Mother's Day is approaching, and it is not only a day to spend time with your mom, grandmother, or wife, but also to remember and reminisce.
As a child, my Mom was the biggest influence on my life and upbringing. Being a single parent of four children for many years, she persevered through many of life's obstacles to ensure a suitable developmental environment for all of us. There are many examples of her dedication to motherhood, but the fire of culinary aspirations that she fueled within me is something that I am forever grateful for.
Ever since I can remember, she was always there to offer me a spot beside her in the kitchen. While other boys my age were involved in various sports activities, my idea of a team was right there in our home. Still to this day, I can almost hear the scuffing of the old wooden footstool as I dragged it across the floor. There I would stand upon the flour-dusted crevices as she secured my apron readying me for our next culinary adventure.
Many of our kitchen conversations were a journey back in time. Descriptive adventures of what life was like when she was a child, were what I loved the most. Her parents migrated to Canada from Germany in the early 1930's and they worked the land as farmers in Saskatche-wan. Stories of the brutally cold winters and how most of their meals came from their crops and the pigs that they raised always kept me captivated.
As a child, she too was always by her mom's side in the kitchen. It was there that she gained the culinary skills that were passed on to me. Many of the meals that I was exposed to as a child were influenced by not only her German heritage, but also by the underprivileged lifestyle of fortuneless farmers. Creative simplicity was always the focus as we transformed everyday ingredients into something incredible. Some of the most memorable foods for me that stimulate thoughts of my childhood are rice pudding, cherry soup, and sugared milk bread slices.
'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach', but it is also the way to many great memories. Thank you Mom for the laughter, the tears, the guidance, and the years. You are always on my mind.
Dear Chef Dez:
I want to do something special for my wife on Mother's day. We usually go out for brunch every year, but this time I want to do something at home. Any suggestions?
James F.,Abbotsford, BC
Dear James:
How about you and the kids prepare breakfast in bed for her? With a few extras and thoughtful ideas, breakfast in bed can be very special and meaningful. Here a few examples of what you can add to the breakfast tray along with her favorite breakfast: a cloth napkin, candles, small vase with a flower, her favorite section of the newspaper, a hand written note tied with a ribbon, a side of toast cut into heart shapes, and all the extras like coffee, tea, juice, and ice water. Most importantly, don't forget to garnish her breakfast. Mint leaves with slices of colourful fruit works very well or also add a sprinkle of cinnamon and icing sugar if appropriate. If serving juice, it can also be beautifully garnished with a slice of orange on the rim of a wine glass and frozen cranberries as ice cubes.
Send your food/cooking questions to [email protected] or P.O. Box 2674, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6R4
Chef Dez is a Food Columnist, Culinary Instructor & Cooking Show Performer. Visit him at www.chefdez.com
The next "Chef Dez on Cooking" column will appear May 12/11.
