Dish of Discord Turns Family Dinner Awkward

I brought a dish from my late mom’s recipes to my in-laws’ family dinner. As I set it on the table, my MIL gave me a harsh look and said, “Get your mother’s food out of my house!” In tears, I left and waited for my husband in the car for an hour. The ride home was silent until he suddenly burst out laughing and said… “I told her you’d bring that recipe, and she bet she could scare you off with her glare. Looks like she won this round!” I couldn’t believe it

—his laughter revealed it was a prank. Relieved but annoyed, I smacked his arm, and we both chuckled. Later, we agreed to avoid such pranks, and I’d bring the dish again, daring MIL to accept it. The next dinner, she smiled, tasting it, and admitted it was delicious. Family tensions eased, and my mom’s recipe found a new home.