Sunday Supper

(at least) 52 new recipes in 2021

I grew up in the 90s at a time when the nuclear-family-centric image of American life, created by a white-hetero-focused government and reinforced by commoditized media, was losing the battle with the more media, more consumption, always on a deadline, always running late way we live now. As a result, we were not a family that had regular big Sunday suppers. But I remember there always being a sense that we should be eating together more, like the families on tv. Amazing how many ways there are to tie food to guilt and shame.

Even though we didn't eat together on a regular schedule, I do remember plenty of big meals on birthdays and other special occasions and those memories still give me warm and fuzzies, and some stomach rumbling when I think of mom's mashed potatoes and gravy. And the allure of those meals, and the desire to break bread with a group of people I love holds quite a sway over me still. I love hosting dinner dates for two or dinner parties for ten. I get a legit rush out of cooking for the people I love. I feel closest to friends and family when we cook together or pass the rolls around the table.

But of course, 2020 made most of those things unsafe and impossible. While also making the desire stronger than ever. As a single guy who lives alone, it will probably be quite some time before I can fill my dining room with friends and feed them some new creation.

But that doesn't mean I can't cook.

So I'm committing to trying out at least 52 new recipes this year (one per week), to keep myself sharp, try some new foods, discover new food cultures and food writers, decolonize my culinary process and continue to hone my skills. In addition to the cooking, I'm going to do a bit of writing about each experience - where I succeeded, where I failed, what I learned in the process. Hopefully, I'll entice you to try one of these recipes, and you can learn from my mistakes.

Happy reading. Happy cooking. Happy eating.

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#homecook #sundaysupper #recipes #recipechallenge #foodblog #foodwriting #newfood