Growing up, many of us have memories of meals that were less than appetizing. Whether it was a dish that was overcooked or one that was simply not to our taste, there were likely a few meals that left us feeling less than satisfied. In this article, we’ve gathered 9 stories from people who have shared the tales of the horrible foods that their parents used to make.
These stories range from funny to outright gross, but they all offer a glimpse into the experiences of growing up with parents who were less than skilled in the kitchen. From Jell-O salads to canned green beans, these meals will make you grateful for the advancements in home cooking and the rise of food bloggers.
1. Fat-Free Cheese
“I came up in the 80’s when self-improvement was all the rage and fat-free was the buzzword. That’s when they came up with this stuff they called “fat-free cheese”, but let’s be real, it was barely even cheese. Picture melted yellow plastic toys from Fisher Price drizzled over your steamed broccoli…”
The 80’s was a decade of self-improvement and health consciousness. Fat-free products were everywhere, and the food industry answered the call by introducing “fat-free cheese”. However, this new product was a far cry from the real thing. In fact, it was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike cheese. The texture and taste were reminiscent of melted yellow plastic toys from Fisher Price, not the delicious dairy product we all know and love. The 80’s may have been a time of health and wellness, but it was also a time of questionable food choices.
2. Grandma’s Easter Egg Casserole
“My grandmother used to make a dish for Easter known as the Easter Egg Casserole. It was essentially a mix of leftover hard-boiled eggs with a rainbow of colors, mayonnaise, egg noodles, and a sprinkle of sugar. I have to say, it was the most disgustingly vile thing I have ever tried. The devil certainly had a hand in this Easter dish.”
Easter is a time for celebration and delicious food, but for some, it can also be a time for culinary disappointment. Despite its seemingly cheerful and colorful appearance, made with rainbow-colored hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, egg noodles, and a hint of sugar, this dish proved to be a disaster in the taste department. It’s a reminder that not all traditional dishes are a hit and that it’s always important to approach new foods with an open mind.
3. My Step-Dad’s Vegetarian Chili Recipe
“When my mother was away, she left my stepfather in charge of finishing her vegetarian chili recipe. The plan was to add two cups of bulgar wheat, which serves as a substitute for ground beef. However, my stepdad wasn’t particularly skilled in the kitchen and grabbed the wrong ingredient. He ended up adding two cups of brewer’s yeast instead of the bulgar wheat, creating a disgustingly inedible meal. To make matters worse, my sister and I were forced to eat an entire bowl of this disaster for dinner. The next day wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.”
Indeed, a lot of difficulties can arise when someone inexperienced in the kitchen is tasked with preparing a meal. Instructions are not enough, and, unfortunately, this stepfather grabbed the wrong ingredient, adding two cups of brewer’s yeast instead of the bulgar wheat. The result was a disgustingly inedible meal that the the sister were forced to eat for dinner. Iet’s hope the author’s stepdad has a better handle on his yeast/wheat differentiation skills in the future, or else they might end up with a side of beer with every meal!
On the bright side, they now have a pretty solid excuse for not being able to finish their chili ever again.
