Ho-Hum Cuisine

My family’s general cuisine is devoid of much fluff. My dad is an old meat-and-potatoes type so much of what we’ve grown up eating might seem terribly bland or typical: steaks, pot roasts, chicken breasts, meat loafs, basic pastas, etc; I would argue that much of our current menu habits were well-established before my birth, by the past upbringing of my parent’s parents, since any attempt to change is met with a strong resistance.
We partake of many things that, at this point in time, are often considered “traditionally American” such as hamburgers, pizza, and barbeque. Restaurants are used with moderate frequency, especially now that conflicting schedules often mean that a meal would only be cooked for one and the effort is deemed unnecessary.
In this environment, it is difficult to speak on food traditions that surround holidays, but with effort I can think of a few. Although not an entire course meal, I’ve always enjoyed Christmas because of my mother’s Snicker Doodles. Christmas means a few batches will be made along with the more common chocolate chip, and sugar variety. A home-made eggnog recipe is also a big staple for the same season.
My sister’s in-laws are far more flamboyant than us when it comes to such things. They like to throw very large family parties for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Fourth of July, but they do not serve anything you might expect. As an example, lobster is a key centerpiece for all three occasions. Their priority also inevitably falls toward ensuring a robust supply of cocktails and liquors. Eating is not emphasized at these feasts though feasts they are (due to the quantity of food present).
As with other topics, it seems that my family’s tendency for overwhelming practicality is the most obvious contrast when compared against other friends and their families. Our cuisine is very expected, largely due to my father’s appetites and what he interpreted as tradition a long time ago. Turkey is for Thanksgiving, ham is for Christmas, and the grill should be used for any patriotic holiday. Although this type of simplicity definitely, obviously lacks a touch of creativity, it is not without reverence. No one will want to be around him if there isn’t any pumpkin pie on-hand this coming weekend.