How a mantra for a family holiday turned out to be a secret recipe for a happy life.
In the summer of 2007, we had a big backyard party for my parent’s 40th wedding anniversary. At their home in the Yukon. They lived in a two-story cabin since 2000 with a wrap-around deck (because in the summer, you could get the sun on all four sides of the house!). Quite a few members of the family finally came to see what the Yukon was all about. At one point in time, I think 17 people were staying on—or using—my parent’s property.
Mum and Dad moved themselves into their camping trailer. They borrowed a tent trailer from some friends. My sister and her family slept in that. Some cousins slept outside in a tent. My aunties and I all slept on the second floor of my parent’s two-story log cabin. Another uncle and aunt slept in Mum and Dad’s room (downstairs). My brother slept at some close friends. We made it! Thanks to the hospitality of Yukoners.
We all ate together. It was a big family affair. If you know my family–when we all get together–it’s all about food and feeding everybody. When one meal is over, we just start making the next. We even kicked Mum out of her own kitchen and took it over. Initially, she wasn’t too happy, but she got over it.
Mum wanted to have a special family meal the Friday everybody arrived. That Friday during the day, we sent Dad off on an errand and Mum off with her relatives to show them the town. My sister and I stayed home and cooked for the party the next day as well as the big family meal that night.
All day long. Chop. Cook. Clean. Chop. Cook. Clean. Chop. Cook. Clean. When it came to making dinner, I wanted to make my famous roasted potatoes. I started by scrubbing all the dirt off each one. I think there were twenty in total. Then, chop, chop, chop into wedges. Toss in olive oil. Liberally sprinkle on some Montreal Steak Spice. Add freshly chopped rosemary. Bake in the oven. Incredibly simple. Incredibly tasty.
I normally only do this recipe for one or two potatoes–never twenty. They weren’t baking fast enough. Everything else was ready: the BBQ, the salads, the desserts. We were all hungry but still waiting for the potatoes. And waiting. And waiting. I asked my aunts what I could do to make them cook faster. They said: “Turn up the heat.” I laughed and told them about how our German roommate made incredibly tasty meals. His secret was to add fat and salt. So. I told them, the secret to cooking for 17 or more people was to: Add fat. Add salt. And turn up the heat!!
This phrase became the tagline for the whole holiday and, now, I think it is the secret recipe for a happy life:
How do you cook for 17 or more people? Add fat. Add salt. Turn up the heat.
If you are asked to comment on your holiday in the guest book at the visitor’s information centre in Dawson City, Yukon on a rather blustery, cloudy, misty day, what would you say? Add fat. Add salt. Turn up the heat!
How do you make a 40-year marriage work? Add fat. Add salt. Turn up the heat!
About the author: Jen Burke
Travel & experience designer, editor, foodie, digital professional
Mother of two boys, #SEOnerd, foodie, traveller. Fun fact: I grew up at Mile 906.8 Alaska Highway, Yukon, Canada.
I love food & wine & being outdoors. Edible Switzerland is my passion project. Here I want to connect food lovers (locals and tourists) to the best resources we can find anywhere in Switzerland.
When I’m not working on Edible Switzerland or moderating the Foodies in Switzerland group or the #SwisswineLovers group, I have a digital concierge agency with a few clients all over the world.