MY MOM, Marie W. of Valdosta, Georgia, has a recipe for every occasion…whether
she’s competing in a cooking contest, organizing a meal at
church, or feeding family and friends.
Of course, everyone has their favorite “Marie recipe”,
but there are some things universally considered “the best
you’ve ever tasted”…like her famous Buttery Crescents.
No meal is complete without these yeast rolls. When Mom serves
them, there’s always a fight for the leftovers.
The crescents go great with her Spicy Seafood Bisque, Chicken Romaine Salad and Lemon Baked Alaska —which, I think, together make
up Mom’s “best meal you’ve ever tasted”.
Spicy Seafood Bisque, loaded with shrimp and crab, is a definite
crowd-pleaser and earned Mom an award in a local cooking contest.
Chicken Romaine Salad is an interesting blend of flavors and textures.
Its fruit and nuts make it really special.
Lemon Baked Alaska, another award-winner, is Mom’s signature
dish. This ice cream creation in a flaky pie crust is baked just
long enough to brown the meringue. A friend of mine declared this
the best dessert he’s ever had…and I’d have to
agree!
She Takes the Cake!
Mom’s first cooking prize came in seventh grade, when she
entered a cake in an elementary school fair. After spending hours
preparing the cake, she dropped it on the sidewalk on the way to
the fair. But it landed right side up—and it still won first
place!
Mom had already been cooking for years by then. My grandmother
let her loose in the kitchen to experiment when she was 8. My grandfather,
who loves desserts, was a willing taste-tester.
Mom’s had a successful career as a high school business teacher,
author and lecturer, but probably her best teaching job was training
my dad and me to cook. Before my parents married, Dad had never
prepared a meal. Now, he and I cook regularly. The lessons she taught
me were rewarding, and now I do most of the cooking in my home.
Following in Her Footsteps
My wife, Stephanie, is the daughter of my parents’ best friends
and a vegetarian. So after a day of managing analysts for an insurance
firm, I have fun making Mom’s favorite recipes using vegetarian
substitutes. I enjoy experimenting—just like my mom, who’s
always searching for new ideas and a crowd to try them out on.
My parents love to entertain and invite people to their home. Some
of my fondest memories are of parties they threw and of all the
good food Mom served. Most of that food she makes from scratch…and
the results have created a spoiled son!
Mom’s life has changed somewhat in the past few years, since
she now cares for my grandparents, who live nearby. But she still
entertains and makes her share of nightly meals.
I visit with my parents several times a year at each of our homes
and while traveling together. No matter what the location, Mom finds
a way to cook at least one meal for our family. I hope you’ll
try this meal of hers and enjoy it as much as I do!