We Asked: Do you have a favorite dish a loved one used to make?

Every issue, we ask our readers to share their insights on a specific topic. Read their thoughts, and then let us know your thoughts, or watch for our next question in our weekly newsletter.

Q: Do you have a favorite dish a loved one used to make?

Many of our respondents shared their full recipes and photos with us. Explore more at chicagocaregiving.com/community-recipes.

Appetizer meatballs. My grandma made them, and then we would have hors d’oeuvres night where we got to eat in the living room. My mom would make a bunch of appetizers, the meatballs among them. They were always at any Hertel gathering.

—Margie Brandt, Vernon Hills, Illinois

My grandmother used to make chicken paprikas that I absolutely loved!

—Beth Comer, Westlake, Ohio

My step-mom used to make turkey burger gravy over mashed potatoes. I really loved it. It was comforting, and I feel a little sad that I don’t have it any more. It’s like a warm, cozy memory.

—Gillian Hastings, Chicago, Illinois

My mom was a dedicated volunteer for the Chicagoland Shetland Sheepdog Club for over 25 years, selling raffle tickets and making desserts for the buffets at our club events. Why was she so dedicated? It goes back to her childhood growing up on a farm in the 1920s. They had a large sheltie named Trixie.

One day Rose [my mom] was sent to the fields to do some chores where their bull was grazing. The bull felt disturbed by her presence and charged after her. She ran, but he was in hot pursuit. Suddenly Trixie came running, distracted the bull, and Rose was able to get out of the field. Rose feels Trixie saved her life. Hence, she felt obligated to these little dogs and volunteered for decades.

—Linda S. Kunicki via LinkedIn

I like to have the quesadilla and French fries that Yeh Yeh makes for me.

—Penny, Chicago, Illinois

Aunt Vernie’s ratatouille — more of a rustic style as a stew; my only change is with presentation. And my O’Ma’s chicken dumplings soup. Comfort in a bowl.

—Julyn Panicola, via LinkedIn

My Aunt Perle’s brisket — a melt-in-your-mouth treat she would make for the family once or twice a year. She gave me the recipe years ago, and it is a dish that continues to please family and friends.

—Skip Weiss, Caregiving publisher

Our mom, Suzanne Carter Meldman, for most of our life made this amazing recipe of crustless spinach pie. This appeared on any buffet for all holidays or for a shower or a brunch. You can eat this comfort food as a side to Thanksgiving turkey or a grilled hotdog or burger. The memories of events and this recipe being present is always a gift and continues in all of my siblings’ households, from the USA to Israel to the Dominican Republic.

—Barbara M. Rosenberg via LinkedIn