In honor of my mom's 58th birthday yesterday, my brother, dad, and I wanted to share some of our favorite recipes from her.
These meals, treats and snacks remind me of the delights my mother has provided for our family over the years and shared with all of you.
I am so grateful to have had Elana as my mother, and I hope you too celebrate the ways she has contributed to your life.
Cinnamon coffee cake
This Cinnamon Coffee Cake was a treat that my mother made often while I was in high school and on numerous occasions after I returned from college. It was always incredibly tasty and just right.
BBQ kale chips
These kale chips have always had an elusive quality. They never lasted more than a few hours after baking. While working on an organic vegetable farm for the past few years, I have had access to an abundance of kale. So my mom mixed up a jar of spice and sent it in the mail so I could enjoy this delicious snack.
Butternut squash soup
I've loved pumpkin since I was little and this butternut squash soup takes me back to the days of my childhood when my skin turned orange from eating so many orange foods.
Chipotle Orange Chicken
Around the time I was in middle school, this chipotle orange chicken was my favorite meal. Something about the spicy-sweet combination always excited my taste buds. Like many of my mother's recipes, this one highlights the brilliance of simplicity.
Cream Cheese Frosting
To this day, I eat my mother's cream cheese frosting straight from the jar. It tastes incredible on carrot cake and takes pancakes to a whole new level.
While I feel great sadness over my mother's death, I also feel great gratitude. She created a fulfilling life for our family and left us all with so many delicious treasures. If you feel like it, feel free to share your favorite recipe(s) in the comments below.
-E
