With upcoming school breaks and even more togetherness on the way, now is the perfect time for families to broaden culinary horizons and celebrate traditions, both new and old.

Most parents know the benefits of eating together as a family: healthier kids, better school results, and improved self-esteem, among others. What’s most intriguing to me, though, is why we hold family food traditions in such high regard: because these rituals serve up so much more than just family favorites—they help shape kids’ identities and keep cultural and generational ties alive.

For example, my husband’s recipe for "Cowboy Stew" (basically, ground beef, an assortment of canned beans and veggies, plus a packet of taco seasoning … shh) is a