Do you ever taste something or spot an ingredient on a supermarket shelf and instantly find yourself transported back to a different chapter of your life?
Perhaps it’s beans on toast after a busy day at primary school, tinned fruit and cream as a treat after swimming lessons, or the tuna sweetcorn pasta that fuelled countless evenings at university. Whatever that memory may be, food has a remarkable way of connecting, and canned food is no exception.
CANbassador and TV chef and author Theo Michaels, has spent years celebrating great food and the stories that come with it, so he’s shared three memorable ingredients that bring him back to key stages in his life.
Peas – the student staple
For Theo, a humble can of peas brings back university days. Cooking was all about creating filling, affordable meals with whatever was available in the cupboard. Easy to store and quick to prepare, peas became Theo’s reliable ingredient that could be added to everything from pasta to stir fry, always on hand to liven up
Fruit cocktail for school-day treats
Another ingredient that takes Theo back is canned fruit cocktail. Just like many households, it was a familiar pudding cupboard staple, and for Theo it brings back memories of school days and simple treats enjoyed after a busy day. Sweet, colourful and ready to eat straight from the can, fruit cocktail remains a convenient way to add fruit to desserts, breakfasts and snacks.
Condensed milk on toast
One of Theo’s quirkier food memories is condensed milk drizzled over toast. A simple treat that his mum would make, it reminds him of cosy mornings at home and the little family traditions that often become our strongest food memories. Sweet, creamy and made from just milk and sugar, canned condensed milk has long been a cupboard staple, finding its way into everything from baking and desserts to comforting snacks. For Theo, it is a reminder that some of the best meals are often the simplest.
The ingredients tucked in our cupboards can spark memories, tell stories and reconnect us with important moments in our lives. Whether it’s a tin of peas, fruit cocktail or a can of condensed milk, these everyday staples continue to play a role in kitchens across the UK, helping to create new memories while reminding us of the ones that came before.
