Foods That Remind Me of Being a Kid
As a kid, certain foods were always a source of comfort for me.
It was something familiar. Something that made me feel safe. Something that made me feel at home.
And honestly, many of those same foods have followed me into adulthood.
Sometimes, I feel a little self-conscious about still loving the foods I grew up with. I know most people probably aren’t judging me, but I can’t help feeling that way when I’m around people trying new foods and enjoying all kinds of flavors, while I’m happily eating something that others might consider simple or even bland.
But these foods have been with me through so many seasons of my life.
For me, they aren’t. just meals.
They’re memories.
Do you ever have certain foods that instantly bring you back to your childhood?
I have quite a few.
It’s amazing how food can do that. How one smell, one taste, or one familiar meal can suddenly bring you back to a specific moment.
Sometimes it’s the smell of something cooking in the kitchen. Sometimes it’s a meal you haven’t had in years that takes you right back.
These are some of the foods that remind me of being a kid — the ones connected to family dinners, simple moments, and the little joys that made childhood feel special.
Pot Roast and Mashed Potatoes
If I had to choose one meal that feels like home, it would probably be pot roast and mashed potatoes.
There is just something about tender pot roast, creamy mashed potatoes, and the smell of it cooking throughout the house all day.
It reminds me of family dinners and sitting around the table.
You can find my pot roast recipe here: https://embracetheunseen.com/2025/04/29/a-pot-roast-kind-of-love/
Spaghetti and Meatball Nights
This is my dish.
If anyone knows me, they know spaghetti and meatballs have always been a staple in my household.
A big plate of spaghetti topped with two good-sized meatballs, garlic bread on the side for dipping — bada bing, bada boom, forget about it.
It’s the kind of dinner where everyone is gathered around the table. It’s familiar, relaxing, and feels like home.
This meal speaks to my family and my roots. It represents little pieces of who I am.
You can find my spaghetti and meatball recipe here: https://embracetheunseen.com/2026/02/02/the-love-of-cooking-italian-food/
Ice Cream
Ice cream always felt magical as a kid.
Whether it was after dinner, on a warm summer evening, or just a special treat, it always brought a little excitement.
For me, it was almost always strawberry ice cream.
And to this day, it’s still my favorite flavor. Anytime I go out for ice cream, there’s a very good chance I’m getting strawberry.
It reminds me of carefree summers and those simple moments that felt special.
Check out this recipe for Chocolate Chip cookies topped with Vanilla ice cream: https://embracetheunseen.com/2025/08/02/when-all-else-fails-make-the-cookie/
Chicken Tenders and Chicken Nuggets
Chicken tenders and chicken nuggets were definitely a childhood staple.
They were the kind of food I could always count on.
And honestly, I still love them.
For extra comfort, I’d sometimes put melted cheddar cheese on top and always dip them in barbecue sauce.
I know it sounds simple, but that combination was the best.
Check out this recipe for chicken Milanese: https://embracetheunseen.com/2026/05/15/crispy-chicken-milanese-for-the-days-you-need-comfort/
Beef Taquitos
Beef taquitos always remind me of my teenage years.
I ate these all the time after school.
I’d come home, drop my backpack, heat them up, grab some taco sauce, and settle into my usual routine.
At the time, it was just an easy meal after a long day.
Looking back, those little routines mattered more than I realized.
Check out this post: https://embracetheunseen.com/2026/05/11/the-emotional-connection-between-food-and-mental-health/
Pizza Nights
Pizza nights always felt fun.
Growing up, going to Blockbuster to rent a movie on a weekend night and picking up a pizza was always a highlight.
It was always the same place and the same style of pizza for me every time.
Let’s just say when I find something I really like, I hold onto it.
There was something exciting about knowing pizza was for dinner.
Check out this post: https://embracetheunseen.com/2025/09/14/comfort-foods-that-heal-top-favorites/
Strawberries
Strawberries will always remind me of summer.
Fresh strawberries in a bowl, strawberry desserts, and warm afternoons when life felt a little simpler.
But more than anything, strawberries remind me of my grandma.
Every summer, she would make a cake with icing and strawberries. Sometimes the strawberries were mixed right into the cake, and other times they were placed on top.
Either way, it always felt special.
It’s one of those memories that has stayed with me over the years.
A simple dessert, but one filled with so much love.
Summer Strawberry Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 cup fresh strawberries chopped (optional)
For the Icing
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
For the Topping
- 2 cups fresh strawberries sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, until everything is well combined.
- If you’d like strawberries baked into the cake, gently fold in the chopped strawberries.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely.
Make the Icing
- Beat the butter until creamy.
- Gradually mix in the powdered sugar.
- Add the milk, vanilla, and pinch of salt, beating until smooth and fluffy.
- Spread the icing over the cooled cake and top with sliced strawberries.
Notes
Grandma’s Two Ways
It’s funny how certain foods can hold so many memories.
The older I get, the more I realize food isn’t just about what we eat.
It’s about the people.
The traditions.
The little moments that seemed ordinary at the time but became memories we carry with us.
These foods remind me of summers that felt endless, dinners around the table, and the simple joys of childhood.
Sometimes, that’s why certain foods stay with us.
Because it’s not just the meal we crave.
It’s the feeling that came with it.
And for me, that feeling is home.
What foods make you feel like a kid?
“Home is not a place… it’s a feeling.” — Cecelia Ahern
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Soul Kitchen Cookbook: A Seat At The Table
Soul Kitchen is a heartfelt collection of recipes and stories that celebrate the joy, comfort, and connection food brings. From family favorites to indulgent desserts, each dish is paired with memories and reflections that make cooking a soulful experience. Perfect for home cooks of all levels, this cookbook invites you to bring warmth, love, and a little bit of nostalgia to your table.
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