The only thing wrong with it was that there were never any leftovers.

Unfortunately, Nan died seven years ago, before I mastered her recipe, but I can still remember eating dinner at her house like it was yesterday.

On the anniversary of her death this month it got me thinking of all the wonderful things she made for my brother and me that we loved - neenish tarts, caramel sauce, ice-cream, gramma (pumpkin) pie, rhubarb pie and Anzac biscuits among others.

But the only thing I did learn how to cook was her boiled Christmas pudding which Mum and I now make once a year.

You can always spot those people who were born to cook and those (like me) who probably shouldnt be left alone in the kitchen.

I'm pretty sure my boyfriend's mum was born with a wooden spoon in her hand.

She is the queen of desserts and has told me stories about old friends who were very tight lipped about the meals they had mastered and refused to share their recipes.

I don't think my nan would ever have kept a recipe to herself, so I have always regretted not asking her for them.

Not just because I miss her meatloaf but because it would have been nice to let her know how much I loved her cooking.

And I would have loved to pass her secrets down through the generations of our family.

This is why I wanted to publish some of our shires best kept secrets in a new column called Shire Recipes.

In the coming months I hope to get a recipe from the mayor, business leaders and other locals who are willing to share.

This week there's a traditional banana bread recipe from Annie Summers of Picton.

Perhaps you have a similar recipe that you would like to share, or an old favourite you could dust off and send in?

If anything, I hope this column can be a reminder that there's no time like the present to learn the tricks of the trade, because one day it will be too late.

I wish I had spent more time with my nan in the kitchen.

Send your recipes to 123 Argyle Street, Picton, or email mfenech@mail.fairfax.com.au.