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Ode to grandma: 10 heirloom recipes to preserve

From incredibly fluffy sponge cakes to heart-warming parmigiana, here are a few dishes passed down from nanas around the world.

Grandma's lamb curry

Grandma's lamb curry Source: Sai Yogant

--- The Cook Up with Adam Liaw airs weeknights at 7pm on SBS Food (Ch.33). All episodes are available anytime on SBS On Demand.  ---
Claudia Chan Shaw shares her grandmother's wonton recipe, but with her version of tart and sweet sauce. Watching her grandmother make these wontons is one of her fond childhood memories. These can be in a soup or fried.
Grandmother’s wonton
Grandmother’s wonton Source: Adam Liaw
If it's an Italian nonna's recipe, you know that it shall be three things: delicious, comforting and served in a quantity that far exceeds the capacity of one's stomach. This stew served atop a bed of creamy polenta very much hits all three marks!
Nonna Irene’s sausage stew with soft polenta
Nonna Irene’s sausage stew with soft polenta Source: Cook like an Italian
There are many variations of braised pork belly, but this recipe has been passed down to Adam Liaw, from his grandmother. Marinated in sweet and salty soy blend, and braised for around an hour, the dish goes perfectly well with rice and hard-boiled eggs.
Grandma's soy-sauce braised pork belly
Source: Adam Liaw
This curry has a special place for Sai Yoganathan. Passed down from her grandmother to her mother, it is now her family's favourite Sunday lunch. Traditionally made with quality farmed goat meat, lamb works perfectly, too.
Grandma's lamb curry
Grandma's lamb curry Source: Sai Yogant
Home cook Paolo pays homage to his Sicilian grandmother by cooking up her parmigiana and combining fried eggplants with grated mozzarella, pecorino and parmesan. Paolo's secret ingredient? Smoked leg ham slices.
Eggplant Parmigiana (Parmigiana Siciliana della Nonna)
Eggplant Parmigiana (Parmigiana Siciliana della Nonna) Source: The Chefs' Line Series 2
Nans sure know how to sponge cake, especially Donna Hay's hand-me-down. This sponge is light, airy, and worthy of passing down for generations.
My nan's sponge cake
My nan's sponge cake Source: Donna Hay
Janelle Bloom shares her Hungarian grandmother's cream cheese strudel recipe with luscious cherries. If time allows, drain the ricotta in the fridge for 1–2 hours before making the filling.
Cherry-cream-strudel
Source: SBS
This is Damien Coulthard's Nana Barb's recipe. Most of his family members make this pie, which is renowned in the Flinders Ranges, home of the urti (quandong). "So when we make this pie, it’s in Nana Barb’s honour. She had a real sweet tooth!"\
Urti Pie
Urti Pie Source: Warndu Mai (Good Food)
This simple, yet exceptional date and nut loaf comes from Jacqui Israel's grandmother, which has been passed down through generations. Serve with a generous spread of butter and some strong cuppa.
Date and nut loaf from Monday Morning Cooking Club
Source: Harper Collins
The Chef's Line contestant, Adrian Feher remembers standing on a chair, watching his grandmother cook this Spanish doughnut recipe. What makes this so special is the silky smooth chocolate custard dipping sauce.
Churros with chocolate-custard sauce
Churros with chocolate-custard sauce Source: China Squirrel
More grandma hand-me-downs can be found here.

 

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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
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Ode to grandma: 10 heirloom recipes to preserve | SBS The Cook Up with Adam Liaw