As my brother and dad mentioned in their posts, I wanted to share some of our favorite recipes with you yesterday to celebrate my mom's birthday.
While I enjoyed their food as a child, I'm not sure I realized how lucky I was to eat such high-quality, nutritious food until I got older.
As much as I enjoyed eating her food, I loved cooking with her even more. Some of my fondest childhood memories include making these recipes and so much more.
As soon as I left the house, I always looked forward to visiting her at home and joining her in various time-consuming tasks in the kitchen. Cooking and baking continue to be a constant source of joy for me to this day and I am so grateful that my mother awakened these passions in me.
I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do!
Chicken Parmesan
It was a staple in our household throughout my childhood and a true classic. With cheesy goodness, rich chicken protein, and delicious sauce, this dish always delivers. My favorite meal of hers.
Double chocolate cherry cookies
My favorite desert. My mom made these every time I came home to visit. The rich chocolate and cherry flavors are a perfect combination.
Pro tip: Soak the cherries in Grand Marnier overnight before baking the cookies to intensify the flavor.
Chandet
It was because of this charoset that I looked forward to Passover every year. As soon as I moved out, my mother sent me jars of it so I could still have some. They never lasted long as one glass could be considered a normal serving for me.
Apple sauce
My mother always taught us the value of simple, fresh meals. This dish is as simple as it gets, but it beats store-bought applesauce. I still feel the excitement I had as a child when the smell of cooking apples wafted through the house.
Kale with cranberries
I really like eating kale. Raw, sautéed, baked – I enjoy all forms. This dish is my earliest memory of kale. This simple and delicious dish sparked a lifelong love.
lemonade
This was a summer staple at our house, but also an early lesson in entrepreneurship. Every summer my mother took us to the store to get lots of lemons and ice. We mixed up batches of this lemonade and put it on our street corner with a sign. “Lemonade, 25 cents!” we shouted as we tried to sell refreshments and chocolate chip cookies to our neighbors.
Raw fudge
I haven't had this recipe in a long time, but the post embodies everything that made my mother so great. She taught kids to cook, was a baseball coach – she was always on a mission to spread joy and find ways to be involved in our lives.
Pear clafoutis
This is one of the first desserts I remember making. We continued to make and enjoy it over the years as it was one of her favorite dishes. And yes, the rumors are true. As a child, I loved screaming “Clafoutis” over and over again (and maybe I still do).
Happy birthday, mom! I really wish we could spend time in the kitchen making some of your favorite dishes, but I find solace in celebrating the joy you have brought to me and so many others through food.
love always,
–
J
