Mom Kitchen
Showing posts with label Mom Kitchen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mom Kitchen. Show all posts
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, February 1, 2010
O'clock Mom KitchenThursday, January 28, 2010
Mom Kitchen
Baking Tips – 5 Lessons Learned In Mom's Kitchen
By Jill Borash Platinum Quality Author
1. Good baking requires patience. If you try to rush it, you will end up with a mess. A good cake, pie, cookie, the list goes on and on, cannot be rushed. Things tend to turn out half-baked (yes, literally) or so badly that they are not edible. People tend to frown at you when serve them burnt cookies. (Hey, at least I tried.)
2. You do not have to always follow the recipe. I have started to learn to cook and bake by feel and taste more than by following a recipe. If you do not like one thing that is in the recipe but you do like everything else that is in it, take out the thing you do not like. I tend to add more of things I like into a recipe (chocolate) and take out things I don’t (not chocolate). I have been known to add double the amount of chocolate chips to a cookie recipe and omit the nuts entirely. (Really, who needs all those nuts getting in the way of a good chocolate chip cookie!)
3. The devil is in the details. Little things like adding ingredients in the proper order can make all the difference. I have learned from very painful experience that putting the ingredients in the wrong way can easily ruin a baking recipe. The baking powder has to go in before you put it in the oven. (Who knew?)
4. It does not have to be complicated to taste good. Some of the best baking recipes that my mom ever made were ones that had five ingredients or less. If you are like me and do not have the patience to squeeze a million tiny dots onto a cake in order to make pretty frosting, it is nice to know that I can make something that is simpler and still tastes good. (Anyone have a recipe for dipable (yes, I just made up that word) frosting? Lets skip that whole thing of having to frost the cake entirely.)
5. Always mix in some love. I am convinced that this is why store bought sweets never taste as good as homemade ones. Machines do not know how to inject this special ingredient. All baking recipes at the very minimum need at least one cup of love to be any good at all.
I wish you all happy baking with lots of love baked in!
By Jill Borash Platinum Quality Author
1. Good baking requires patience. If you try to rush it, you will end up with a mess. A good cake, pie, cookie, the list goes on and on, cannot be rushed. Things tend to turn out half-baked (yes, literally) or so badly that they are not edible. People tend to frown at you when serve them burnt cookies. (Hey, at least I tried.)2. You do not have to always follow the recipe. I have started to learn to cook and bake by feel and taste more than by following a recipe. If you do not like one thing that is in the recipe but you do like everything else that is in it, take out the thing you do not like. I tend to add more of things I like into a recipe (chocolate) and take out things I don’t (not chocolate). I have been known to add double the amount of chocolate chips to a cookie recipe and omit the nuts entirely. (Really, who needs all those nuts getting in the way of a good chocolate chip cookie!)
3. The devil is in the details. Little things like adding ingredients in the proper order can make all the difference. I have learned from very painful experience that putting the ingredients in the wrong way can easily ruin a baking recipe. The baking powder has to go in before you put it in the oven. (Who knew?)4. It does not have to be complicated to taste good. Some of the best baking recipes that my mom ever made were ones that had five ingredients or less. If you are like me and do not have the patience to squeeze a million tiny dots onto a cake in order to make pretty frosting, it is nice to know that I can make something that is simpler and still tastes good. (Anyone have a recipe for dipable (yes, I just made up that word) frosting? Lets skip that whole thing of having to frost the cake entirely.)5. Always mix in some love. I am convinced that this is why store bought sweets never taste as good as homemade ones. Machines do not know how to inject this special ingredient. All baking recipes at the very minimum need at least one cup of love to be any good at all.
I wish you all happy baking with lots of love baked in!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Mom Kitchen
A Little Gift of Appreciation For Your Mom
By Kate Adams
Giving a present for your Mom may be one of the most difficult things for a person. Aside from it is difficult to find a perfect gift for anybody; you know that a gift for your mom should be something extra ordinary. It should be able to match the appreciation that you have for your mother but most of the time you are limited in money and time to search for the suitable gift.
One of the choices for you would be to search through the mall and find a little kitchen utensil that your mother will probably use. Although a lot of people might think that this can be a perfect gift since moms are known to spend more time in the kitchen, this can be too typical.
Now you see your mom wearing classic clothing and you might wonder how to add a little design to your mom's look without getting too much attention. This is where you can think of a jewelry that can augment your mom's look while keeping the classic aura.
An engraved mother bracelet can be a gift that your mom would not commonly get but this is something that your mother would like to receive. You will only have to make sure that you pick the right design so that your mom's personality would match the bracelet that you are going to buy for her and to ensure that your mom would wear them often. This kind of gift is something that your mom can use and appreciate a little more than a plain kitchen utensil that you will find in the malls.
Aside from the bracelets, you can also find some engraved mother necklaces to match and complete your mom's shape. It will enhance the everyday look of your mom while reminding her that this little gift is something that can show her your love. You would know that something special and unique would also be the perfect gift for someone who is equally special.
With the engraved mother bracelets and necklaces, you will be able to show your thoughtfulness as well as your own personality while matching the taste of your mom. You will have to pick the design that you think suits your mom and you can also put the name of your mom or any symbol that will make the jewelry piece more personalized.
Most of the necklaces that you will find at the malls are alluring indeed. However, the appeal of the personalized engraved mother necklaces and bracelets have are more likely to be appreciated. Moms are special and this little gift can relay to her what you feel.
Aside from giving these gifts to your mother, the designs of the necklaces can also be perfect gifts for your friends or even to yourself. The key would be to find the design that can match your character and the engravings would do the trick in making it more personalized. The detail of the gift is something that you can play on and you can make use of your imagination to end up with the jewelry that can show your character.
By Kate Adams
Giving a present for your Mom may be one of the most difficult things for a person. Aside from it is difficult to find a perfect gift for anybody; you know that a gift for your mom should be something extra ordinary. It should be able to match the appreciation that you have for your mother but most of the time you are limited in money and time to search for the suitable gift.
One of the choices for you would be to search through the mall and find a little kitchen utensil that your mother will probably use. Although a lot of people might think that this can be a perfect gift since moms are known to spend more time in the kitchen, this can be too typical.Now you see your mom wearing classic clothing and you might wonder how to add a little design to your mom's look without getting too much attention. This is where you can think of a jewelry that can augment your mom's look while keeping the classic aura.An engraved mother bracelet can be a gift that your mom would not commonly get but this is something that your mother would like to receive. You will only have to make sure that you pick the right design so that your mom's personality would match the bracelet that you are going to buy for her and to ensure that your mom would wear them often. This kind of gift is something that your mom can use and appreciate a little more than a plain kitchen utensil that you will find in the malls.
