Broccoli & Cheese Casserole

Felicia Hinson

My family has always met around the table with plates full of food. That has always been our way of getting together and seeing those who we may not see very often. I know that many families eat together on special occasions, but my family is special. My parents are divorced and both remarried, so I have a really big family. All of my family is important to me, and it's really hard to see all of them, so when I do get to see them, it's a very joyous occasion.

I am blessed to have a family that can cook very well. The two people whose food I don't think I could live without are my father and my grandmother (my father's mother). The number one reason I love their cooking is that they really put themselves into it and they are so proud of being able to feed their family.

My grandmother is the best cook ever and one of the most good-hearted people that ever lived. She takes such joy in cooking for her family and being able to provide them with a meal. It doesn't matter how tired she is--if I come over, she'll offer to cook me something. She has also made me a birthday cake every year, something that's really special to me. She is definitely where my father got his passion for cooking from.

I know it might be a bit out of the ordinary for men to love to cook, but it's my father's passion. It's such a joy to see him cook, and he takes such pride in it. His dream is to open his own restaurant with a supremely unique taste so he can cook whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Even when he does go by a recipe, he puts his own twist on it and substitutes for things he likes better.

I love all of his food, but if I had to choose one, it would probably be his broccoli and cheese casserole. He has made it for as long as I can remember, and I think that's the main reason why I love it so much. I can tie it back to certain memories, especially holiday occasions with our family. I asked him where the recipe came from, but he said he kind of just made it up. Broccoli is also one of my favorite veggies, and I love cheese on everything, so this recipe is perfect for me.

Every year, my father's side of the family tries to get together at least once, whether it is Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Everyone brings something to the occasion, but my grandmother cooks most of the food. Every time we get together, my dad makes the broccoli and cheese casserole and everyone loves it. Hopefully one day I will learn to cook well and I'll have something special to share with my family, too.