ADVERTISEMENT

Growing up, home-cooked meals were few and far between in my household. Not because my parents were incapable of cooking, but simply because the value of a meal made from scratch was completely lost on my brothers and I. Why spend hours chopping fresh veggies and baking extravagant casseroles if we were perfectly content eating frozen peas, boxed mashed potatoes and rolls that came from a can?

Redditors have recently been discussing the foods that they ate growing up but rarely or never have today, so we’ve gathered some of their “nostalgia meals" down below. From foods that only a kid’s palate would enjoy to things people ate solely because their parents made them, enjoy scrolling through these delicacies that might transport you back to childhood. And keep reading to find conversations with the person who started this thread and Madison of Inherited Recipes!

#1

“What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Sliced tomato sandwich. We ate them on white butter crust bread. Mayo, salt and pepper.

andmen2015 , atodaso/(not the actual photo) Report

Add photo comments
POST
Almost sunny
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sliced tomato on buttered toast with salt and pepper is addictive

View more commentsArrow down menu

To find out how this discussion started in the first place, we reached out to Reddit user MinkSableSeven, who posed the question, “What did you grow up eating all the time but now haven’t had in years?” She shared that her inspiration for starting the thread was realizing how mundane her diet had gotten.

"I eat the same few items over and over again, year after year. I knew I couldn’t be the only one experiencing this, so I headed to Reddit to ask," she told Bored Panda.

In her post, MinkSableSeven mentioned that her mother often prepared tripe, liver and kidneys while they were young, but we were curious if she actually enjoyed these meals. "I didn’t always appreciate these foods growing up, especially when I was old enough to learn what parts of the animals these foods came from," she admitted. "However, I notice specifically that I was rarely sick growing up. We ate very little processed foods. We frequently had fresh vegetables with meals; collard greens, cabbage, turnips, beets. Foods I rarely eat today."

ADVERTISEMENT
RELATED:

    We also asked MinkSableSeven how different her diet is from how her parents ate. "There’s definitely a generational aspect that plays into the foods I grew up on," she shared. "For instance, growing up I always had oxtails. Almost every other week there’d be a pot simmering on the stove and I couldn’t wait for dinnertime. Back then, oxtails were considered poor folks food. Now it’s like oxtails have become gentrified. I used to purchase 10 pounds at a time (because most of it is bone) and have leftovers. Now when I purchase them, I get maybe 5 pounds at the most. They’re $12 a pound where I live."

    "Ironically, I saw a TikTok several months ago where someone was showing how she prepared them," MinkSableSeven continued. "I noticed the packaging, took a screenshot and zoomed in. They were $5.99 a pound. I messaged her to ask where she was getting them so cheap, and she told me she lived in Texas near a farm where she could get them super fresh and inexpensive. I was so jealous. Still am. If I could get them that cheap, they’d make more appearances on my dinner plates."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #3

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Fish sticks used to be a lot more common. Think it was an easy no stress way to get me to eat dinner.

    emmyfro , Karl Baron/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    As far as what the OP thought of the replies to her post, she wasn't surprised that the topic resonated with so many people. "But many of the comments inspired me to start a little list of recipes I want to look for and add to my meal rotation," she noted. "Like many people mentioned casseroles. That’s a word you almost don’t hear any more."

    "The answers really are like a walk down memory lane with people sharing their affections for the days of fish sticks, Hamburger Helper (before it changed; today it doesn’t taste half as good), pot roast, Swanson’s TV dinners, meatloaf and Jell-O," MinkSableSeven says. "Some of these I don’t miss, but again, I’ve been inspired by many of the comments to refresh my collection of recipes with some new iterations of meals I loved growing up."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #4

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Meatloaf. My mom was an awful cook, and meatloaf is generally awful, but for some reason my mom's meatloaf was amazing. I can make every other dish she actually made well (there weren't many lol), but I have no idea how she made the amazing meatloaf. I should actually have another go at recreating it, I miss my mom and her meatloaf.

    Missscarlettheharlot , jeffreyw/ Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jan Rosier
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    finely chopped onions or challots, some chives, pepper and salt, egg, and spices of your liking... cannot go wrong.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #5

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Baked beans with cut up hot dogs. I always looked forward to this meal as a kid, but my mom recently admitted that she only made it when she barely had any money.

    strawbrimlk , Kiwanna’s Kitchen (not the actual photo) Report

    ADVERTISEMENT

    To learn more about recipes that might cause a flood of nostalgia, we also got in touch with Madison of Inherited Recipes. Madison started her blog as way to work through all of the recipes her grandmother gave her, including some from her personal life and others that she prepared as a professional chef. Madison was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda about these delicious recipes and how they can transport some people back to the past.