Aside from the bracelets, you can also find some engraved mother necklaces to match and complete your mom's shape. It will enhance the everyday look of your mom while reminding her that this little gift is something that can show her your love. You would know that something special and unique would also be the perfect gift for someone who is equally special.With the engraved mother bracelets and necklaces, you will be able to show your thoughtfulness as well as your own personality while matching the taste of your mom. You will have to pick the design that you think suits your mom and you can also put the name of your mom or any symbol that will make the jewelry piece more personalized.
Most of the necklaces that you will find at the malls are alluring indeed. However, the appeal of the personalized engraved mother necklaces and bracelets have are more likely to be appreciated. Moms are special and this little gift can relay to her what you feel.
Aside from giving these gifts to your mother, the designs of the necklaces can also be perfect gifts for your friends or even to yourself. The key would be to find the design that can match your character and the engravings would do the trick in making it more personalized. The detail of the gift is something that you can play on and you can make use of your imagination to end up with the jewelry that can show your character.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Mom Kitchen
Kitchen Secrets - The Tool You Shouldn't Do Without
By Martin Richardson
There is something to be said for collecting kitchen tools. My mother cannot throw any gadget away! Needless to say, the drawers are so full of tools that you can't even open them. Then, when you wiggle the drawer open, you have to empty half of the drawer to even see what's in there....and there's no way you can get them all to fit back in after you're finished! Can you relate? But I digress. The most important tool in your kitchen is a knife.
After 27 years of chopping, slicing and dicing around the globe, and owning two dozen assorted knives...I have a suggestion for you regarding the most important tool in your kitchen drawer. My mom has a knife drawer, which you enter at your own risk, because knives are pointing in both directions and some of the blades are facing up! On the other side of the kitchen is a knife block filled with a knife set, most likely purchased for a Mother's Day long gone by. Enough bustin' on my Mom's kitchen! The point of this article is to tell you that it only takes three really good knives to perform most kitchen jobs. And "really good" in this instance, does NOT mean really expensive!
I want to discuss the "anatomy" of a knife, so you can comparison shop, or evaluate your own collection. Let's start with the most important part of the knife...the blade. The most common types of metal used in kitchen knives today are carbon steel, stainless steel and high carbon stainless steel. Carbon steel is a composite metal that is typically inexpensive, holds a good edge and is easy to sharpen. The downside is that they can rust and chemically react to acidic foods and onions, which means they are high maintenance. Stainless steel blades are more difficult to sharpen, and tend not to hold the edge as long as carbon steel, but they will not stain or corrode. Taking the best characteristics of both materials, and combining them, led to the high carbon stainless steel knife. It does not rust or corrode and can be easily honed to a razor's edge. So, when you shop for your first, or your next set of knives, remember that the quality of the knife blade is of primary importance.
The second distinction to note about knife blades, is whether they are forged or stamped. Forged blades are made by heating up the metals, molding, and pounding it into the shape of a knife, then it's ground and sharpened. The stamped or machined blades are cut out of sheet of metal and ground into the shape of a knife, and then heated. So what's the difference? Forged blades are more substantial, better balanced, hold an edge longer, but cost more. Stamped blades are lighter, and inexpensive, but need more frequent sharpening. The difference extends through to the handle too.
Forged blades have a "tang", which extends to the end of the handle and is typically secured by three rivets. It also has a "bloster", which is a thick finger guard where the blade meets the handle. These two features help to balance the knife and contributes to the overall weight of the knife. With repeated sharpening, the blade is worn down, but the bolster remains unaffected, meaning half of the blade no longer makes contact with the cutting surface. Stamped blades typically don't run the length of the handle and some times the attachment loosens causing problems. They also have no bolster, which is why they are lighter and less balanced. Without the bolster, the entire blade can be sharpened.
With regards to the handles, size does matter! If you have dainty little hands or large bear claws, chosing the right handle is a matter of preference. I suggest you pick up the knife before you buy it online. It may not have the shape that fits your hand comfortably. Sanitation and resistance to water are two more considerations. Time for a quick rant on how to wash your knife! Although most knives are made to be dishwasher safe, I recommend that you hand wash them for three reasons. First, the agitation of the dishwasher exposes the blade to potential damage. Second, the high temperature and humidity inside the dishwasher may eventually cause the handle to separate from the blade, and the third reason is safety related. Dishwasher features vary between machines, but often, there is no place dedicated for this purpose. Also, be sure the knife is NSF(National Science Foundation) certified, which means it is safe to use and has passed sanitation standards.
The single most important knife is your Chef's knife (or Cook's knife, or French knife). This one knife, properly handled, can be used on 9 out of 10 cutting jobs from chopping delicate herbs, to that juicy onion that brings tears to your eyes, to butchering bones for homemade stock. The second, is an all purpose paring knife. This smaller knife has a much shorter blade of 4 inches or less. There are many jobs in the kitchen that require more detail and knife control like peeling round fruits and vegetables, segmenting citrus, and deveining shrimp. The blade is also more flexible than a chef's knife. The third, is a serrated, or bread knife. This is the highly specialized knife of the group. Due to its saw-like blade, they always seem to be sharp. The wavy cutting edges create multiple surfaces which are equally effective for cutting through the crusty exterior of a loaf of bread as well as the soft interior. Tomato and eggplant skins can also be particularly challenging to conventional blades if your knife is slightly dull.
There are many other specialty knives that you can buy, but most of them are specifically for meat processing. A boning knife, for instance, has a long, thin flexible blade that is useful for cutting through joints, trimming silverskin, and separating flesh from the bones. Slicing, or carving knives make it easy to carve thin slices from large roasts. Cleavers are generally used for processing bones for making stock.
Now, being a professional chef, I tended to buy very substantial, expensive, imported blades by Wustof, Henckels and Tojiro. No one was allowed to use my knives, as most cost more than $100 each and I have owned some of them for more than twenty years. Over the years, I have used countless numbers of brands and styles of knives, and I'm passing on what I've learned to you.
There are four basic factors to consider. First, how much money are you willing to spend on kitchen tools. Second, how much use will the knife get and on what types of food? Third, will you sharpen your knives regularly and what will you use to do that? Finally, how does the knife feel in your hand? Obviously, these questions suggest that buying the most important tool in your kitchen comes down to your choice! If on the other hand, you think that is a cop out...
My recommendation to you, is to buy a trio of Forschner Fibrox knives, a Chef, a Paring, and a Bread knife. All three of these knives can be purchased for less than $70 total. They have been highly rated by Cook's Illustrated magazine and they are commonly used in many commercial kitchens. The handles are slip resistant, even when wet. The blades are stamped out of high carbon stainless steel. They are certified by the National Science Foundation, and they come with a lifetime guarantee. They would be a great choice if you are just starting out, or don't want to spend a small fortune. I love my "high end" knives, but that comes down to what I'm used to. Buy the best knife you're willing to afford that has the right feel, then learn how to clean, sharpen, and otherwise, care for it, because if my Mother's kitchen drawer is any indication...you could own that knife for the rest of your life!
