My mother used to make this, and it was delicious.

Even if the original recipe is long gone, our taste buds remember. And trying to recreate it — even imperfectly — keeps that memory alive.

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## 🧾 A Recipe Recreated

While the exact dish might vary from person to person, here’s a timeless example of a beloved “mom-made” classic — the kind that makes you pause, smile, and say:

> **“She used to make this, and it was perfect every time.”**

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### 🥘 **Old-Fashioned Chicken and Rice Bake (Just Like Mom’s)**

**Ingredients:**

* 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
* 1 can cream of mushroom soup
* 1 can cream of chicken soup
* 1 ½ cups water or chicken broth
* 1 tsp garlic powder
* 1 tsp onion powder
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts
* Paprika (for color)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large baking dish, mix rice, soups, water, and seasonings.
3. Nestle the chicken on top of the mixture. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
5. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until chicken is golden and rice is tender.

**Optional additions:** frozen peas, sliced mushrooms, or shredded cheese in the last 10 minutes.

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## ❤️ Cooking with Memory

Making an old family recipe is about more than feeding yourself — it’s a way to **honor the past**. Even if you put your own twist on it, you’re still keeping that tradition alive, one dish at a time.

So go ahead. Find that yellowed recipe card, or call up someone who might remember.
**Recreate the magic. Serve it hot. And don’t forget to say the words:**
**“My mother used to make this, and it was delicious.”**

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**Want to share your memory or recipe?** Tag it with **#JustLikeMomMade** — we’d love to feature your story.