    "I find many of the recipes on my blog are filled with nostalgia. Not necessarily for me, but I get many messages about how these recipes are from people's childhood!" she explained. "Which makes sense, all of the recipes I post are those that I inherited from my grandma. She had 5 sons, and cooked and baked every day."

    "As for me, it is my first time making and trying a lot of these recipes, but I love that researching them and baking them myself does bring nostalgia knowing that these were recipes made many years ago by my grandma does bring me a lot of joy! And I love trying new things, so it is the best of both worlds," Madison added.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Stuffed cabbage rolls; every Eastern European country has a version of this dish.

    kilroyscarnival , Amy Ross/Flickr (Not the actual photo) Report

    #7

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Sloppy joes.

    large_crimson_canine , Cayobo/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Marie Dahme
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of the song Adam Sandler sang on SNL back in the day...Lunch lady land. The chorus was " sloppy Joe's, slop slop sloppy joes" with Chris Farley dancing as the school lunch lady. Lol. Ahhh. Good times.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    We were also curious which foods make Madison feel nostalgic. "I ate a lot of chocolate Pop-Tarts as a kid!" she shared. "I would eat chocolate Pop-Tarts and some apple sauce. I really don't eat them at all any more, except for when I was pregnant, and I had a mega craving for them!"

    Another recipe that reminds Madison of childhood is just a simple chocolate chip cookie. "It was one of the recipes I baked all on my own. My mom let me do it by myself, and I still use the same recipe!"

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Coke float. Can of Coke in a glass, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

    Northernfrog , lady__jane (not the actual photo) Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Frozen TV Dinners in foil: Hungry Man, Banquet etc.

    For those of you born after maybe 1980, this was before microwaves. A foil tray, usually with three compartments: like Salisbury steak for the main dish, something like corn and carrots in the side, and a brownie for desert. They took like half an hour to reheat. There was a fried chicken dinner that had an apple cobbler. I can still smell it. No microwave Hungry Man dinner can match it.

    They went spectacularly well on TV trays: folding trays you could set in front of you so you could eat while watching TV from a sofa or recliner. Before the VCR, you either watched Candid Camera when it aired at 9pm, or you missed it.

    todlee , wendalltwolf (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Marie Dahme
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember the foil on the TV dinners back in the 70s ! That foil was heavy and thick and you could cut your little fingers on it the wrong way.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    "Another recipe that reminds me of my childhood are sour cream cut-out cookies," Madison continued. "These are the cookies we would make every year for Santa, and I just remember having the best time baking them, cutting them out, and then having to wait for what felt like so long for them to cool down so we could frost them! I would use so many sprinkles and made some wild-looking cookies, but we would always eat them. I am looking forward to making them with my daughter!"

    #10

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Chef Boyardee. I purchased some of the ravioli in a can recently. I tried it and was really surprised at how disgusting it was. I remember it fondly from childhood.

    xenpiffle , Mike Mozart/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    OneWithRatsAndKefir
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Our tastebuds are constantly changing and evolving, after all. I used to love marshmallows, thought my mom was a tiny bit crazy when she said they were way too sweet for her; you all can probably guess that I agree with her now. The fun part of getting older is finding foods you didn’t like before and do like now (never thought I’d go crazy over stuffed peppers or enjoy sour cabbage).

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Shepherd's Pie. Always my favourite thing my mum made but I've never bothered to make it.

    WordsUnthought , Xiaoyin (Yin) Li (not the actual photo) Report

    #12

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Cereal. Breakfast almost every day was cereal. Now I can’t stand the stuff.

    Also drinking milk with everything.

    anglerfishtacos , Tom Ray/Flickr (Not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    SonicAlchemy
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an adult, cereal is now a "munchie" when I'm high on cannabis. Nothing better than getting baked and smashing a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and I've always loved milk. Chocolate milk is one of my favorite things in the whole human world.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Madison also shared recommendations of a few recipes that might fill you with nostalgia (as well as deliciousness). "One of my favorite recipes I have come across is my Great-Great-Grandmother's recipe for Chocolate Fudge Cake! She was born in 1900. My grandma's sister gave me this recipe, and she said that this cake would stay moist for 2 whole weeks!"

    "The other one that I get a lot of comments on, saying things like that they used to make this, or their mom used to make it, is for Traditional Norwegian Coffee Cake! It is a very simple old recipe that was fun to find in my grandma's collection because she had a note saying 'Bruce's favorite,' who is my dad. He told me that she would make this recipe for his birthday every year, and it is one of the most popular recipes on my blog."

    #13

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Fried bologna. My dad made a mean fried bologna sandwich with a slice of American cheese on wonder bread with mayo. On special occasions we also got our sandwiches with a fried egg or Lays potato chips added between the layers of bologna.

