An Hour of Love
May 10, 2007

The Greeks must have had mothers in mind when they coined the word enthusiasm– it means ‘filled with God.’ Who else on the planet gets more excited about lives filled with scraped knees, ant farms, and mediocre test scores than a mom? Why not share a little enthusiasm with a beloved mom this weekend by cooking up a nice dinner– most of the mothers I know would rather watch family members enjoy an hour in the kitchen together than wait an hour in line for dinner out. This fun menu is easy cooking for all ages– there is a job for everyone. And it’s OK if mom just happens to pick up the main ingredients on her weekly shopping trip. Just because it’s Mother’s Day doesn’t mean that she can shut down her enthusiasm level completely!

Job 1 Ginger Splash. Settle mom down comfortably with the weekend papers and a make her a treat: combine some tequila or rum (optional) with crushed ice, a small piece of crushed fresh ginger, and a few fresh mint leaves topped off with Reed’s Ginger Beer.

Job 2 BBQ Chicken. Quarter several Cornish game hens or small chickens (plan on 2 pieces/person). Place in a gallon zip lock bag and douse with Ken’s Lite Caesar Dressing. Set aside for 30 minutes then grill chicken about 20–25 minutes on medium heat. Wrap in heavy foil and let rest. Grill asparagus, see job #5.

Job 3  Blueberry Cornbread. Follow directions on a standard box of cornmeal, but use buttermilk instead of milk. Add a cup of fresh blueberries to the final batter and bake for 25 minutes on 350 degrees. Serve with soft butter.

Job 4  Caesar Salad. In a small processor add the zest of half a lemon and 2 garlic cloves; mince well. Add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 cup of Hellman’s mayonnaise; a pinch of kosher salt; and 2 teaspoons of anchovy paste (optional). Blend well. Chop several heads of pre–washed romaine lettuce (1 head/2 people) and place in a large bowl. Just before serving, toss in half the dressing and sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese and freshly ground pepper. Add more dressing if desired.

Job 4 BBQ Sauce. Pour a commercial bottle of BBQ sauce into a small saucepan. Embellish the sauce with 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger, one–quarter cup of orange juice and soy sauce each, and a shot of Tabasco sauce. Stir well and simmer 10 minutes until thick. Adjust seasoning for taste with a little maple syrup.

Job 5 Asparagus: Snap the ends off of fresh asparagus and toss lightly in 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Grill lightly turning evenly for 5 minutes on low heat. Place on a serving dish and sprinkle with kosher salt, a splash of juice from an orange, and some chopped fresh mint on top. Set at room temperature.

Job 6 Ice Cream. Scoop out bowls of the family favorite or take mom out for a cone!

Kim Dannies is a graduate of La Varenne Cooking School in France. She lives in Williston, VT with her husband, Jeff, and three college–aged daughters who come and go. ©2008