Dear God,

Thank you for allowing me the privilege and responsibility of being a mother. I know that it wasn’t an easy decision for you to make. In fact, it took you eight long years to make it.  Maybe you felt that I wasn’t ready.  The waiting was hard, but I had faith in your plan for me – even though I had no idea what that might be.

I remember the exact moment when I learned that I was pregnant.   It was just a few days before Mother’s Day in 1993.  I was sitting in my sunroom, having my morning coffee when I got the call.  When the telephone rang, I didn’t want to answer it.  I had been disappointed so many, many times before.  But on that day, thanks to you, I finally heard the words that I’d longed to hear.  The waiting was over, and my life changed forever. 

I reveled in being pregnant!  Each day was such a gift!  The sun shone brighter; the grass grew greener; and the flowers bloomed in Technicolor.  It was also the only time I can remember when I was actually encouraged to gain weight!   I didn’t even mind the heartburn or the various other…um…gastrointestinal issues that cropped up.  That time was fraught with anxiety too.  With every little twitch or twinge I felt, I was convinced that something was wrong.  I had my obstetrician on speed dial and burned up the phone lines calling her daily for reassurance.

Do you remember the time I had my first Braxton-Hicks contractions and thought I was in premature labor?  I raced home and put myself on bed rest!  I also made Mr. SGCC sit there with me for two solid weeks playing gin rummy to distract me.  What a dork I was!  What about that one day I was reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting, and the book suddenly flew off my lap?  I looked down and saw, as plain as day, the outline of a tiny, little foot poking out of my swollen belly.  I think that was the moment I realized the magnitude of the miracle you had given me.

When it was time to go to the hospital to give birth, I experienced fear like I’d never imagined before.   I didn’t know how to take care of a baby!  What if I couldn’t do this?  What if something went wrong?  What if I turned out to be a terrible mother?   I felt so unprepared and inadequate!   But in the delivery room, you stayed with me and held my hand the whole time.  And when the doctors told me that I needed a C-section, you whispered in my ear that it would be all right.  I trusted you, like I always had, and felt the calm wash over me.

I’ll never forget when they put my precious, beautiful baby girl in my arms for the first time.  She had a full head of soft, wavy hair and the most perfect little ruby-red, rosebud lips.  I never knew I could feel such utter and complete bliss!   Mesmerized, I gazed at my baby’s sweet face, as Mr. SGCC frantically counted all of her fingers and toes.  (I’m not sure why.  I think his mother told him to do it.)

For the next eighteen years, I shared my baby’s triumphs and sorrows.  I laughed with abandon when she was happy, and cried rivers of tears when she was sad.  I even felt physical pain when she got hurt.  I still do.  But, each ounce of joy has been worth every pound of heartache.

Motherhood has had it’s challenges.  It’s been both the most rewarding and most difficult work I’ve ever done.  I haven’t always known what to do, or had the right answers. I know I’ve made mistakes.   But, I’ve always tried my best.  And, you were always there to guide me along the way.  Thank you for that too!

Remember when we almost lost our daughter in an auto accident last November?   That was the second time I experienced unimaginable fear.  Seeing my child lying bruised and broken was almost too much for me to bear.  All those months during her recovery took a toll on me – mentally and physically.  There were days when I didn’t trust my own legs to support me.  Those were the days that I could feel you holding me up and gently pushing me forward.  I couldn’t have done it without you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

In a few weeks, my beautiful girl will be graduating from high school.  Soon after, she’ll be going off to college to start a whole new chapter in her life.  I pray that her father and I have prepared her well for what lies ahead.  However, I know that when she stumbles, you will be there to hold her up too.  And, if she should struggle with self-doubt, you’ll surely take her hand and whisper in her ear as well.  Thank you in advance for that.

Mother’s Day is recognized as the day that we honor the women in our lives who birthed us, raised us, nurtured us, and most importantly, who loved us.  We treat our moms with flowers and gifts and fancy restaurant meals.  I don’t care too much about those things.   All I want for Mother’s Day this year is to know that my child is healthy and happy, and that you are watching over her.  I believe that you are.  And for that,  Dear God, I am eternally grateful.

All My Love,

Susan

P.S.  Hope you like the sweet treats!

Of the great triumvirate of Christian holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter),  Easter is my favorite.  While I love eating myself into oblivion at Thanksgiving, and  Christmas (the gifts are nice too), I actually enjoy the fact that Easter isn’t as food-centric.  I find it to be a much more relaxing and low-key holiday than the others, which in turn means less stress for me.  And, I’m all about less stress these days!    While, it would be unthinkable in my family to have Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner in a restaurant (gasp!),  the same does not apply to Easter.  Unless we’re invited to someone’s home, we almost always enjoy our Easter meal at one of our favorite restaurants.

On the other hand, if your family is anything like mine, they will be clamoring for food long before the time a 4:00 dinner reservation rolls around.   To stave off the hungry horde, I always prepare a few dishes ahead of time that can either be warmed up in the oven or simply served cold that morning.   Here are some great “stress-less” brunch ideas from the SGCC archives for a lovely, laid back, Easter Sunday brunch.