    CottonHeadedElf , Edsel Little/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad always tells us about being poor in college and eating a lot of fried Spam. You couldn't pay me to eat that stuff!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Jell-O with canned fruit cocktail inside to make it “healthier”.

    UpNorth_123 , Willis Lam (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Red PANda (she/they)
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate that stuff, I’d eat around the fruit when it was served to me at lunch. The texture is so annoying. I don’t mind jello or fruit, but they do not go together.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #15

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Poached eggs in buttered toast. It's been 20 years or so.

    uplifting_southerner , Kai Hendry/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    "Another one of the most popular recipes is for Brown Sugar Frosting," Madison added. "It is very simple to make and was popular back in the day. People say this is what their grandma's used to use!"

    "I just love how baking old recipes, and for me specifically going through the recipes from my grandma, gives a connection to the past and can help bring some nostalgia and comfort food to today!" Madison says.

    If you'd like to make something that might make you or your parents incredibly nostalgic, be sure to visit Inherited Recipes!

    #16

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Spaghetti and country crock. God bless my single dad, but I've got tomato sauce money now.

    Straight_Positive423 , Turtleramem (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Marie Dahme
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Buttered noodles with some fake parmesan cheese and a dash of Italian herbs was my go to

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Taco night with all the white people fixins. Crunchy shells, ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, diced tomato, and miiiiiiiiiild salsa.

    itsf*ckingpizzatime , Karl-Martin Skontorp/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    #18

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Hamburger Helper and other box meals. I bought a box of the cheeseburger one for nostalgia's sake years ago and it tasted like bland chemicals.

    Ms_Emilys_Picture , Paul-Belgium (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Amanda Rose
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is definitely something that was a common thing in my family. I really loved the beef stroganoff. Tried it again a few years ago and it was just a massive sodium bomb. I was very disappointed.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Lots of casseroles made with canned “cream of” soups.

    I can’t do casseroles these days. As a kid, chicken and rice casserole was the best! But now, it just doesn’t hit.

    Runzas_In_Wonderland , kindlythankful (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    sbj
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Casseroles can be so varied and are perfect on Autumn and Winter evenings

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #20

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Kraft Dinner (What we call the blue box mac n cheese in Canada) Used to love it as a kid, now I cant stand it and just make my own mac from scratch.

    Reddit4Quarantine , Papasmurf43469 (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Zara VP
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People love to hate on Kraft mac & cheese, but I love it still! It's good every now and then.

    Red PANda (she/they)
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think they changed the recipe lately. I still love it, but the cheese powder is more clumpy and it tastes a bit weird.

    JL
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I make my own awesome mac & cheese from scratch, but still enjoy the Kraft. You just can't compare them straight up. It's like comparing a good steak to a fast food burger. They're both beef but they live in different worlds.

    Mel
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just realized that it’s not actually called Kraft dinner… Kraft Mac & cheese just doesn’t sound the same.

    Lucky2BAlive
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I admit sometimes I make this and then go all creative with it. I don’t it but everyone here does. You can add just about anything when you are needing to stretch a meal.

    Bookworm5000
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Kraft Mac & Cheese. If your parents don't buy it, stop loving them." iykyk

    Midwest Panda
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'll admit, this is the only Mac and Cheese I liked growing up. I still ate it up until about last year. I think I finally ate too much of it, lol

    John Truglio
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My brother used to put rainbow sprinkles on his Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner.

    Nova yt
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want the real stuff but my kids prefer this, same with my best girlfriend's kids, kids are funny.

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Packaged Mac & cheese is so high in salt that I had to give it up (blood pressure, you know). So I was delighted when HEB came out with their low sodium version, and now I have it every couple of weeks. It's very smooth and good!

    Joanne Earle
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to LOVE this in the 80s...it was a staple food in college. Now it doesn't taste the same at all.

    UncleJon_TheMadScientist
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Throw cut up hotdogs, leftover cut up BBQ chicken or sausages or just about any other meat and it becomes a real treat...

    megasmacky
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still like it mixed with ground beef or undiluted Campbells chicken noodle soup. I'm the Gordon Ramsey of low-rent cuisine.

    K Tigress
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mac and cheese always made me sick to my stomach although I kind of still enjoyed it as a kid. Reason was my mother use to make it with cottage cheese, raw egg and sugar. That would be dinner for the day when she didn't feel like cooking.

    Brian Droste
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The last time or two I had Kraft Mac n cheese it just wasn't as good as before when I had it. Would try to find a good match n cheese recipe on line. Or does anybody know how to doctor it up to make it better.

    FloralDangerNoodle
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Buy Cheetos mac & cheese, it's way better, especially since Kraft changed the recipe. Now it's just gross.

