Here’s the link of the article in this weeks local paper:
http://www.fourpointsnews.com/2014/05/06/may-7th-2014-issue/
Many fond memories have been made in the kitchen cooking with mom and many family traditions have been defined by food in our homes. Life lessons have been taught by mothers and learnt by kids while she was beating the eggs or stirring the soup. And irrespective of it sounding clichéd, food plays a key role in connecting the generations, creating bonds, building relationships and sharing love and affection.
Like many of you, I learnt arts and traits of life including cooking from my mother. Growing up as a sous chef in mom’s kitchen, helping her in kneading the dough, blending the spices, tenderizing the meat with a mallet and other such tasks you start learning the fundamentals of cooking from mom. Even today I thank her for having taught me the science of blanching a tomato, the intricate method of deveining shrimps, rolling a perfect circular roti (flat bread) or artfully spreading the dosa (rice crepe) and the fine understandings of better taste.
Similarly, I encourage my girls to explore their creativity in many ways in the kitchen. The fun and laughter and the craziness which happens in the kitchen, doesn’t just stay in the kitchen, it becomes a delicious dinner to share and enjoy, or amazing dessert which sweetens our lives and hopefully stays in their memories for years to come.
The recipes passed on from moms and grand moms to daughters and sons are what we can call food for the soul! On Mother’s day it’s a good idea to pull out your diary or recipe from your memory and make something for them or just celebrate them by making something they taught you.
I am sharing a recipe of simple omelet which I learnt very early in life. If nothing else, I hope the kids surprise their moms with breakfast on Mother’s day!
Breakfast Menu: Chili Cheese Omelet, Fresh Orange Juice, Heart Toast,(Cut out bread with heart shape cookie cutters before you toast) Marmalade Jelly, Fruit Kabob, made by putting cubes of water melon, pineapple, mango, cantaloupe and slices of kiwi on a skewer and don’t forget a cup of Coffee!
Chilli Cheese Omelet
2 eggs
1 tsp butter
½ tsp red chili pepper or flakes
¼ tsp turmeric (optional)
1 Green Chili or 1 jalapeno- deseeded & finely chopped
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup red bell pepper
1 tblsp chopped cilantro
Salt- to taste.
2 tblsp- grated cheese
Chop the onion, green chilies, bell pepper and cilantro finely and set aside. If you are young, ask help when using a knife or use scissors to cut.
Beat the eggs together with salt, red chili pepper and turmeric and set aside. Toss in the chopped onion, green chilies, bell pepper and cilantro to the eggs. Whisk the egg a little more to create a fluffy omelet.
Heat a small frying pan and add a spoon of butter. Pour in the eggs in the pan. Cook the eggs a little and sprinkle the grated cheese on top cook a little more till cheese is melted. Serve while the omelet is warm.
Wishing all moms a Happy Mother’s Day, and hope you enjoy your children’s loving efforts; and a quick note to kids, do not forget to clean up the mess in the kitchen after your culinary adventures 😉
Birjis Adeni Rashed is a food writer, culinary educator and consultant. Follow her blog and recipes on www.hotsweetspicyrecipes.com or connect with her on www.facebook.com/hotsweetspicyrecipes or www.twitter.com/HtSwtSpcyRecipe
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