By Martin Richardson
There is something to be said for collecting kitchen tools. My mother cannot throw any gadget away! Needless to say, the drawers are so full of tools that you can't even open them. Then, when you wiggle the drawer open, you have to empty half of the drawer to even see what's in there....and there's no way you can get them all to fit back in after you're finished! Can you relate? But I digress. The most important tool in your kitchen is a knife.After 27 years of chopping, slicing and dicing around the globe, and owning two dozen assorted knives...I have a suggestion for you regarding the most important tool in your kitchen drawer. My mom has a knife drawer, which you enter at your own risk, because knives are pointing in both directions and some of the blades are facing up! On the other side of the kitchen is a knife block filled with a knife set, most likely purchased for a Mother's Day long gone by. Enough bustin' on my Mom's kitchen! The point of this article is to tell you that it only takes three really good knives to perform most kitchen jobs. And "really good" in this instance, does NOT mean really expensive!I want to discuss the "anatomy" of a knife, so you can comparison shop, or evaluate your own collection. Let's start with the most important part of the knife...the blade. The most common types of metal used in kitchen knives today are carbon steel, stainless steel and high carbon stainless steel. Carbon steel is a composite metal that is typically inexpensive, holds a good edge and is easy to sharpen. The downside is that they can rust and chemically react to acidic foods and onions, which means they are high maintenance. Stainless steel blades are more difficult to sharpen, and tend not to hold the edge as long as carbon steel, but they will not stain or corrode. Taking the best characteristics of both materials, and combining them, led to the high carbon stainless steel knife. It does not rust or corrode and can be easily honed to a razor's edge. So, when you shop for your first, or your next set of knives, remember that the quality of the knife blade is of primary importance.
The second distinction to note about knife blades, is whether they are forged or stamped. Forged blades are made by heating up the metals, molding, and pounding it into the shape of a knife, then it's ground and sharpened. The stamped or machined blades are cut out of sheet of metal and ground into the shape of a knife, and then heated. So what's the difference? Forged blades are more substantial, better balanced, hold an edge longer, but cost more. Stamped blades are lighter, and inexpensive, but need more frequent sharpening. The difference extends through to the handle too.Forged blades have a "tang", which extends to the end of the handle and is typically secured by three rivets. It also has a "bloster", which is a thick finger guard where the blade meets the handle. These two features help to balance the knife and contributes to the overall weight of the knife. With repeated sharpening, the blade is worn down, but the bolster remains unaffected, meaning half of the blade no longer makes contact with the cutting surface. Stamped blades typically don't run the length of the handle and some times the attachment loosens causing problems. They also have no bolster, which is why they are lighter and less balanced. Without the bolster, the entire blade can be sharpened.
With regards to the handles, size does matter! If you have dainty little hands or large bear claws, chosing the right handle is a matter of preference. I suggest you pick up the knife before you buy it online. It may not have the shape that fits your hand comfortably. Sanitation and resistance to water are two more considerations. Time for a quick rant on how to wash your knife! Although most knives are made to be dishwasher safe, I recommend that you hand wash them for three reasons. First, the agitation of the dishwasher exposes the blade to potential damage. Second, the high temperature and humidity inside the dishwasher may eventually cause the handle to separate from the blade, and the third reason is safety related. Dishwasher features vary between machines, but often, there is no place dedicated for this purpose. Also, be sure the knife is NSF(National Science Foundation) certified, which means it is safe to use and has passed sanitation standards.
The single most important knife is your Chef's knife (or Cook's knife, or French knife). This one knife, properly handled, can be used on 9 out of 10 cutting jobs from chopping delicate herbs, to that juicy onion that brings tears to your eyes, to butchering bones for homemade stock. The second, is an all purpose paring knife. This smaller knife has a much shorter blade of 4 inches or less. There are many jobs in the kitchen that require more detail and knife control like peeling round fruits and vegetables, segmenting citrus, and deveining shrimp. The blade is also more flexible than a chef's knife. The third, is a serrated, or bread knife. This is the highly specialized knife of the group. Due to its saw-like blade, they always seem to be sharp. The wavy cutting edges create multiple surfaces which are equally effective for cutting through the crusty exterior of a loaf of bread as well as the soft interior. Tomato and eggplant skins can also be particularly challenging to conventional blades if your knife is slightly dull.There are many other specialty knives that you can buy, but most of them are specifically for meat processing. A boning knife, for instance, has a long, thin flexible blade that is useful for cutting through joints, trimming silverskin, and separating flesh from the bones. Slicing, or carving knives make it easy to carve thin slices from large roasts. Cleavers are generally used for processing bones for making stock.
Now, being a professional chef, I tended to buy very substantial, expensive, imported blades by Wustof, Henckels and Tojiro. No one was allowed to use my knives, as most cost more than $100 each and I have owned some of them for more than twenty years. Over the years, I have used countless numbers of brands and styles of knives, and I'm passing on what I've learned to you.
There are four basic factors to consider. First, how much money are you willing to spend on kitchen tools. Second, how much use will the knife get and on what types of food? Third, will you sharpen your knives regularly and what will you use to do that? Finally, how does the knife feel in your hand? Obviously, these questions suggest that buying the most important tool in your kitchen comes down to your choice! If on the other hand, you think that is a cop out...
My recommendation to you, is to buy a trio of Forschner Fibrox knives, a Chef, a Paring, and a Bread knife. All three of these knives can be purchased for less than $70 total. They have been highly rated by Cook's Illustrated magazine and they are commonly used in many commercial kitchens. The handles are slip resistant, even when wet. The blades are stamped out of high carbon stainless steel. They are certified by the National Science Foundation, and they come with a lifetime guarantee. They would be a great choice if you are just starting out, or don't want to spend a small fortune. I love my "high end" knives, but that comes down to what I'm used to. Buy the best knife you're willing to afford that has the right feel, then learn how to clean, sharpen, and otherwise, care for it, because if my Mother's kitchen drawer is any indication...you could own that knife for the rest of your life!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Mom Kitchen
Mom and Daughter Matching Aprons
By Ann Cohen
When I was a little girl, my mom and I used to cook and bake together, wearing matching mom and daughter aprons. We used to make her favorite, Shepperd's Pie. It's sometimes these little memories that create the most impact and also create traditions in our lives.
I think that every child needs an apron for many reasons. Matching mom and daughter aprons or matching dad and son aprons create a special bond between parent and child especially when doing chores or crafts together. Having special aprons make baking or cleaning almost a special occasion, if cleaning can be a special occasion! It's motivational to have that "special gear" for a specific chore or craft.