    Load More Replies...
    SandraG_lak
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I haven't had it in decades but was craving it just the other day!

    The Original Bruno
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I use annie's, double up the cheese, and use the second (now cheeseless) box for some other pasta dish. I used to love to add gorgonzola, but now that I'm married with kid, that's no longer an option.

    Lee
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here in the UK we have and love Kraft Chessey Pasta. The pasta looks thinner than this American stuff.

    MisterPaul
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's been a long time since I had the boxed version but I remember some of the store brand versions were better.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Anything grilled. Hot dogs, hamburgers, hobo baskets (chicken, rice, bell peppers, onion). My dad loved grilling and was very proud of the food he would make. Especially his hamburgers ❤️‍🩹 I miss him so much. I can’t wait to buy a grill one day.

    Hello891011 , Gabriel Saldana/ Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ZGutr
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whenever my wife suggest the grill, I know she's not in the mood for cooking. Love to take a whiskey and stand at the grill making something. There is no grill season for me, I'm doing it all year round ...... yes, also in the (Swedish) winter.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #22

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Ha, gluten. Coeliac disease sucks.

    Snowf1ake222 , M Dreibelbi/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Two Fluffy Maine-coons
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That it does my friend that it does. Have had it since I was 8. Forget what most “normal”things taste like. Luckily gf substitutes are now more common and actually good!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #23

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Homemade fried chicken. It was our Sunday dinner every week without fail. I make it like 1-2 times a year at most. I don’t want the grease in my kitchen.

    DaisyDuckens , Harry Dona/Pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) My age can probably be determined accurately by:

    * Individually wrapped Kraft cheese slices
    * Cottage cheese
    * Campbell's cream of X soup
    * Swanson's TV dinners
    * Pepperidge farm turnovers.

    dirthawker0 , Mike Mozart/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Heather Atwood
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OK my son and I discovered these SPECIFIC slices (pictured) and they are decidedly different than the usual American cheese-maybe a little less plastic, but honestly the best!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) My parents are Peranakan and Teochew Chinese but immigrated to the US when I was young. I grew up eating a lot of Singaporean home cooking. Pork and peanut soup, nonya chicken curry, steamed sea bass, fishball soup, tau yu bak, achar, yong tau foo. I didn’t realize how much time some of these things take to make until I moved out. My mom did her best to pass down heritage recipes to me. I miss them a lot and have been trying to cook more Singaporean for my family.

    Toastwich , pelican/ Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    sbj
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You were so lucky to have had this growing up and this list of food is mouth watering

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #28

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) A dish my mom called oven stew. Basically it's ground beef, veggies and potatoes layered and baked in a casserole dish. Sort of a lazy, Americanized shepherd's pie.

    It's not too difficult to make, but when I make it, it doesn't seem to come out right, so I've given it up. Every once in a while I'll have my mom make it for a birthday dinner.

    snakeravencat , qhqy (not the actual photo) Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #29

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Ocean fish. My dad fished for the family and we ate fish 3 times a week. Now I don’t trust the majority of supermarket fish and can’t afford the specialty seafood stores near me. I am glad I spend summers in Maine near enough to get fresh.

    Shilo788 , Stem/ Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    JoNo
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My family had to eat fish on Fridays, so we alternated between fish fingers and smoked cod (gag).

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #30

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) A can of Campbell's soup was 'pasta sauce' growing up.

    ch0w0 , Mike Mozart/ Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    JoNo
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a child I only had canned soup: tomato, vegetable and cream of chicken of the Campbells variety. I did not like vegetable, and as an adult was surprised soup could be homemade and not out of a can. I even like vegetable soup now. I occasionally still use canned soup as the base in casseroles and slow cooker meals.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #31

    I have distinct memories of chopped up hot dogs and easy mac. Getting to be the one who got to scrape the spoon was a huge deal back then.

    Aside from that, I think we had an actual stouffers truck occasionally come by and drop of frozen lasagna? I always hated it, but I could be misremembering that one.

    Kyser_ Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Grenelda Thurber
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had Schwann's food delivery trucks when I was a kid. They had anything that could be frozen. I loved their pies.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #32

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Chipped beef on toast, fried bologna sandwiches and spam in any form. Ate so much of these growing up I can’t even consider it.

    IcedHemp77 , Serene Vannoy/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Pandapoo
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don’t eat Spam, but I do buy Stouffers chipped beef occasionally.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #33

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Cow tongue. My parents made the most delicious tomato based stew with cubes of tender and meat.

    Cow tongues used to be super cheap when I was a kid. I haven't seen cow tongues for sale since I starting buying meat.

    Bunnyeatsdesign , Rossingol (not the actual photo) Report

    #34

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Grew up lower-middle class with parents who weren’t great cooks (at the time), so hot dogs and Kraft dinner were the staples.

