Friday December 30, 2011
Jim's kids are here and I am at it again...Christmas dinner #2. And the Roast Prime Rib is the request from the troops! I remember growing up we used to go to an Inn in the Poconos called Pocono Manor Inn and we all loved the Prime Rib au jus. So I love creating what I remember of that meal...the tender, juicy meat with a side of au jus, baked potato or some variation on the potato and a green vegetable.
So, I guess I am concocting up a meal from my food memory lane in the hopes that my step kids conjure similar memories when they are older.
Here's my Prime Rib Recipe. Enjoy!
Wednesday December 28, 2011
What struck a chord with me when I met and interviewed Cindy was how similar, yet different our memories are. She has keen memories of her Italian grandmother cooking and the importance of food and the kitchen in their family. She shares how Christmas Eve on the North Shore of Boston was celebrated with the same dish every year - Lobster Sauce served over Linguine Noodles. Simply stated her ingredients were: Grandpa Joe's canned tomatoes from the garden, hand grinded, fresh caught lobster from Gloucester, olive oil, garlic, onion, Italian spices, Grandma Millie's handmade linguine, Romano cheese. And then the pizzelles made proudly with an iron from Italy.
While this isn't our menu, the feeling and sentiments are the same; the theme is similar - everything hand made from scratch. The perfect match of an ingredient is LOVE.
Thank you Cindy Reynolds!! Here's part 2 of her interview.
Monday December 26, 2011
How is everyone feeling today? I'm feeling pretty good. As many of you know, I have more than a full plate these days. I have a few decorating clients that keep me busy, I am trying to keep up with this blog and continue on the success of the Heirloom Meals' Thanksgiving public television special, interviewing book agents, planning a late March shoot of Heirloom Meals' Holiday/Christmas special for public television to air December 2012 and a host of other initiatives including populating my new online store. Are you tired, yet?
The truth of the matter is I was really tired. My brain wouldn't go to sleep as I keep thinking about everything I needed to do. And then the universe sends me a message...my internet didn't work on Monday and part of Tuesday. And I had to shut down, check out etc and be OK with that. And I had 2 amazing nights' sleep by just letting everything be.
So here I am. Thinking, pondering, reflecting, being. Do you know what the greatest joy was for me this Christmas? Giving my Mom the present I made her. Tears of joy and wonder flowed from the both of us. I took all the wonderful clippings from my "fan mail" that mentioned my Mom, along with some other photos and the recipe we made in my grandmother's handwriting and voila:
Friday December 23, 2011
Hope you all have heartwarming celebrations with family and friends!!
Please share your best memory and recipe(s). I am gearing up for a casting call to shoot a public television Holiday/Christmas Special for 2012 in late March - would love to consider your stories!
Lots of love to ALL!
Carole
Wednesday December 21, 2011
Who can argue that this isn't one of the cutest photos of some very proud kids who decorated the table and threw a party? And it epitomizes Cindy Reynolds today!! She is a daughter, a mom, a wife. She relishes her memories about setting the table and shopping at the farmer's market with her Mom in the 60's.
Listen HERE as Cindy reads two heartwarming essays about her memories of both and tune in next week to here about Cindy's connection to her Italian, Colombian and Dutch roots!
Wednesday December 21, 2011
The theme is the holidays...and Cuban-American Martha Cortina shares her memories and reflections.
Martha Cortina was born in Cuba and moved to the United States when she was 11 years old. She grew up with the authentic flavors of Cuba. As an adult, Martha was determined to keep the traditions and chronicled her mother's recipes so she could make them for her family. Martha is passionate about cooking and her heritage so much so she has just published a cookbook called Authentic Cuban Cuisine. It's a lovely book in which Martha not only shares her recipes but recipes that she has collected and added her unique Cuban touch!
Listen to the radio show HERE!