It’s no surprise that many of our fond memories become palpable when we eat something familiar. Food is a sensory trigger that’s closely tied to traditions and special times, and family recipes become treasured heirlooms passed down through generations. At the heart of these recipes is typically a mom, grandmother or favourite aunt – and quite possibly, an unforgettable beef dish. Moms are memory-makers, and beef’s crave-appeal can make it the star ingredient for many a storied culinary experience.
As we gear up to celebrate Mother’s Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the unforgettable moments that happen with the help of the special women in our lives. Food bloggers and authors Christina Chow, Pailin Chongchitnant and Julie Miguel have shared some of the ways creating delicious food has helped them bond with the women in their lives in a heartwarming video series. They’ve also shared with us the recipes that they’ll be making for generations to come.
Christina Chow
The Memory: A family potluck tradition
For food blogger and influencer Christina Chow, beef brings to mind memories of family reunions and car rides spent in anticipation. “At the family potluck we used to have every year, this was the dish that my mom would make,” recalls Chow in her video (with her mom by her side). The recipe for Singaporean Beef Chow Mein has been in the family for generations, and Chow recalls relatives calling up before a gathering to confirm that it would be on the table. “I remember carrying the dish in the car with the beautiful smells of the curry, the beef, the vegetables that are all stir-fried together. I remember holding it in my lap, getting super excited to eat it once we got to the dinner.”
The Recipe: Singaporean Beef Chow Mein
This flavourful and satisfying dish is made with tenderloin grilling steak (filet). Tenderloin filet is lean and tender and delivers a unique flavour and eating experience. Just like mom, Chow slices the steak thinly before marinating and stir-frying it. Paired with rice vermicelli noodles and vegetables, beef brings a perfect balance of textures and flavours. “[It’s] an easy Singaporean-style chow mein that you can also bring to your family gatherings,” says Chow.
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Pailin Chongchitnant
The Memory: Lessons from Auntie Jenny
Chef, cookbook author and YouTuber Pailin Chongchitnant of HotThaiKitchen has always cooked beef as a way to connect with members of her family, as well as to honour a legacy of treasured recipes. One special family member is her mother-in-law, who Chongchitnant refers to as Auntie Jenny. “Over the years Auntie Jenny and I have truly bonded over our love of cooking,” she recalls in her video. As they cook together, Chongchitnant is learning some of her mother-in-law’s signature recipes to preserve for the next generation. “I asked my husband: ‘Which of your mom’s dishes do you most want me to learn?’ And without hesitation, he said ‘Beef and Tomato Stir-Fry’,” she says. “Which, of course, she didn’t have written down. So I had to go to her house, watch her make it, ask a lot of questions, and finally I was able to recreate a version that received my husband’s stamp of approval.” And now you can too.
The Recipe: Cantonese Beef Tomato Stir-Fry
This simple beef stir-fry recipe is loved by children and adults alike. Along with classic Chinese aromatics, the full beefy flavour of a lean flank marinating steak is at the heart of this dish – but there’s also a secret ingredient. “The sauce is made mostly of ketchup, which is why kids love this dish,” says Chongchitnant. “Auntie Jenny always served it with rice and fried eggs on top.”
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Julie Miguel
The Memory: Family bonds built by cooking
When food blogger and digital content producer Julie Miguel was a girl, one of her favourite things was spending time with her relatives and helping them cook. And it wasn’t always in the kitchen. “One of my fondest memories is making gnocchi with my aunt, grandmother and mother,” she says in her video. “We would spend hours in our basement at a big round table rolling the gnocchi on the prongs of the fork to get that characteristic ridge effect.” Miguel enjoyed being part of the tradition and has fond memories of listening to everyone chat. “They mostly spoke Italian and, while I’m not fluent, I could understand some of it,” she says. The fresh gnocchi were then cooked and served at a big family meal – often with this Beef Bolognese sauce made by her aunt that Miguel describes as “ridiculously good”.
The Recipe: Ricotta Gnocchi with Beef Bolognese
To make the Bolognese, regular ground beef is browned to maximize the beefy flavour. It’s then simmered for about 3 hours in a mixture of milk, nutmeg, wine and tomatoes. The result is a rich sauce with deep, satisfying flavours. “Preparing the gnocchi and sauce from scratch seems like a lot of work but it’s actually really easy and so delicious,” promises Miguel. “I hope you will try it!”