    Also, soft boiled eggs placed in little holders with the tops broken off. Paired with toast cut into skinny strips to dip into the yolks. Not sure if there is a real name for this, but we called them Dippin’ Eggs.

    Alleggsander , stu_spivack/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    #35

    McDonald's. It was a victory as a kid, but a defeat as an adult.

    Bologna sandwiches. Keep that c**p away from me!

    Plain grilled cheese sandwiches. Just don't think about having them now, always adding things to make them melts.

    Lord_Shockwave007 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was packed a bologna sandwich on white bread 5 days a week as a kid. I was fine with that, until one day I was eating and suddenly I found it disgusting. That was the last time I touched bologna. (It was some time in the 80's) I think my taste buds finally grew up and were like WTF?? :)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #36

    Egg rolls ... but not the kind you would find in a restaurant. Hers were filled with shredded cabbage, ground beef, and cheese. They were good as hell and HUGE.

    DanManKs Report

    #37

    Canned corned beef hash and Dinty Moore Beef Stew. Yuck.

    CarinSharin Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Amanda Rose
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Have the hash from time to time. I just have to pair it with something like eggs now (I used to practically eat the whole thing by itself - what was I thinking?)

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #38

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Beef, especially ground beef.

    Ground beef was cheap growing up. It was the hurried homemakers answer to everything.

    Now it’s something that I consider a treat. Same as lamb, high quality pork, nice offal or game/waterfowl.

    Steaks are a rarity.

    Ok_Watercress_7801 , osseous/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    #39

    ##Entenmann’s Boston cream pie
    I swear it was one of my favorites. Haven’t seen that anywhere in decades. They also have a good **devil’s food cake.**

    And **the pound cakes used to be heavy**. Now they’re damn near tiny squares.

    MinkSableSeven Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My favorite was the raspberry coffee cake with icing. I still see it at the store but haven't eaten it in decades.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #40

    Toaster strudel, Lean Cusine

    Peanut butter & marshmallow fluff sandwiches.

    vanastalem Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom claims that peanut butter and marshmallow fluff were her favorite sandwich as a kid. Sounds gross to me.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #41

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Liverwurst. Ate it on rolls all the time with my German oma, haven’t had it in years.

    garden__gate , stu_spivack/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    #42

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Lots and lots of fried fish.

    Their hobby was going camping/fishing in the summer. We filled freezers with fillets. We took the chest freezer camping with us! You'd have thought we were subsistence fishermen fishing for our dinner. Get up at 5am, go out in the boat til noon. Come back in, clean the morning's catch. Go back out. Stay on the water til dark. Come in and clean the evening catch. Day in, day out, every day of every "vacation" I was ever dragged on with them.

    RLS30076 , Yuya Tamai/ Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    #43

    Salmon patties. My uncle was the cook in the house, and he and I were the only ones out of all of us that enjoyed salmon. So, when no one else was hungry he would make us a couple. They were so delicious but I haven't had them since I moved out at 18. May have to ask him to make it again soon, for old times sake.

    NightSkyButterfly Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Papa
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mother made what she called salmon patties often, but they were made with canned mackerel because salmon was too expensive. They were awful.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #44

    My mom was a fantastic cook. Really involved recipes, holidays, breads from scratch whenever she could etc. Her best dishes were Swedish meatballs, arroz con pollo, Cuban black beans that would make an abuelita cry, pastisio, and a surprisingly *amazing* cracked wheat bread. 


    But she had 2 kids, worked full-time, and became a widowed single parent at one point and time was a crunch.






    So sometimes she would buy this frozen turkey block. It was white meat and dark meat sort of "pressed together" into a rounded mound and frozen with turkey gravy in a black tray, you could microwave or bake.




    G-d was it delicious. I haven't had it in DECADES, I don't even know what it was called. Add a box of Pasta-Roni and steam some frozen vegetables in the microwave with a dash of Cavenders Greek seasoning and I'm 14 years old again. I loved having a sliced with both the white and dark parts of the processed "block".

    huevosputo Report

    #45

    My mom made these things called "porcupine meatballs". It was her quick-fix dinner. They were regular beef meatballs but they were made with soy sauce and white rice rolled in. I never learned the recipe and I miss them so much.

    Takarma4 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #46

    Really good cheese and crackers. That was our family Sunday lunch growing up, a bunch of different really nice cheeses and some crackers to spread them on. Now that I live alone and do my own shopping I know that good cheese is really f*****g expensive.

    backlikeclap Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Michelle Carlson
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Up at my grandma's, we used to do triscuits, blue cheese, and have pickled herring (wine sauce or sour cream). One cracker with herring, one with blue cheese. so good

    #47

    Two things:

    1) Spinach omelets. My dad used to make with frozen spinach in a box
    . That was his entire scope of cooking for a kid. I did get iron and protein, though.


