Memories of grandmother's cooking are warm, inviting, sustaining and comforting but most people have not taken the time to preserve their family's favorite recipes. As a result, many treasured recipes are lost to the fast-food generation 'overtaken by pizza delivery, eating out and convenience foods. Kitchen Memories aims to slow that trend down with a lovingly compiled collection of 120 family recipes from 25 countries' handed down from one generation to the next and gathered from families and cooks. The authors, leaders in the Slow Food movement, have interviewed hundreds of people who have shared their most precious recipes, the ones they want to pass on to their children and grandchildren. The process of talking about family recipes triggered many happy memories for the book's contributors, and as such, each recipe includes detailed homespun cooking tips and sidebars rich with personal stories of family and food.Twenty-five countries are featured including the U.S. and some of its distinctive regional and ethnic cuisines. Pages at the end of the book are provided for cooks to preserve their own favorite recipes, thoughts, tips, photos, and memories. The authors have tested all 120 recipes. A helpful glossary and appendix offering a brief sketch of each culture are included.Here is a sample recipe: Sample this recipe from "Kitchen Memories": Bolivian Corn CasseroleHUMITAKarla Montano and her sister, Vivian Lawson, own and operate a restaurant called Luna Maya, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Although Montano has always been the passionate, creative cook in her family, she believes cooking for large family gatherings requires easy-to-make, simple recipes that taste fabulous. Therefore, the old family standbys are always appreciated. Humita is a traditional Bolivian dish consisting of fresh corn and cheese. To betruly authentic, it should be steamed inside a corn husk. However, there are many variations, dependingon the region and the cook. Montano says that using fresh corn provides a better flavor, but when corn is out of season and you are pressed for time, frozen corn kernels are an acceptable substitute.Masa mix-a corn flour product for making tortillas, tamales, and other products-is readily available in many supermarkets: check where flour products are displayed. The filling calls for a crumbly cheese such as the Mexican queso fresco or the Italian ricotta salata. If neither of these is available, try the mozzarella, grated. For a richer filling, increase the amount of cheese. For an effect resembling creme brulee, sprinkle sugar over the top layer and let the heat melt it into the mixture.1/2 cup granulated sugar1/2 cup masa mix1/4 cup cornbread mix2 teaspoons salt1 teaspoon mild ground red pepper, such as New Mexico Red or paprika1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon chipotle powder, or other chili powder1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1 (2-pound) bag frozen corn kernels, thawed and drained1/4 pound (1 stick) butter, melted1 pound grated crumbly cheese, such as queso frescoPreheat the oven to 400F. Butter a 3-quart ovenproof baking dish. Mix the sugar, masa mix, cornbread mix, salt, ground red pepper, cinnamon, chipotle powder, and ground cumin together in a large bowl.Put the corn kernels in a food processor, and process until finely chopped. Mix the corn with the dry ingredients. Stir in the butter until fully incorporated.Spoon half the mixture into the baking dish. Spread three-quarters of the cheese filling over the mixture. Spoon the remaining mixture over the cheese. Top with the remaining grated cheese.Bake about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Serve hot.Serves 8.