Aprons help keep your child's clothes clean and looking great, especially all these new designs of clothes.
Aprons are not just for the kitchen anymore, when I was little if you were cooking it was an apron for anything else we called them smocks. Long gone are the days of using Dad's old shirt as a smock, today there are trendy and fashionable aprons that makes wearing them something very special.
There are many reasons to buy a child an apron, girl or boy. From cooking in the kitchen to working in the garage with dad, aprons have come back with fashion flair and wearing matching mom and daughter aprons will have your little one wanting to do her chores in her colorful matching apron.
An Apron for gardening is really great for kids. Not only will your gardening apron's keep your clothes clean, but they are functional as well. Most children's aprons, boys and girls, come with lots of pockets.
Your child will be able to hold all the tools they need for gardening and most importantly hold all those little things they find in the garden, just let's hope it's lots of rocks and no bugs! With matching aprons your child will want to help mom or dad in the garden.
Playtime is imagination time for children. Even the toughest of boys can play and pretend in the toy kitchen, pretending to be a chef or cook. Aprons protect your child clothes during playtime with the Play Dough, been there done that! There are many types of aprons that are designed for playtime, role playing as a mommy or daddy. Aprons are also made of different materials, even waterproof.
Doing crafts with the kids can one of the messiest things I know. Aprons designed for when kids are finger painting or gluing or just about anything is a great idea. Kids can mess away without having to worry about getting their clothes dirty, not that they worry, we do that all by ourselves. With a Craft apron, kids can have a great time doing the crafts they love.
Family Cleaning Day, do you remember how hard it was to get everyone to pitch in to help out getting the whole house cleaned, or getting a project done? Chances are that even your smallest, will love getting in on the family project when they have their own matching apron to proudly own and wear. They will be very excited and motivated to "get dressed" for the job and sometimes half the battle is over. When everyone is ready to go in the "cleaning apron", the chores become more organized. Family cleaning day could be cleaning the house or cleaning up the garage.
Instead of using an old shirt for a smock for school craft activities, using an apron is a great idea. They protect the child's clothes from glue, paint and other craft supplies. There are aprons designed specifically for crafts, you can even have your child's apron personalized with their name and give them a new sense of pride during those school activities. Craft aprons have lots of pockets and are even waterproof.
We can't leave the boys out! Even father's and son's can have matching aprons to get the job done together. There are matching handyman aprons or work belts that are perfect for the boys to work together around the house, yard, garage or even helping with the cars.
Saving the best for last, aprons in the kitchen. Not only can you get matching mother and daughter aprons but you can get matching mother and son aprons. You can even get matching chef's hats. What a great time you can have in the kitchen with your children making their favorite meal together or better yet my favorite, Chocolate Chip Cookies. Kids want to look the part.
Cooking and baking together as a family can easily become a family tradition during the holiday's such as Christmas or even coloring Easter eggs at Easter. So Mom and Daughter and Father and Son can all have their matching aprons and make a truly traditional family meal.
By Ann Cohen
When I was a little girl, my mom and I used to cook and bake together, wearing matching mom and daughter aprons. We used to make her favorite, Shepperd's Pie. It's sometimes these little memories that create the most impact and also create traditions in our lives.
I think that every child needs an apron for many reasons. Matching mom and daughter aprons or matching dad and son aprons create a special bond between parent and child especially when doing chores or crafts together. Having special aprons make baking or cleaning almost a special occasion, if cleaning can be a special occasion! It's motivational to have that "special gear" for a specific chore or craft.
Aprons help keep your child's clothes clean and looking great, especially all these new designs of clothes.
Aprons are not just for the kitchen anymore, when I was little if you were cooking it was an apron for anything else we called them smocks. Long gone are the days of using Dad's old shirt as a smock, today there are trendy and fashionable aprons that makes wearing them something very special.
There are many reasons to buy a child an apron, girl or boy. From cooking in the kitchen to working in the garage with dad, aprons have come back with fashion flair and wearing matching mom and daughter aprons will have your little one wanting to do her chores in her colorful matching apron.
An Apron for gardening is really great for kids. Not only will your gardening apron's keep your clothes clean, but they are functional as well. Most children's aprons, boys and girls, come with lots of pockets.
Your child will be able to hold all the tools they need for gardening and most importantly hold all those little things they find in the garden, just let's hope it's lots of rocks and no bugs! With matching aprons your child will want to help mom or dad in the garden.
Playtime is imagination time for children. Even the toughest of boys can play and pretend in the toy kitchen, pretending to be a chef or cook. Aprons protect your child clothes during playtime with the Play Dough, been there done that! There are many types of aprons that are designed for playtime, role playing as a mommy or daddy. Aprons are also made of different materials, even waterproof.
Doing crafts with the kids can one of the messiest things I know. Aprons designed for when kids are finger painting or gluing or just about anything is a great idea. Kids can mess away without having to worry about getting their clothes dirty, not that they worry, we do that all by ourselves. With a Craft apron, kids can have a great time doing the crafts they love.
Family Cleaning Day, do you remember how hard it was to get everyone to pitch in to help out getting the whole house cleaned, or getting a project done? Chances are that even your smallest, will love getting in on the family project when they have their own matching apron to proudly own and wear. They will be very excited and motivated to "get dressed" for the job and sometimes half the battle is over. When everyone is ready to go in the "cleaning apron", the chores become more organized. Family cleaning day could be cleaning the house or cleaning up the garage.
Instead of using an old shirt for a smock for school craft activities, using an apron is a great idea. They protect the child's clothes from glue, paint and other craft supplies. There are aprons designed specifically for crafts, you can even have your child's apron personalized with their name and give them a new sense of pride during those school activities. Craft aprons have lots of pockets and are even waterproof.
We can't leave the boys out! Even father's and son's can have matching aprons to get the job done together. There are matching handyman aprons or work belts that are perfect for the boys to work together around the house, yard, garage or even helping with the cars.
Saving the best for last, aprons in the kitchen. Not only can you get matching mother and daughter aprons but you can get matching mother and son aprons. You can even get matching chef's hats. What a great time you can have in the kitchen with your children making their favorite meal together or better yet my favorite, Chocolate Chip Cookies. Kids want to look the part.
Cooking and baking together as a family can easily become a family tradition during the holiday's such as Christmas or even coloring Easter eggs at Easter. So Mom and Daughter and Father and Son can all have their matching aprons and make a truly traditional family meal.
