Mom, Dad, Aunt Dee, Terry and Great, great Aunt Concetta
Recnetly I was asked to write about my Mom and her amazing recipes for Food52, the editors wanted to post just prior to Mothers Day and the article would appear in Food52’s Heirloom Recipies. Writing about Mom is easy but it’s difficult to reign myself in, I can get long winded. My Mother is and will always be my hero. She is an awesome cook, she created some great recipes that I use all the time. She is a great multi tasker, I honestly don’t know how she managed to make everything look effortless but she did, taking care of 5 kids, always have a great meal on the table, the house was always neat and clean. Looking back I am amazed at how she did it all. Mom is a cancer survivor, she was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast cancer, this somewhat rare form of cancer presents in a stage 3 or 4 and is very aggressive and hard to treat. She was given only a short time to live and underwent chemo, radical surgery and radiation and I am thrilled and happy to report that she defied the odds and almost 10 years after diagnosis she is still cancer free.
My Mom and Me
She is the inspiration for just about everything I cook. She mastered Italian food, her homemade pasta and pasta e fagiole was legendary. She is also a great baker, one the the most popular recipes that I added to Food52 is her Tender Yellow Cake. it’s amazing and the only yellow cake I will make. Let’s talk meatballs, hers were tender and flavorful, she also made a great pie, my particular favorite was blackberry.
My Mother does not live close to me but if she did I would give her breakfast in bed and would serve her what she used to make for us when she made breakfast for dinner, a stack of pancakes with a fried egg on top smothered in warm maple syrup and butter. It’s so good, and every time I have this it takes me back to my childhood.
pancakes and fried egg
A very Happy Mothers Day to all of you whether you have children or not we celebrate women, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother or pet parent whatever your role you are important and loved.
Mothers
I have a confession to make. I’m not a foodie, I’m not obsessed with food and cooking and I’ve never photographed a meal in a restaurant. However, I firmly believe that sitting down to a meal with family or friends should be a normal, everyday activity; that lunch should never be snatched at a desk and that, given a good set of instructions, everybody can cook.
Hello everyone!
apuginthekitchen 