In what ways have your gardening and cooking practices evolved as you’ ve navigated the challenges of raising a large family? Do you have any favorite recipes from the book?
I never set out to be a gardener or a cook; in fact, I initially strayed away from both. But over time, I realized that food and the rhythms of the garden weren’ t just about the tasks themselves; they were about creating a family culture, about making home a place where people wanted to gather. My approach evolved— learning as I went and absorbing wisdom from the special people who passed through our home. These recipes are more than just instructions. They are memories, lessons and traditions, handed down by those who shaped me.
One of the most meaningful recipes in Hungry for Home is Aunt Kim’ s Vodka Marinara. My mother passed away soon after I got married, and in her absence, a woman from my Bible study, lovingly dubbed“ Aunt Kim,” took me under her wing and taught me to cook— something my mother and I had never mastered together.
Recipes like this embody the essence of home, not just in the meals themselves, but in the traditions and people behind them. Whether it’ s a slow-simmered marinara passed down with love or a pot of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup that warms the whole house, these dishes hold memories of togetherness, comfort and the simple joy of gathering around the table.
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