Memories of mothering

Sunday, May 11, 2014


Happy Mother's Day to my mom!
(Photo taken at her birthday, earlier this week.)

The girls and I, Mother's Day 2014
Memories of mothering (names disguised to protect the easily embarrassed):

May 21, 1997: "She sometimes tests me to see what she can get away with. She knows she's allowed to eat and drink only in the kitchen. So she likes to take her juice cup and line her feet up right next to the divider between the kitchen and hall floors. When she thinks I'm not looking, she'll inch one set of toes over the line, then the other. If she's feeling bold, one whole foot will wander into the hall. As soon as I crane my neck to see where she's standing, she scoots her feet back in the kitchen and gives me a look of complete innocence."

June 22, 1999: "Every night at bath time, she tries to stand up in the tub. Every time, I warn her if she stands up again she's coming out. And every time she gives me a big grin as she tries to stand again, then a roar of fury as I take her out of the tub."

February 4, 2000: "Some mornings, I feel like I'm in one of Dante's lower rings as I try to shoehorn her into her snowsuit and boots. I've actually given up on mittens. She'd rather draw pictures in the snow with her bare fingers for fifteen minutes, after which she howls in pain and has to be carried inside, than submit to the mitts for five seconds. And although we usually get the boots on, they often get kicked off again. She gives herself bonus points if she kicks them off outside, which are immediately doubled if done while standing in a snowdrift. Yesterday, after doing that very thing, she wept, "My socks are cold!"

In honour of Mother's Day, here's a chicken recipe that's as delicious as it is easy. Whether you're serving toddlers or teens, and even if you're just serving yourself with some leftovers to spare, you can't beat this great recipe.


Skillet Chicken with Green Garlic and Thyme
(adapted from Cook This Now, by Melissa Clark)

Note: Next time I'll probably double the garlic-thyme mixture - it was fantastic!

8 pieces of chicken 
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (first amount)
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 bunches fresh thyme, leaves removed and stems discarded
4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (second amount)
3/4 cup dry white wine
2 Tbsp unsalted butter

In a large shallow dish, place the chicken, 1 Tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme and garlic, and mix to coat the chicken. Cover the dish and chill in the refrigerator for two hours and up to overnight.

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the second amount of olive oil, then add the chicken and seasoning mixture. Cook for 10 minutes without moving the chicken. Flip the chicken pieces, cover the pan, and continue cooking, without moving, for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Check the breasts by piercing them with a fork to see if they’re cooked through. If so, transfer them to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. If not, let them cook another 5 minutes or so until done.

After removing the breasts, use a spoon to remove some of the excess fat. Pour in the wine. Simmer, scraping up the brown bits at the bottom of the skillet, until the sauce reduces and the remaining chicken parts are cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a plate and whisk the butter into the pan, whisking until the sauce thickens. Serve with the sauce on top of the chicken.


26 comments:

Maria K said...

Ah! Mothers! Happy birthday for your mum, Beth!
Your garlic and thyme chicken sounds utterly delicious. I make a similar dish too.

Valerie Gamine said...

XO Happy Mother's Day, Beth!! :)

Angie's Recipes said...

Happy Birthday to your mama, Beth! I love the photo of you and your gals.
The chicken looks lipsmackingly delicious.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Happy Mother's Day! This sounds like a great recipe I'll remember to try if I have guests.

grace said...

happy belated mom's day to you, beth! your chicken looks supremely moist and thyme is one of my favorite herbs, no question.

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

'cause something's got to be easy, right?!

But I so laughed, especially at the "names have been disguised" I get "why do you call me "the picky daughter"

Unknown said...

Looks like you and your mom are close.

Barbara said...

I loved the photos, Beth. Such a cute post! Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Julie said...

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day! Beautiful picture of you and your daughters.

nancy at good food matters said...

I am smiling as I read this, having just spent time with my grandson, who hates mittens and always tries to stand in the tub!
Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day.
(love the green garlic-thyme recipe too!)

Display name said...

Cute stories! Ah...that chicken does look perfect!
:) ela@GrayApron

Katerina said...

Happy belated mother's day Beth. You have a beautiful family! The chicken looks mouthwatering!

Gloria Baker said...

Happy belated mother's day dearBeth!!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Happy belated mothers day my friend, you obviously had a beautiful day :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Ruth Schiffmann said...

Oh, they can be strong willed, can't they! Loved readings this - brought back lots of similar memories of my own. Hope your mother's day was lovely! Beautiful picture of you and your girls =)

Anonymous said...

Happy belated Mother's Day. I enjoyed the pictures and memories.

Anonymous said...

I think thyme has become my must used herb lately. I know I would enjoy your chicken. I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day with your family.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Really fun post -- love the anecdotes! And love the recipe too -- nice, simple, and tasty. The best kind! Hope you had a terrific Mother's Day!

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

Oh, I love your little memories! As a new mom myself, they totally warm my heart. =) And what a great recipe!

Belinda said...

Classic recipe and love the stories. Happy Mother's Day!!

Unknown said...

Sweet photos and memories Beth! I love that you've included such a wonderful recipe to go along with such a lovely Mother's Day post-hope you enjoyed a fine day with your family ;)

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, fabulous recipe to go with such a sweet post and wonderful photos! Hope you had a wonderful Mother´s Day, dear friend!

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Mothers Day Beth! I love your stories of the children and it reminds me of when my boys were younger. They grow up so fast! Great little chicken recipe and I too love fresh thyme. Take care, BAM

Catherine said...

Good memories! Happy belated Mother's Day to you and your mom.
Wonderful chicken recipe. Blessings, Catherine

Kathy said...

Wonderful memories, Beth! Your recollections brought back many lovely memories for me! Hope your Mother’s day was filled with sunshine and love!

vanillasugarblog said...

Sorry I missed this post!
Way behind in commenting.
Aren't you a cutie though?
And what wonderful memories; it was nice to read through this, it really was. You are blessed and it shows you are very grateful as well. xoxo

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