Mom Kitchen
KidKraft Kitchens and Play Kitchen Accessories - Why Parents Like Them
By Windy L Roundtree
KidKraft Kitchens are all-in-one play sets that provide kid-sized cooking tools, fun food facts, nutritional information and fun recipes for your kids to enjoy. Let your child experiment and pretend all they want with these 100% safe simulated kitchen appliances. KidKraft kitchens come complete with a kid-sized oven, countertops, and sinks. Some models even have microwaves and bulletin boards to write out the grocery list! Your child can play pretend with the chef's hat and apron, and with their imagination, cook up a sumptuous meal for the entire family! Kids will not only have lots of fun with a KidKraft Kitchen, your family will also be entertained by the imaginative culinary creations your child whips up!As any parent knows, kids show an enormous interest in the many things they see adults do: routine house cleaning, washing and putting away the laundry, making household repairs, and of course cooking! Kids will try to make do with grown up household items, trying to come up with their own set of pots and pans and making imaginary home cooked meals for their parents and playmates. When you see their interest in kitchen activities, it's easy to encourage them by getting a KidKraft kitchen play set. This will give you the parent an opportunity to allow your child to fun while learning important kitchen activities and also teach your child safety measures in the kitchen department.
KidKraft Kitchens are recognized by parents and schools alike as the best selling kitchen play sets on the market today. You will find an impressive selection of kitchen play sets and kitchen toys to complement any KidKraft Kitchen. The kid-sized kitchens are designed around grown up kitchens, and will capture a child's interest with bright colors and varied themes. KidKraft Kitchens has many popular models - from Deluxe Big & Bright Kitchen that are all in one to the Pink Retro Play Kitchen that has a free standing refrigerator. There are many different themes and colors available to match any color scheme you might have for your childs play area. You can find KidKraft Kitchens in wood, retro, pastel, prairie, silver retro, and many other designs.
No KidKraft Kitchen is complete without the KidKraft Cookware play sets and baking sets. These are available in colors to complement the KidKraft Kitchen in either a primary color or a pastel color. The kitchen play sets are composed of blender sets, toaster sets, primary cookware sets, birthday cake sets, coffee sets, smoothie sets, as well as kettle and tea sets. These toys are designed to look like the kitchen tools you Mom's kitchen, only smaller and in fun colors that will attract your child's attention and spur imagination. The kitchen playsets are made for both entertainment and education. Large KidKraft Kitchens come complete with a refrigerator with freezer, a sink, an oven, and cabinets with functional doors. Most parents love the fact that they are easy to assemble and they are really affordable. You will find, that the KidKraft Kitchen play sets range in price $120 to $250. The KidKraft Cookware and appliance sets, such as the toaster and baking set can be as low as $10 and as much as $35.
KidKraft stand behind the products they sell, so if a part gets lost or broken, replacement parts can be ordered by visiting the manufacturers website. You can get your kids a dream kitchen where learning about play time can lead to learning how to cook real meals and how to be responsible in the kitchen. By getting your child a KidKraft Kitchen, you could help your child become the next great culinary master!
By Windy L Roundtree
KidKraft Kitchens are all-in-one play sets that provide kid-sized cooking tools, fun food facts, nutritional information and fun recipes for your kids to enjoy. Let your child experiment and pretend all they want with these 100% safe simulated kitchen appliances. KidKraft kitchens come complete with a kid-sized oven, countertops, and sinks. Some models even have microwaves and bulletin boards to write out the grocery list! Your child can play pretend with the chef's hat and apron, and with their imagination, cook up a sumptuous meal for the entire family! Kids will not only have lots of fun with a KidKraft Kitchen, your family will also be entertained by the imaginative culinary creations your child whips up!As any parent knows, kids show an enormous interest in the many things they see adults do: routine house cleaning, washing and putting away the laundry, making household repairs, and of course cooking! Kids will try to make do with grown up household items, trying to come up with their own set of pots and pans and making imaginary home cooked meals for their parents and playmates. When you see their interest in kitchen activities, it's easy to encourage them by getting a KidKraft kitchen play set. This will give you the parent an opportunity to allow your child to fun while learning important kitchen activities and also teach your child safety measures in the kitchen department.
KidKraft Kitchens are recognized by parents and schools alike as the best selling kitchen play sets on the market today. You will find an impressive selection of kitchen play sets and kitchen toys to complement any KidKraft Kitchen. The kid-sized kitchens are designed around grown up kitchens, and will capture a child's interest with bright colors and varied themes. KidKraft Kitchens has many popular models - from Deluxe Big & Bright Kitchen that are all in one to the Pink Retro Play Kitchen that has a free standing refrigerator. There are many different themes and colors available to match any color scheme you might have for your childs play area. You can find KidKraft Kitchens in wood, retro, pastel, prairie, silver retro, and many other designs.
No KidKraft Kitchen is complete without the KidKraft Cookware play sets and baking sets. These are available in colors to complement the KidKraft Kitchen in either a primary color or a pastel color. The kitchen play sets are composed of blender sets, toaster sets, primary cookware sets, birthday cake sets, coffee sets, smoothie sets, as well as kettle and tea sets. These toys are designed to look like the kitchen tools you Mom's kitchen, only smaller and in fun colors that will attract your child's attention and spur imagination. The kitchen playsets are made for both entertainment and education. Large KidKraft Kitchens come complete with a refrigerator with freezer, a sink, an oven, and cabinets with functional doors. Most parents love the fact that they are easy to assemble and they are really affordable. You will find, that the KidKraft Kitchen play sets range in price $120 to $250. The KidKraft Cookware and appliance sets, such as the toaster and baking set can be as low as $10 and as much as $35.
KidKraft stand behind the products they sell, so if a part gets lost or broken, replacement parts can be ordered by visiting the manufacturers website. You can get your kids a dream kitchen where learning about play time can lead to learning how to cook real meals and how to be responsible in the kitchen. By getting your child a KidKraft Kitchen, you could help your child become the next great culinary master!Monday, December 28, 2009
Mom Kitchen
Five Christmas Gifts For Your Mom
By Richard Mas
By Richard Mas
In this article, we will take a look at great Christmas Gifts for your Mom. She birthed you, she raised you, and she contributed to the person that you are today. This year, get an outstanding Christmas gift for your mother, the most important woman in your life.
Mothers and fathers too often get overlooked during the Holiday Season. Our traditional imagery of Christmas is kids waiting anxiously to open their Christmas presents that lay in wait under the tree. We also think of Christmas as the best time of the year for the family, the one time of the year when we all get together as family to celebrate.
Well, quite literally, none of this family would exist without the mothers and fathers who made this happen. These mothers and fathers, though they cherish this time for the kids, love to be honored during this special family time. Let's take a look at what we can get our mothers to show our appreciation.
Our first chosen gift is a personal one. Last year, my mother had seen a digital photo frame at her friends house and was in awe. She loved the idea of hundreds of family photos being seen throughout the day. We purchased my mother one of these digital photo frames for her birthday and she just loved it. The key with this gift is to load up all of the pictures for your mother ahead of time so that she does not have to do anything.