    2) Crockpot beef stew. My mom used to set this up in the morning (she got up at about 5) and serve dinner when we were back home. I have a crockpot now, but I can't make a meal the way mom did.

    rubiscoisrad Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom still does crockpot beef stew. In a pot she's had since the 70's. :)

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #48

    Velveeta grilled cheese sandwiches.

    Specialist_Cover_496 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    AndThenICommented
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Velveeta is my guilty pleasure. I always grab a couple bricks when I visit home or family comes to see me. My non-American partner tried it when I made shells and cheese (I make mine with onion), fully expecting to laugh and make fun of me…well he loves it now too. Gotta love those chemicals lighting up the pleasure receptors like a Christmas tree 😂

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #49

    Oh man, My mom would heat up a family sized pack of those cheap, frozen Salisbury steaks with gravy and serve them with instant mashed potatoes. I'd always make a messy sandwich from it all, and be super stoked when she said that's what was cooking. Simpler times.

    dhippi Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I refused to eat Salisbury steak because of the gravy. My mom did not understand. She'd say, "But it's just hamburger!" It wasn't. It was hamburger with gravy, which changed the taste and texture. My brother wouldn't eat it, either.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    Grits and cream of wheat. I haven't made them in years but they were a common staple when I was growing up.

    TheLadyEve Report

    #51

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Kielbasa. My parents cooked it a lot for us growing up but I rarely have it now.

    The only thing that comes close are these tillamook zero sugar meat sticks I bought that taste exactly like it, lol.

    carissadraws , ThreeIfByBike/ Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Debby Keir
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How come they have 'zero sugar' meat products???? I might have mint jelly with lamb, and apple sauce with pork, but that's the nearest that sugar gets to my meat.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #52

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Chef Boyardee pizza! Still would love that!

    andreasmom , FewHaveTried (not he actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sunday lunch every week. The toppings were hamburger and mushrooms. My brother and I hated mushrooms. Every family member had their own section of the pizza, with a few slices extra. Mom would do our sections without mushrooms, but then, every week she'd chop up mushrooms finely enough you couldn't tell what they were, and have me put them on my brother's pizza. It never occurred to me that she was doing the same to my pizza, as I was in the kitchen helping each week. I'd have seen her, right? Wrong.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #53

    Crab and lobster. It's a bit cheaper when you can go pluck it out of the ocean for the cost of a tank of air. The stuff, today, that's sold... seems low-flavor and stupid expensive.

    Cranky_hacker Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #54

    We ate skirt steak a lot as a kid because it used to be super cheap.

    ScottTowel Report

    #55

    Kielbasa and sauerkraut. My mom would take a bag of sauerkraut and empty it into a 9x13 pan. Then she would cut up kielbasa and quarter potatoes, cover it with foil, and bake in the oven. I’m a pescatarian now. My husband doesn’t eat cabbage but I’ve found ways to remake some of the food I used to eat like shepherd’s pie, gyros, Chickenless pot pie, tator tot casserole, etc. I’m trying corned beef tomorrow.

    kristenlicious Report

    #56

    Pinto beans and cornbread for dinner. Bologna sandwich for lunch. ALL. THE. TIME!

    cap_time_wear_it Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Amanda Rose
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm from Texas and pinto beans and cornbread are a very popular staple there. I still eat it to this day.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #57

    Kidz Cuisine frozen dinners.

    theWildBore Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #58

    Mom used to make lasagna from scratch. She didn't make the noodles, but she'd make the sauce and meat from scratch. It was always so damned good.

    Then she discovered Stouffer's lasagna, and we never had it again. Stouffer's is fine, but I want the stuff made with love.

    Dad's signature dish was Cream Chipped Beef, or as Granny lovingly called it, Shit On A Shingle. Toast, white gravy, roast beef. It was something.

    Not a common dinner anymore... I guess Banquet Table buffet when my folks were feeling lazy

    tacobelmont Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    OneHappyPuppy
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom's lasagna from scratch is the best. She makes everything from scratch. Btw, it's not noodles that you put into a lasagna, I don't know the correct term but it's definitely not noodles

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #59

    She'd make bisquick pancakes and scrambled eggs, breakfast for dinner, but it never made sense to me that pancakes should be sweet (with syrup), so just for me she would microwave up a little bit of spaghettios to go on them. I'm 40ish now, and a professional cook, but still kind of crave this. I might make some this week

    bigredplastictuba Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Our neighbour used to make gulab jamun with bisquix they were divine. RIP Mrs Selim

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #60

    My mom's leftovers meal mixed with hamburger which she called "goulash." It is not goulash. I have made goulash 2x. That wasn't it. 

    why_kitten_why Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #61

    Creamed new potatoes with peas.

    theguzzilama Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Illifred
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mother used to make this for me when I was sick. I loved it so much, that I got "sick" quite often.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #62

    Jenni-O Turkey loaf was like a weekly thing at home when i was young...and Hamburger Helper a couple times a week too.

