Family and Fun Splurge Recipes
One of the keys to a happy life is learning to live in balance. We can’t all be perfect 100% of the time. Sometimes a little splurge is what really helps us appreciate how good we feel from eating and living clean 80% of the time. There are those recipes that have been handed down from generations that provide us spiritual energy. We cannot completely cut all of those out. For those special occasions, these are the recipes that have been part of my family.
Family Traditions: Recipes from those before me
On the major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, July 4th, and birthdays, there were dishes that were commonly seen. Without them, the holidays just aren’t the same for me.
- Ramus Gin Fizz: a milkshake version of the classic that we enjoyed ever Christmas morning while unwrapping gifts.
- Sausage strata: an egg casserole also enjoyed Christmas mornings and any other large family gathering. It feeds a lot of people and is put together the night before. So all you have to do is throw it in the oven that morning and everyone is happy.
- Pickled Asparagus: my grandmother would make batches of this every summer and we would break out the jars for Thanksgiving.
- Oyster Stew: handed down from my great-grandmother this is another Christmas tradition.
- Creamed eggs on toast: I’m not sure if this one goes back further than my grandmother, but it was an essential Easter brunch dish growing up.
- Mom’s spring rolls (Lumpia): my mom made this a family tradition growing up. We often had it on Friday nights.
My favorite special occasion and splurge dishes
These recipes are the ones that I have perfected and would love to hand to those that come after me.
- Strawberry shortcake: might also qualify as a family tradition as it wasn’t summer without making some version of this growing up. This is my own recipe that I perfected.
- Atlantic Beach Pie: First time I made it, this one placed on the top of the list for favorite desserts.