The second gift is a complimentary one to the first. After your mom sees all of the pictures in the digital photo frame, she will want to load up even more pictures of the holiday season. For this, she will need a new digital camera. Remember, your mom may not be technically savvy so get her one with a big screen that is easy to operate. Consider the best point and shoot digital cameras as they are easy to use and take great pictures.
Many moms love to spend a lot of time in the kitchen and relish any tasks that make their food preparation easier, their serving options more plentiful, or their food taste better. Options abound in the kitchen arena. From waffle irons to the best coffee makers, there is something for the kitchen that your mom will love.
You can also find great gifts that let your mom be a woman.
We often think of jewelry as a gift from husband to wife or boyfriend to girlfriend, but Mom's love to receive jewelry from their children. There are many different styles and types for children to give to their mothers. You may want to find a special stone with personal meaning that your mom will love. Watches also make great adornments for mothers. You can find amazing deals on women's watches at a watch store online.
Finally, gifts that all mothers enjoy are beauty and style products. If your mom likes to pamper herself, consider a set of bath oils so she can completely relax herself after the holidays. And after the bath, she can wash herself in a new fragrance that she received for Christmas.
Mom Kitchen
2009 Christmas Gift Ideas For Mom
By Jim Lucas
Are you running out of Christmas Gift Ideas For Mom this year? Well, you shouldn't be since the holiday is already upcoming. No worries though because there's something to rescue you. You have two ways to approach such concern. That is, provide her the most common traditional Christmas gifts that people used to give their moms with just like perfume, bathrobe, or a kitchen gadget, or give her something unusual that will surely surprise her.
It is observed that moms would normally love getting those above mentioned traditional gifts for the holidays probably because that's what they're used to receive and those are the gifts that anyone can easily figure out for their moms too.
It is never wrong to give such traditional gifts but perhaps you can put a little variation in it. For instance, when you buy perfume for her, don't just buy a single fragrance, instead purchase a gift set that has that fragrance and an additional bath and body items to enhance herself too. Jewelry might also be included when you buy these perfume gift sets. On the other hand, you can also choose to buy a luxurious bathrobe with plush microfiber for her or that which has a terrycloth robe. When it comes to the kitchen wares, you can either buy a programmable slow cooker or a standing mixer that will lighten her works.
For your 2009 Christmas Gift Ideas For Mom, you should start giving out that unique and more surprising things to her instead of sticking to the traditional ones. Why don't you wrap that technical gadget for her instead of her giving that to someone else?
An example for this is a portable vehicle GPS system that she can use so that wherever she goes, she won't get lost. If not, you can upgrade her buy switching her to HDTV and Blu Ray Technology which will provide her access to her favorite shows in high definition. You can then provide her a gift certificate that will give her the freedom to order her favorite Blu Ray discs. Another thing is the Kindle As Christmas Gift. Your mom will surely love this device especially if she's an avid reader.
With all these choices, finding the best gift for mom should no longer be a burden. It shouldn't also have to stick to the same, old boring routine that she usually gets. Although the traditional ones is what she will often expect, it would still be good thing for you to know that you can go the extra miles in choosing a gift for your mom.
By Jim Lucas
Are you running out of Christmas Gift Ideas For Mom this year? Well, you shouldn't be since the holiday is already upcoming. No worries though because there's something to rescue you. You have two ways to approach such concern. That is, provide her the most common traditional Christmas gifts that people used to give their moms with just like perfume, bathrobe, or a kitchen gadget, or give her something unusual that will surely surprise her.
It is observed that moms would normally love getting those above mentioned traditional gifts for the holidays probably because that's what they're used to receive and those are the gifts that anyone can easily figure out for their moms too.
It is never wrong to give such traditional gifts but perhaps you can put a little variation in it. For instance, when you buy perfume for her, don't just buy a single fragrance, instead purchase a gift set that has that fragrance and an additional bath and body items to enhance herself too. Jewelry might also be included when you buy these perfume gift sets. On the other hand, you can also choose to buy a luxurious bathrobe with plush microfiber for her or that which has a terrycloth robe. When it comes to the kitchen wares, you can either buy a programmable slow cooker or a standing mixer that will lighten her works.
For your 2009 Christmas Gift Ideas For Mom, you should start giving out that unique and more surprising things to her instead of sticking to the traditional ones. Why don't you wrap that technical gadget for her instead of her giving that to someone else?
An example for this is a portable vehicle GPS system that she can use so that wherever she goes, she won't get lost. If not, you can upgrade her buy switching her to HDTV and Blu Ray Technology which will provide her access to her favorite shows in high definition. You can then provide her a gift certificate that will give her the freedom to order her favorite Blu Ray discs. Another thing is the Kindle As Christmas Gift. Your mom will surely love this device especially if she's an avid reader.
With all these choices, finding the best gift for mom should no longer be a burden. It shouldn't also have to stick to the same, old boring routine that she usually gets. Although the traditional ones is what she will often expect, it would still be good thing for you to know that you can go the extra miles in choosing a gift for your mom.
Mom Kitchen
Sauce Emergencies Creamed, Substitutions For Milk, Buttermilk, Whipping Cream, Cornstarch, Arrowroot
By Laura Zinkan
When it is crunch time in the kitchen, running out of a crucial ingredient is no picnic. Neither is running out to the store at midnight. If you are missing an ingredient knowing its "equivalent" or substitution can save the day. Adapting recipes from antique cookbooks can also cause confusion. What is arrowroot and must I consult a wizard? Today, Mom helps cooks with tips on milk, cream and other sauce thickeners.
Milk: If you do not have one cup of fresh milk substitute 1/2 cup of evaporated mile plus 1/2 cup of water. Or follow the directions on a box of powdered milk. It's a good idea to have a can of evaporated milk handy for emergencies. If you don't use it during holiday baking, keep it for your other emergency kit.
Buttermilk: Also called sour milk, is used to give recipes a little zip. Substitute 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar plus enough whole milk to make 1 cup (let stand 5 minutes before using), OR use 1 cup whole milk plus 1 3/4 teaspoons cream of tartar OR use 1 cup of plain yogurt.
Whipping Cream: Whipped cream from scratch is worth the work. If time is not on your side, just use frozen dessert topping. 1 cup whipping cream equals 2 cups dessert topping.
Light Cream: if you do not have 1 cup of light cream use 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons of milk plus 2 tablespoons of butter.
Cornstarch: Great for thickening sauces; if you do not have 1 tablespoon of cornstarch use 2 tablespoons of flour. Always dissolve it in a little water, broth or juice before you add it to your sauce to avoid lumps.
