Heritage Cooking
Exploring food and cultural roots through cooking
Welcome to Rooted in Foods
As a descendant of German and Scottish settlers in southwest and Southern Illinois, I use cooking to connect with my heritage. By bringing traditional and family recipes to life, I tell the stories of my roots. Join me as we explore the fascinating world of food, family, and heritage.
German and Inspired Recipes
Use Leftover Roast for German Frikadellen
Similar to our American hamburgers, German frikadellen are flat and pan fried. They are also a close cousin to our meatloaf because they have a variety of herbs and spices and use milk, eggs, and breadcrumbs as a binder. Ingredients Use Up Leftovers Traditional frikadellen use up leftover meat, traditionally veal or lamb, but beef…
German Potato Salad – Kartoffelsalat mit Speck
I grew up calling this recipe “German potato salad”. As I’ve learned more about German regional cuisine, I’ve realized they, too, have many ways of making potato salad. I’ve also learned that potato salad recipes can cause quite the stir among German communities online! Even with the variations, there are two basic styles. In the…
Gurkensalat – German Cucumber Salad with Dill
I grew up eating this cucumber salad with creamy dill dressing never knowing that it has a strong connection to my German heritage.
Latest Musings
A Taste of the World: Exploring Global Flavors in Rural America
It is 1964. Imagine, for a moment, being a young student from Korea, Vietnam, or Jamaica. You arrive in an unfamiliar small town in rural America to attend a university with 12,000 other – mostly American – students. The culture is distinctively Midwestern and the food is unusual. You have limited access to familiar and…
Fresh Zucchini Rice Salad
This fresh zucchini rice salad salad uses seasonal summer ingredients found at our local famers markets along with with brown and wild rice. We use Southern Illinois Cahokia Rice in most of our rice dishes. The cashews provide a nutty crunch. Cahokia Rice Supporting local and regional businesses is important because, in doing so, we…
Use Local Ingredients for this Greek Inspired Salad
Mediterranean flavors and simplicity are at the heart of this Greek inspired salad. The recipe combines capers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions with creamy feta cheese and briny capers. This salad comes together very quickly using locally sourced, fresh ingredients. A very good friend shared this recipe with me; he made me promise to never, ever…
As a tourism educator, food writer, and self-proclaimed food nerd, I created Rooted in Foods to be your resource for exploring cultural roots through cooking. Whether you’re seeking heritage-inspired recipes, modern twists on vintage classics, or simply want to learn more about food history, I’m here to guide you.
Rooted in Foods is more than just a recipe collection; it’s a journey. I believe that food is a powerful connector, bridging generations, cultures, and traditions. That’s why I share personal stories, expert insights, and a mix of traditional and contemporary recipes. Together, let’s cook, learn, and connect.
Heritage shapes who we are
Our heritage is a narrative that transcends history, weaving a tapestry of our ancestors’ experiences. Heritage is found in the stories told by grandparents and in the traditions that shape our celebrations. It is the invisible thread that connects us to our past, informs our present, and guides our future. Heritage is what makes us … us.
Family History
Snow and Ice Storm Echoes of a Winter Past
January 6, 2025. Today, we woke up to two inches of snow on the ground. That wouldn’t be too bad except for the massive ice storm that came through yesterday. Our fluffy snow was sitting on top of an inch or more of solid ice. Ice is sitting heavily on trees and power lines. We…
How a School Project and a Bible Sparked My Genealogy Journey
I didn’t know I wanted to go ancestor hunting until my sophomore high school French teacher threw a family tree project my way. At 15, I was already a self-proclaimed history nerd, so the history part of the assignment had me hooked. But when it came to actually putting together a family tree? Total blank….
52 Ancestors Reboot
This isn’t so much a recipe or genealogy post, rather a “let’s get this 2022 party started” post. When Amy Johnson Crow launch her 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks writing challenge in 2014, I jumped at the chance to share my family research with, well, a small audience. That was about three months after I…