    BloodPharts88 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #63

    Stuffed Artichokes. My mom would make them for us for lunch sometimes. I don't know how she made them and she passed recently.

    OverMlMs Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #64

    Chili rice. Just like it sounds, make some rice, heat up a can of chili, and then mix together and enjoy. I would usually eat it with some sliced white bread or saltine crackers.

    randoman00_00 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Papa
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Chili is good with Fritos also (with or instead of the rice). Or cornbread.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #65

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) My mom used to make enchiladas that called for a can of cream of celery soup. I loved them. They are the blandest, whitest enchiladas, but they taste like childhood. They also contained an entire container of sour cream and a pound of cheddar cheese. I'm not sure I could stomach them now.

    televisuicide , Alan Levine (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #66

    When I was a kid, I ate Cream of Wheat for breakfast nearly every day. I’d add a little butter and brown sugar, and sometimes, I’d add cornflakes on top for a little crunch

    Ok_Acadia7274 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Susan
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I also had cream of wheat almost every weekend growing up and always looked forward to it. I like it savory, though, so I would add butter and cheddar cheese to it.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #67

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Beef liver. My grandma knew how to make it very well, and my mom does as well. If you don’t do it right it tastes like dirt. I’ve made a chicken liver pate that was very delicious, but also a lot of work.

    MrsChiliad , Teresa Trimm/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kylie
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find beef liver too coarse for my taste. But lamb liver with bacon and onions yes. Just very hard to get lamb liver here in the states.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #68

    Both parents worked full time and didn't know how to cook but to their credit we always had a meal on the table. Haven't had any of these in years but staples included:

    -Rice a roni with ground beef

    -Hamburger helper

    -Oncor veal parmesean patties with egg noodles on the side

    -shake and bake pork chops

    -some sort of canned Veggie (these should be illegal)

    -canned biscuits

    -impossible cheeseburger pie

    -sloppy Joe's and frozen onion rings or tater tots

    -stereotypical white people tacos

    -meatloaf and boxed mashed potatoes


    I thought I didn't like vegetables because all I ever had growing up was canned or, if it was fresh like a rare zucchini, nuked in the microwave or boiled until it was literally mush. Once I found out veggies can be crisp and seasoned, turns out I love them.

    broken0lightbulb Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am a definite fan of Shake and Bake. Mom made it, and when we want something different I use it. Pork, chicken all good

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #69

    American “goulash” which is just like… spaghetti but with elbow pasta. My parents made it constantly because we were poor lol. That and spam with potatoes.

    cobalt-confetti Report

    #70

    Shells and white cheddar pasta from a box. Used to be one of my favorites as a kid. Now I'm not even brave enough to try to sample it again, I'll just enjoy the memory.

    Feats-of-Derring_Do Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #71

    My mom’s Swiss steak. She kept all of her recipes in her head and only wrote a few down for me when I got married right before she died. Wish I had her recipe!

    strawcat Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Amanda Rose
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like my mom. She frequently just made stuff up off the top of her head. She was an amazing cook. After she passed, my sister and I were going through the collection of recipes and finally figured out that her beloved German potato salad was made up and tweaked through the years. I still can't recreate it.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #72

    What was that salad with crunchy chow-mein noodles and canned mandarin oranges? I'm guessing that recipe dates back to the 50's/60's/70's, but I remember people still making it a lot for picnics and potlucks in the 90's. Personally I haven't seen it since then, though.

    Mila1023 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Marie Dahme
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can still find it. Matter of fact it was on my hospital menu once ! I think google oriental salad is what they used to call it. And the dressing was some kind of sesame seed, soy sauce, ginger thing. It was pretty good !

    #73

    Canned chicken chow mien Chinese food that came with a can of crispy fried noodles. I think the brand was Chung King or something like that. This served with rice and tea was exotic

    ogbubbleberry Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Marie Dahme
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I remember the brand was LA Choy and it was in a blue can. Two cans held together. Bottom can was veggies and the smaller top can was your meat and sauce. The chow main noodles were in a blue can with a blue resealable lid. I think I'm aging myself a bit !

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #74

    Tuna Noodle Casserole - an abomination I'm thrilled to never have plonked down in front of me again. Miss you, mom, you terrible and beloved cook.