Arrowroot: Not a mystical ingredient but another thickening agent for sauces and soups. Substitute 2 tablespoons of regular flour or 1 tablespoon of cornstarch for one tablespoon of arrowroot. If you decide your sauce still isn't thick enough, you can always add more. Dissolve in water or broth for easier mixing.
As a general rule if you are baking in the oven, you must follow the recipe as closely as possible. Not only do your ingredients add flavor, they also serve a specific function like making your bread rise, or binding ingredients together. If you are using milk or cream in a sauce, you have more flexibility. For example, if you are making gravy, a splash of milk instead of cream is fine. The fat content should only effect the flavor of your sauce, not the final product.
By Laura Zinkan
When it is crunch time in the kitchen, running out of a crucial ingredient is no picnic. Neither is running out to the store at midnight. If you are missing an ingredient knowing its "equivalent" or substitution can save the day. Adapting recipes from antique cookbooks can also cause confusion. What is arrowroot and must I consult a wizard? Today, Mom helps cooks with tips on milk, cream and other sauce thickeners.
Milk: If you do not have one cup of fresh milk substitute 1/2 cup of evaporated mile plus 1/2 cup of water. Or follow the directions on a box of powdered milk. It's a good idea to have a can of evaporated milk handy for emergencies. If you don't use it during holiday baking, keep it for your other emergency kit.
Buttermilk: Also called sour milk, is used to give recipes a little zip. Substitute 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar plus enough whole milk to make 1 cup (let stand 5 minutes before using), OR use 1 cup whole milk plus 1 3/4 teaspoons cream of tartar OR use 1 cup of plain yogurt.
Whipping Cream: Whipped cream from scratch is worth the work. If time is not on your side, just use frozen dessert topping. 1 cup whipping cream equals 2 cups dessert topping.
Light Cream: if you do not have 1 cup of light cream use 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons of milk plus 2 tablespoons of butter.
Cornstarch: Great for thickening sauces; if you do not have 1 tablespoon of cornstarch use 2 tablespoons of flour. Always dissolve it in a little water, broth or juice before you add it to your sauce to avoid lumps.
Arrowroot: Not a mystical ingredient but another thickening agent for sauces and soups. Substitute 2 tablespoons of regular flour or 1 tablespoon of cornstarch for one tablespoon of arrowroot. If you decide your sauce still isn't thick enough, you can always add more. Dissolve in water or broth for easier mixing.
As a general rule if you are baking in the oven, you must follow the recipe as closely as possible. Not only do your ingredients add flavor, they also serve a specific function like making your bread rise, or binding ingredients together. If you are using milk or cream in a sauce, you have more flexibility. For example, if you are making gravy, a splash of milk instead of cream is fine. The fat content should only effect the flavor of your sauce, not the final product.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Mom Kitchen
How To Get Banned From the Kitchen With Popcorn Eggs - A Mom's Secret to Never Cooking Again
By Lori Wilk
First, this cooking recipe is only for people who are busy, too busy to stand in the kitchen while the stove is on and watch the food cook. This recipe is for those who like to get the meal started and walk away and do other chores.
First take the eggs out of the refrigerator, place in a pot of water on the stove, put on the stove, turn on the flame and leave the room. Do something such as make phone calls, answer e-mails, do your nails.
When you start to hear the sound of popping, it's definitely time to go into the kitchen and check on your lovely eggs. The popping sound will only happen when the eggs have been on the stove long enough to have allowed the water to boil out of the pot. Therefore, when there's no water left in the pot, the eggs will start popping and fly like projectiles around your kitchen, most likely landing on walls, the ceiling, the floor, or aimed at you if you're in the kitchen when popping finally occurs.
This is not only messy, it's distinctively smelly... Okay, I'm only kidding about this being a good idea. The first time I made popcorn eggs I was permanently banned by my husband from the kitchen and he insists on making all of the meals....
I hope you enjoyed my recipe and kitchen tips and I'm more than happy to share with you my recipes for squash pancakes, pasta for the pets, and french onion soup.
By Lori Wilk
First, this cooking recipe is only for people who are busy, too busy to stand in the kitchen while the stove is on and watch the food cook. This recipe is for those who like to get the meal started and walk away and do other chores.
First take the eggs out of the refrigerator, place in a pot of water on the stove, put on the stove, turn on the flame and leave the room. Do something such as make phone calls, answer e-mails, do your nails.
When you start to hear the sound of popping, it's definitely time to go into the kitchen and check on your lovely eggs. The popping sound will only happen when the eggs have been on the stove long enough to have allowed the water to boil out of the pot. Therefore, when there's no water left in the pot, the eggs will start popping and fly like projectiles around your kitchen, most likely landing on walls, the ceiling, the floor, or aimed at you if you're in the kitchen when popping finally occurs.
This is not only messy, it's distinctively smelly... Okay, I'm only kidding about this being a good idea. The first time I made popcorn eggs I was permanently banned by my husband from the kitchen and he insists on making all of the meals....
I hope you enjoyed my recipe and kitchen tips and I'm more than happy to share with you my recipes for squash pancakes, pasta for the pets, and french onion soup.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Mom Kitchen
Mom's Kitchen: A Mother's Day Gift of Recipes and Recollections
By Ann Zuccardy Ann Zuccardy
Level: Platinum
Ah, Mother's Day. Remember when you were small, and Mom was everything? Back then, your world revolved around the music of Mom's voice... the padding of her footsteps, and savory aromas wafting from her kitchen, permeating the house with the promise of delicious things to come.
Remember rainy afternoons, and Mom's golden grilled cheese with a thick slab of red-ripe garden tomato? Or how about the Spaghetti-Os that Mom said had "no nutritional value," but even so you could always count on Wednesday mornings with Mom ladling warm spoonfuls into your plastic Thermos before popping the cup-top into place and sending you off to school. Remember gooey chocolate birthday cakes that Mom baked and frosted herself, and would later scrub off your cheeks and chin with the corner of her dinner napkin? You never could figure out how those crumbs got there, but Mom could spot a chocolate cake mishap from a mile away.
We all have our own distinct memories of life and meals in Mom's kitchen... the recipes that as a child maybe you didn't care for one way or the other, but then you came home from college and suddenly all you wanted more than anything in the world was a plate piled high with Mom's pot roast, carrots and mashed potatoes. So this Mother's Day, instead of picking up a last-minute gift at the jewelry cart in the mall or grabbing a potted plant at the nursery down the road... why not gift-wrap some of those cherished recipes and recollections that you and your brothers and sisters grew up with. Give Mom a taste of yesterday. Create a book of favorite family recipes and memoirs from Mom's Kitchen.
