food brings him a good feeling, a good memory and an accomplishment. He said his favorite dish is beef stroganoff. For him it is not about the taste but about the feelings and memories that come with the dish. He said it reminds him of his mother. “It was probably the first food I helped my mom cook when I was with her.”
He shared that beef stroganoff was the first dish he gained confidence in cooking, but now he excels with a variety of foods. Now, he said, beef stroganoff reminds him of his accomplishment of cooking and the good time he had with his mom when he was young.
Sinigang
Abish Baliwas, a junior from the Philippines majoring in cultural anthropology and political science, said sinigang, a tamarind-based soup, reminds her of her home and makes her feel comforted. “My memory is being at the dinner table, sitting there enjoying the food and the conversation with my family and appreciating the presence of each member of my family.”
Baliwas said her parents would often cook sinigang for her and she has so many memories connected to the soup. Now that all her family members are occupied with their own lives, Baliwas said she cherishes the memories even more.
Baliwas said food is also a love language for her and part of her identity. “When I think of giving, I think of food. I’m going to cook for you is a love language [for me].”
She explained, “A lot of the things I grew up doing were always connected to food.”
She continued, “There’s always a reason why people gather over food. It brings people together.”