    NotAlwaysRight543 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jesse
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mum still makes it. Casserole with tuna, pasta, heavy cream, and most importantly, garlic. It's delicious but not worth making it just for myself now that I moved out.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #75

    “What Did You Grow Up Eating All The Time But Now Haven’t Had In Years?” (30 Answers) Eggo waffles with melted sharp cheddar cheese. It was such a regular breakfast in my family that I didn't realize it wasn't a common meal until I moved into my first apartment. I told my roommate she was welcome to the Eggos and cheese, and she was confused.

    thesphinxistheriddle , almamahlerdoll (not the actual photo) Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #76

    Chicken breasts baked in Italian dressing with Pasta Roni. Mom's go-to.

    _shanoodle Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lauren K
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love marinating my chicken in Italian dressing! It comes out sweet and caramelized.

    #77

    Pork chops.

    I know how to cook them correctly now, I just...don't.

    Cymas Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Raphapablap
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I completely forgot about pork chops. Haven't eaten them in YEARS.

    #78

    Fried okra and fresh strawberries. Store bought strawberries are not the same as off the vine.

    VelcroSea Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Katie Lutesinger
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fried okra is so good. Just slice it, dip it in flour and a bit of seasoning and drop it in the oil and bam - crispy as anything!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #79

    Rabbit everything burgers to hotdish. Rabbit was in almost all of my meals growing up..

    Mrpikster00 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Papa
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My father and I raised rabbits for a number of years. You can make any traditional chicken dish better by substituting rabbit for the chicken.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #80

    Leftover cold roast meat (pork, chicken and beef) and raw fried potatoes (thin sliced spuds cooked in cast iron until crispy on the bottom).

    youngboomergal Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #81

    My mother was a terrible cook and we were also poor, so at least 1 night a week, we had "Chicken a la King." It was canned chicken, cream of mushroom soup and a jar of pimentos. Heat that up and serve it over toasted white bread. I don't think I've had it in 25 years and I'm ok never having it again.

    Anarchysparky12 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    pocwaddler
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mother had been a fry cook and so everything we ate when I was a kid was fried.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #82

    A full and different dinner every night consisting of an entree, two sides, and a side salad. Honestly, I don’t know how my mom did it. I’m a quick frozen meal kinda gal now and if I cook a full meal once a month I’m exhausted by the effort.

    Mausbarchen Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #83

    Margarine & Miracle Whip.

    Permtacular Report

    #84

    Fried breadcrumbs with noodles and ketchup. Used to love this! Oh, and bread with margarine and a little sugar sprinkled on top.
    Nowadays I eat a bit healthier. 😅.

    Proof-Coffee-3273 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #85

    My dad always used to make macaroni with canned tomatoes with some salt and pepper. Cheap, filling, and too no time to prepare. Probably not the most healthy thing, but we didn't really have a ton of money

    w1n5t0nM1k3y Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ace
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe lacking in protein, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with just basic pasta with tomato sauce . Grate a bit of cheese over it and you have an Italian staple.

    #86

    My mom made a semi-homemade Hamburger Helper when I was growing up using ground beef, green peppers, onions, and Manwich sauce. She'd make a pot of that with macaroni and we'd eat it topped with cheddar cheese. With a side salad. Always a side salad.

    mdm224 Report

    #87

    Cube steak. I like to refer to it as "meat gum" (it was just so CHEWY).

    Canned spinach. My mom would season it with white vinegar, and the stems ("strings") would get caught in my throat.

    You couldn't pay me enough to eat either one today.

    mangatoo1020 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    The Darkest Timeline
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cube steak is how they make tough cuts of meat edible. Works well for chicken fried steak.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #88

    Biscuits and molasses. Idk if it was a Maine thing but for many meals we would have biscuits as a side dish. We ate them buttered with a smear of molasses. It been at least 30 years since I’ve had it.

    rebeccavt Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Amanda Rose
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Done in Virginia too (both of my parents were from there). Still have them that way.

    #89

    Creamed Corn. Ham loaf. Sphagettio's (w/ scrambled eggs). I have a really long list.

    And the list of things I eat now that never even entered our kitchen as a youth is even longer.

    Travel really expands your taste horizons. Age reduces my ability to eat thing that are sweetened. And Ham loaf is just gross.

    DaHick Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kylie
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I liked creamed corn on buttered toast with a fried egg on top.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #90

    Kidney beans. My mother loved them. At some point I said I have eaten my last voluntary kidney bean. If some chili has them in there I won't be that fanatical about it, but enough is enough.

    Weirdly, I like other types of beans. But those big mushy things are done for me.

    SallysRocks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #91

    Hamburger gravy was white gravy. My mom called it a milk gravy. Back then hamburger was the poor person’s meat.

    Prior_Benefit8453 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kelly Scott
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now it costs more than steak when the steak is on sale. I paid $5/lb for hamburger the other day and that was at the cheap store. 85/15