There are no hard and fast rules for creating a memento of this kind. Your Mother's Day cookbook can be whatever you'd like it to be. If arts and crafts is your cup of tea, pick up a brightly colored photo album at the local craft store, one that you can hand-print personal stories right onto the pages and fill with photos from your childhood. If you're graphically gifted, create your cookbook on the computer. You can even turn your Mother's Day cookbook into a web page if you're familiar with HTML.
The most complicated part of this Mother's Day creation will of course be the information-gathering. Luckily, if you have several brothers and sisters, then you likely have plenty of memories to work with. Hand out Mother's Day Homework; ask everyone to poke around the attics of their minds and jot down their best moments from a lifetime of eating, chattering, fighting, laughing and loving in Mom's kitchen. Was there one favorite food that Mom only prepared on special occasions? What about an ethnic dish that you secretly loved but would never confess it to your playmates from school? Think of those hilarious dinnertime mishaps, perhaps something involving loose baby teeth and corn on the cob. Remember those little brother antics around the supper table that we all had to deal with... Or how about all the times you slipped your green beans to Harry the hound dog when Mom's back was turned?
Once everyone's submitted their Mother's Day Remember Whens, have one stealthy family member root around in Mom's old recipe files when she's not around and collect the epicurean evidence of Mom's chef-like wizardry in the kitchen. If you can match a memory of Mom's cooking with an actual recipes of hers that you found buried in the bottom of the kitchen drawer, include these together in one entry of your cookbook. If not... that's okay, too.
Finally, you'll need a volunteer to collect photos, and also scan them if this Mother's Day cookbook will be designed on the computer. Rummage through the old family photo albums and picture boxes and pull out all the snapshots of holiday meals around the dinner table. Maybe you have one of Mom chopping and Dad carving side by side on Thanksgiving Day. What about those classic birthday cake pics and summer barbecues? Any meal-related photos you can find will serve as the basis for your Mother's Day Cookbook.
How many recipes should you include? Ten is a good number, but if you have more than ten by all means load up. If you have only five, that's okay too, as long as your presentation is attractive and the feeling is there, which it no doubt will be if everyone puts their all into the project. Again, this is your Mother's Day recipe book, created with love... and that means there is no "wrong" way to do this. On Mother's Day, have every family member pitch in with a covered dish they made themselves... to create a stupendous dinner of all Mom's favorite foods that she can enjoy without lifting a finger. After dessert (homemade chocolate cake from Mom's recipe box, of course), present your family gift, tell your Mom how much you love her and feel really good about yourselves as a family. After all the years your mother spent nourishing your belly and soul with love, comforting and delicious foods, you gave her back a truly meaningful Mother's Day gift that she'll cherish for the rest of her days.
By Ann Zuccardy Ann Zuccardy
Level: Platinum
Ah, Mother's Day. Remember when you were small, and Mom was everything? Back then, your world revolved around the music of Mom's voice... the padding of her footsteps, and savory aromas wafting from her kitchen, permeating the house with the promise of delicious things to come.
Remember rainy afternoons, and Mom's golden grilled cheese with a thick slab of red-ripe garden tomato? Or how about the Spaghetti-Os that Mom said had "no nutritional value," but even so you could always count on Wednesday mornings with Mom ladling warm spoonfuls into your plastic Thermos before popping the cup-top into place and sending you off to school. Remember gooey chocolate birthday cakes that Mom baked and frosted herself, and would later scrub off your cheeks and chin with the corner of her dinner napkin? You never could figure out how those crumbs got there, but Mom could spot a chocolate cake mishap from a mile away.
We all have our own distinct memories of life and meals in Mom's kitchen... the recipes that as a child maybe you didn't care for one way or the other, but then you came home from college and suddenly all you wanted more than anything in the world was a plate piled high with Mom's pot roast, carrots and mashed potatoes. So this Mother's Day, instead of picking up a last-minute gift at the jewelry cart in the mall or grabbing a potted plant at the nursery down the road... why not gift-wrap some of those cherished recipes and recollections that you and your brothers and sisters grew up with. Give Mom a taste of yesterday. Create a book of favorite family recipes and memoirs from Mom's Kitchen.
There are no hard and fast rules for creating a memento of this kind. Your Mother's Day cookbook can be whatever you'd like it to be. If arts and crafts is your cup of tea, pick up a brightly colored photo album at the local craft store, one that you can hand-print personal stories right onto the pages and fill with photos from your childhood. If you're graphically gifted, create your cookbook on the computer. You can even turn your Mother's Day cookbook into a web page if you're familiar with HTML.
The most complicated part of this Mother's Day creation will of course be the information-gathering. Luckily, if you have several brothers and sisters, then you likely have plenty of memories to work with. Hand out Mother's Day Homework; ask everyone to poke around the attics of their minds and jot down their best moments from a lifetime of eating, chattering, fighting, laughing and loving in Mom's kitchen. Was there one favorite food that Mom only prepared on special occasions? What about an ethnic dish that you secretly loved but would never confess it to your playmates from school? Think of those hilarious dinnertime mishaps, perhaps something involving loose baby teeth and corn on the cob. Remember those little brother antics around the supper table that we all had to deal with... Or how about all the times you slipped your green beans to Harry the hound dog when Mom's back was turned?
Once everyone's submitted their Mother's Day Remember Whens, have one stealthy family member root around in Mom's old recipe files when she's not around and collect the epicurean evidence of Mom's chef-like wizardry in the kitchen. If you can match a memory of Mom's cooking with an actual recipes of hers that you found buried in the bottom of the kitchen drawer, include these together in one entry of your cookbook. If not... that's okay, too.
Finally, you'll need a volunteer to collect photos, and also scan them if this Mother's Day cookbook will be designed on the computer. Rummage through the old family photo albums and picture boxes and pull out all the snapshots of holiday meals around the dinner table. Maybe you have one of Mom chopping and Dad carving side by side on Thanksgiving Day. What about those classic birthday cake pics and summer barbecues? Any meal-related photos you can find will serve as the basis for your Mother's Day Cookbook.
How many recipes should you include? Ten is a good number, but if you have more than ten by all means load up. If you have only five, that's okay too, as long as your presentation is attractive and the feeling is there, which it no doubt will be if everyone puts their all into the project. Again, this is your Mother's Day recipe book, created with love... and that means there is no "wrong" way to do this. On Mother's Day, have every family member pitch in with a covered dish they made themselves... to create a stupendous dinner of all Mom's favorite foods that she can enjoy without lifting a finger. After dessert (homemade chocolate cake from Mom's recipe box, of course), present your family gift, tell your Mom how much you love her and feel really good about yourselves as a family. After all the years your mother spent nourishing your belly and soul with love, comforting and delicious foods, you gave her back a truly meaningful Mother's Day gift that she'll cherish for the rest of her days.
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