When my husband and I first married I decided I was going to make a big pot of beef stew for our supper one night. I looked in my recipe book that my Mama gave me as a wedding present and then called my Mama to make sure I knew exactly how she prepared hers. I went to the grocery store and picked the freshest of ingredients, cooked it low and slow all day long, and that night excitedly served up huge bowls of beef stew with buttermilk cornbread.
The first bite I took, I was a bit disappointed.
While the flavor was similar, it was still not exactly my Mama’s beef stew. I said as much to my new husband who replied, “well, it doesn’t look and taste like my Mama’s either.”
For whatever silly reason, I let the comment hurt my feelings and didn’t make beef stew for years until I realized my husband wasn’t saying anything to hurt my feelings. He was only speaking the truth – no judgement involved.
And there lies the heart of the matter, Mama always makes it the best way. There’s just no two ways about it. No matter how old I am or how much I cook, I still prefer my Mother’s cooking to my own – even if I’ve followed her recipe exactly. I tease that it must be the way she stirs or that her wooden spoons have more flavor aged into them than mine do. Regardless of the reason, I’m not complaining.
And his Mama makes it the best way, too.
It’s the way of the world and one of the things that I’m counting on when my son grows up. Not that I’m wishing for him to like my cooking over his wife’s – well, not all of it anyway. I just hope he always remember how his Mama’s beef stew or waffles or whatever it is he’s having tasted.
Truth be told, I bet your Mama or Grandmama make a recipe the best way, too.
Speaking of those recipes that Mamas just make best, my Mama makes a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce that I just absolutely love. It goes great with pulled pork, BBQ chicken, meatloaf, and of course on ribs. I’ve not found any other BBQ sauce that I love nearly as much as my Mama’s. {But my husband thinks his Mama’s is better.}
Here’s how my Mama makes her BBQ sauce.
Add ketchup to a small sauce pan over low to medium heat.
Next add in your Worcestershire sauce.
A little bit of garlic seasoning salt.
Some good ol’ Coca-Cola.
Next comes the brown sugar.
And a few dashes of hot sauce for that bit of spicy kick.
Oh my!
This sauce works great with any meats, but is especially good with chicken and pork.
While it may not be like your Mama’s BBQ Sauce, I don’t think your Mama would mind so much if you give it a try.
A family recipe for sweet and spicy Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, loose
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
Instructions
http://addapinch.com/cooking/2011/08/22/mamas-coca-cola-bbq-sauce/
- Mix all ingredients together in a saucepan over medium to low heat.
- Allow to boil for about 5 to 10 minutes until reduced and thickened.
- Remove from heat and pour into cleaned jars and store in the refrigerator for several months or use immediately.
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Hey, and I have to tell you, Mama’s BBQ Sauce is perfect with BBQ Pork Chops, too. Give it try.
What’s a favorite recipe that your Mama or Grandmama made?
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Its true- Mama’s ALWAYS make it the best! Just something about having someone else do it for you- someone who loves you- makes even a simple sandwich that much better!
Hmmm – this looks stick to your ribs delicious.
Love your family stories, Robin! Keep ‘em comin’ girl!
That sounds yummy!
Funny that I was just talking to my son yesterday about what he will say to his wife if she makes something not as good as me. He said that he is going to have me give him all his best recipes and GIVE THEM TO HER TO COOK FOR HIM. {smack my head} WHAT??? I nicely told him that his wife is not there to cook for him and that he should make them for her!!! Thank goodness he is only 13 so I still have some years to train him!
Robyn – This is a keeper, for sure!! Will try this on your slow cooker BBQ Pork Chops. Love trying new bbq sauce recipes – so thanks for this recipe!
I put some boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the crockpot & poured this sauce over them. Oh,my! was it ever yummy!
I made this BBQ sauce for our familys labor day picnic which we had on Saturday, I put it over pulled pork I had cooked low & slow with a dry rub. It was a total success everybody loved the BBQ Sauce, had to sharethe recipe.
Thanks for sharing with us
I tried this recipe but with a few of my own additions. I used the broth from my pork, reduced it and added a cup of red wine together with the rest of the ingredients mentioned by you. Turned out absolutely yum! Thanks for your recipe. Kudos to your mum!
It’s possible that the reason your sauce tastes different from your mom’s is that you are using coke in a can. She probably used coke from a glass bottle. Coke in a can kind of tastes like the can, a mettalic taste. Try coke in a glass bottle. I think it makes a big difference. Some people may not even notice, though. By the way, the sauce is wonderful! Thanks for the recipe!
My mother made the most wonderful spaghetti sauce. She would let it cook all day long. Unfortunatly, she passed away before I thought to ask her how she made it.