The Taste of Gratitude

As the season of thanks rolls around, I’ve been thinking about how food plays such a big role in our cultures. It’s one of the first ways we learn love and care, even before realizing it. In my own life, gratitude has always shown up through the dishes that remind me of the people who raised me and the memories that come with them. It doesn’t always have to be an extravagant meal; what matters is the comfort and memories tied to it. Here are a few examples of what make up the taste of gratitude in my life.

1. Filipino Red Hot Dogs with Cheese

This might sound like a crazy combo to anyone who hasn’t had it, but this would be my breakfast almost every morning when I visited my family in the Philippines. My Lola and Lolo (Filipino words for “grandmother” and “grandfather”, respectively) always gave us a place to stay while we were there and made sure we were taken care of. At their house, my Lola would often cook this for breakfast. At the time, I got tired of eating the same thing. But now, I’d do anything to go back and have one more meal that she made. I haven’t been home since 2016, so even thinking about it hits a little harder. When I look back, I just remember how loved I felt in those small, everyday moments and how grateful I am that I got to experience that kind of care while they were still with us.

2. Lumpia

This is one of my biggest comfort foods, and honestly, the one dish you can count on to be at a Filipino party. I have clear memories of rolling lumpia wrappers with my mom in our kitchen, with her always having to fix mine because I would accidentally make them uneven. As I got older, I was able to perfect it so that mine finally matched hers. Last year, she even cooked a tray for me and drove from Maryland to bring it for me to share at the AAPC potluck. It meant a lot to see her put in that effort, just so I could share something from my culture with my friends. Lumpia will always remind me of the time, care, and connection that come from making food with loved ones.

3. Crispy Pata

I remember trying this dish once as a kid and instantly announcing it to the rest of the table that it was my favorite. My dad never forgot. Every time we go to a Filipino restaurant, he automatically orders it, and he even gives me the crispy skin first because he knows it’s my favorite part. He’ll even sometimes cook it when we have family gatherings. It’s a nice gesture that shows he cares, without having to say any words. In general, cooking for us is one of his love languages, and crispy pata is just one small example of that. His cooking is something I’ll always be grateful for, because I get to experience my culture even if I’m away from home.

4. Mango Slices

I’m sure you’ve heard of Asian parents cutting fruit as one of the classic ways they show their love, and my mom is no exception. Growing up, she always had sliced fruit prepared for me, even without asking. This past summer, I was living alone on campus, but every weekend she would bring me containers of my favorite, freshly sliced mangoes and remind me to keep eating healthy. It wasn’t anything big, but it was her way of checking in. I’ve grown to appreciate how something so simple can make you feel cared for, even when life gets busy.

All these foods mean something different to me, but they have something in common. They each carry pieces of my home, my culture, and the people I miss and appreciate. Thinking about them now just makes me realize how much my gratitude comes from the small things and from the acts of care that stay with you even after the meal is over.