Last Updated on December 10, 2021
Nothing makes us nostalgic like the food we loved as kids. But now that we’re all grown up, we rarely go back to these childhood favorites, often because of our grown-up taste palettes and devotion to high-quality ingredients.
It doesn’t have to be this way—all it takes is a little creativity to recapture those treats we love so much in the past. For a walk down memory lane, try these re-crafted childhood favorites with a healthy grown-up twist,
Tex Mex Hot Dogs and Boursin Pigs in a Blanket
Hot dogs were a favorite when we were young—and they still can be, if you care about quality ingredients. ButcherBox uncured hot dogs and mini uncured hot dogs are made with crate-free pork and grass-fed, grass-finished beef, and are the perfect way to recreate your childhood memories.
We recommend two ways to add to the experience of the treats of your youth: Tex Mex Hot Dogs, topped with Mexican crema, and a salsa of fresh vegetables, cilantro, and pinto beans, and Fancy Boursin Pigs-in-a-blanket, a simple recipe of five rich, delicious ingredients that quick and easy, and packed with flavor.
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Remember the cheesy goodness of mac and cheese? It’s time to remember it again, but this time, the flavor is going to be way better than before. This recipe for Lobster Mac and Cheese features a creamy, four-cheese sauce, made with garlic, cayenne, and paprika that incorporates large chunks of fresh Maine lobster for the ultimate comfort meal.
Sticky BBQ Chicken Tenders
Chicken nuggets used to be all the rave. Their grown-up version is just as addicting; free range chicken tenders, done Sticky BBQ style. This salty and sweet recipe uses both a homemade BBQ sauce and a bacon wet rub to add an extra savory flavor. Toss on the grill, and in twenty minutes of cooking, this mature finger food will be the life of your grown-up party.
Pizza
As a kid, pizza was simple, tasty, and fun because we could eat it with our hands. As an adult with expansive taste palettes, pizza is still a hands-on experience, but with so much potential.
You can go for a quick, southern experience with this Fajita Pizza, or ditch the red sauce in favor of pesto with this chicken pizza. And if you’re thinking outside the box, fire up the grill for grilled pizza, which offers a smoky, charred crust, unlike anything you’ll ever achieve in a pan.
Grilled Cheese
We can’t talk about our favorite childhood recipes without mentioning grilled cheese. While few dishes are simpler, a little extra effort goes a long way to elevate this hot sandwich. By adding caramelized onions, frisée, smoked ham, and gouda, this simple dish becomes a gourmet food experience, simple in its prep, and wealthy in its flavor.
Waffles
Warm, soft waffles smothered in maple syrup were a childhood version of heaven.
For a sophisticated version, serve these fluffy, doughy delights with a hot piece of fried chicken. When trying chicken and waffles for the first time, it might seem like a strange pairing, but the salty-sweet combination of the dough, syrup, and beer-battered meat is truly a match made in heaven.
