When I became a first-time mom at age 41, to a 13 year old, it was a huge challenge to go from 20 years as a singleton to being a mom to a child who spoke no English. I tried making Russian foods [borscht, black bread, seerniki] but of course they didn't taste as good as what she was used to. I was accustomed to eating something like a can of soup for dinner, or cheese and crackers. I wanted to feed my child better, so I learned how to really cook, for a family. Six months after bringing her home I bought a house and Mom moved in with us, so I had my teacher right there, which helped.
I was blessed to be raised by a mother who loved to cook and who encouraged me and my brother to get in the kitchen and experiment. My dad loved to cook, too, but his repertoire was limited to mostly breakfast foods and putting meat on the grill. That's okay -- he had two brothers whose wives were such terrific cooks their husbands had no idea how to do anything in the kitchen. My mom's attitude was not "stay out of my way" but "go for it!"
I think every recipe in What's for Dinner, Mom? has a little anecdote or story. That's what makes a cookbook interesting, to me. I want to know how you discovered the recipe, or did you make it up yourself? Did your great aunt refuse to give out the cookie recipe and your aunt finally figure it out? Will your child eat this and no other veggie?!
Years ago [long before Amazon made it easy] I helped Mom write a cookbook, and we just got copies made at Kinko's. Family and friends liked it a lot. You can still sometimes find copies floating around out there of Elva's Blue Scallop Cookbook. My aunt sold it for a while at her store in Myrtle Beach.
If you've been reading my blog for a while you know I write about food, a lot. When I care about someone I love to cook for them. Making someone happy with food is my "love language."
In these weird and difficult days, we are staying home more, cooking more, and hopefully loving on our families more!
Check out my book today.
It's only $8 so buy copies for friends!
