Showing posts with label mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mom. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Hittin the Motherload

Last weekend was Mother's Day. A few years ago, my favorite mom moved away from her favorite daughter (sniff). As her only human child (there are furry ones as well), this holiday is starred, highlighted, bold and set up with both 1- and 2-week reminders on my calendar so that I don't miss it (this is why I'm her favorite daughter -- lucky her). Babs also has the same situation with her lovely and sweet mother (Hi Mrs. Robinson!). We only-children with single parents have a lot of pressure and guilt (and we understand how important it is), so we try and do our best. It helps that we have awesome moms.

Anyway, my mom has a food itch like I've never known. Most sweets and desserts just don't cut it. No pie, no cake, no cobblers or cookies. No no.. Chocolate *only* please. She's not just any average chocoholic. If it doesn't include DARK CHOCOLATE, then she puts down her eating utensil and steps away from the table. It's just not worth it. And it HAS to be dark chocolate. Milk and whatever that "white" stuff claims to be (puh-lease) is just not good enough. As one who likes to cook, I know that I better make the dessert with dark chocolate unless I plan on eating alone.

Lucky for her, she makes this so well known to everyone (she's not much of a hinter), that I decided to bake up some Chewy Brownies (uncopyrighted free version) for Mother's Day to send to her. This recipe has been twice recommended to me, even from a source who claims to be 'picky about my chocolate.' Well, ok then. Plus, it's a Cooks recipe, so I have a fairly good chance of success. And they are SO FREAKING GOOD and easy to make (hellllooo sugar!) that I'll definitely be making these again.

I also decided to make some sugar scrub labeled as Gardener's Soap. Fun and easy. I sent that along with a pretty silver spoon with the word 'mom' inscribed on it.

Oh, and one more thing was in that big box o' love. A rag rug I crocheted from fabric to match her new red decor kitchen. Now this one took a long time to make and I butted up against the mail deadline a little too close for comfort (the night before I had to send it). However, I think it looks great and was worth all the effort. Even Rob ripped some of the fabric strips for me. Colby made sure many of the fabric balls had a loop or two around the living room (in his mouth), and even the cat took a nap atop it. What a great gift. Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Gobble-ing Down the Turkey Meatloaf

I think that I've made meatloaf once... and it was a *long* time ago. I'm sure it was fine. My mom always makes really delicious meatloaf -- it's topped with bacon afterall. So seeing as how I've been a pretty healthy cook, there was no reason to try and top mom's ridiculously tasty, although maybe not-as-healthy, recipe. Why ruin that happy memory?

Since I am now with a man who appreciates a good meatloaf every now and then (especially after a hard day of skiing, poor boy), I decided to venture out and try a healthier version of my mom's. The portion in the photo is clearly mine (skiers need larger helpings). I haven't eaten meatloaf in quite awhile since I now cook do most, if not all, of the cooking for mom whenever we're together, but this version was really good. I'll make it again. Let's just say that I think that Mom would love it.

Mom's Turkey Meatloaf from Ellie's Krieger's book The Food You Crave. I recently borrowed this book from the library because it's won two of the biggest cookbook awards - both the James Beard and IACP for 2009. Impressive. I admit to only having watched her on Food Network just once, but I've been intrigued by her healthy cooking and down-to-earth personality for quite some time. I also appreciate that each recipe includes nutritional information.