Sumptuous Strawberry Soup

Fresh, ripe strawberries are blended with yogurt, sour cream, lime juice and honey to make this rich and lush chilled soup. It’s like a cross between a mousse and a smoothie.  Frozen berries can also be used in a pinch.  Whip it up a day or two in advance, although it may not last that long.

Chicks in a Nest

Chicks in a Nest is a great dish to serve for a brunch buffet. Each serving is completely self-contained and can just be picked up and popped on a plate. The “nests” are made from shredded potatoes that are baked in a muffin tin, which are then served filled with scrambled or poached eggs.  You can shred your own potatoes or use a bag of the pre-shredded kind, like I did.  The potato nests can be made a day ahead and crisped up in the oven before serving. 

Anytime Ham, Cheese and Egg Strata

A strata is casserole made with bread, eggs and whatever cheese, meats or vegetables you feel like putting into it.  Think of it as a savory bread pudding.   This one is filled with onions, ham, mozzarella and Swiss cheese.   The best thing about a strata is that it’s meant to be made in advance.  In fact, it really must be put together and allowed to sit for several hours or overnight before baking.  For your trouble, you’re rewarded with a puffy and golden mass of cheesy, meaty, eggy goodness.  

Vegetable Noodle Kugel

A kugel is actually a Jewish dish, commonly served on holidays and special occasions.  It’s a baked casserole, sweet or savory, that is usually made with egg noodles or potatoes, and often with cottage or cream cheese.  In this savory version, I’ve blended cottage cheese, sour cream and a velvety chevre with noodles and assorted vegetables for a sumptuous dish with a subtle tang.  A dusting of panko crumbs on top gives it a little crunch and extra texture.  This kugel is best baked up a day ahead and served at room temperature.

Tutti Frutti Chicken Salad

This light and luscious chicken salad is chock full of fresh and dried fruits and nuts bathed in a creamy  dressing punctuated with fresh herbs.  You can use any combination and quantity of fruits, nuts and herbs that you like, and it always turns out great.   Served in big, juicy, hollowed out tomatoes, pineapple boats or avocado halves, this Tutti Frutti Chicken Salad really sings Springtime!

Green Bean and Potato Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

This lovely little salad features crisp tender green beans, potatoes, sweet grape tomatoes and thin slivers of red onion.  I pair it with a zesty vinaigrette, accented with Dijon mustard, lemon, garlic, honey and fresh herbs.  Serve it either warm or chilled and topped with some chopped hard boiled egg for extra richness.  It makes a lovely complement to any meal.

Presto Pesto Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is quick and ridiculously easy to put together. And, it’s full of zesty, bold flavors.  The dressing is simply a mixture of mayonnaise, lemon juice and store bought pesto sauce – the kind you find in the refrigerator section at the supermarket.  You can serve it as is, or punch it up by mixing in some poached chicken, tuna or tasty little salad shrimp.  Any way you serve this Presto Pesto Pasta Salad, your guests will be dishing out the complements!

Pizza Rustica

Of course, no Easter Sunday brunch at Chez SGCC would be complete without a few traditional Italian Easter pies, like this Pizza Rustica.  It’s a big, cheesy, meaty, creamy hunk of a pie stuffed to the gills with six different kinds of cured and fresh meat.  Yes, I said SIX!  One slice is pretty much a complete meal in itself.  A Pizza Rustica does take some time to put together, but trust me, it is worth the effort.  Plus, it can be made a few days in advance and is best served at room temperature. 

Torta di Riso

Torta di Riso is a rich and creamy egg and ricotta based dessert pie filled filled with cooked Arborio rice and delicately flavored with the essence of orange.  Think of it as rice pudding in a crust.  This pie is usually made using a traditional rolled pie crust.  But, I’ve made it a little easier to make and more interesting to eat by using layers of paper thin phyllo dough to envelope my filling.  The phyllo gives this torta a delightfully crispy, buttery crust that shatters beneath your teeth as you bite into it.  It’s simply amazing!

Italian Ricotta Cheesecake

And, we certainly can’t forget dessert, especially when it’s a luxuriously rich and creamy cheesecake like this one!  My version of this Italian classic is made with both ricotta and mascarpone cheeses, giving it a super silky smooth texture.  I flavor it with the heady combination or pure vanilla and a splash of orange flower water, that is sure to make both you and your guests swoon.

Buttery Lemon Bars

Lemon Bars are a quintessential Springtime treat.  This version boasts a rich and buttery shortbread crust topped with an ultra-lemony curd that is the perfect balance of sweet and tart.  These are honestly the best lemon bars I’ve ever eaten – bar none!  

Enjoy!

]]> http://stickygooeycreamychewy.com/2012/04/01/easter-brunch-sgcc-style/feed/ 13 http://stickygooeycreamychewy.com/2011/12/30/new-years-eve-noshes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-years-eve-noshes http://stickygooeycreamychewy.com/2011/12/30/new-years-eve-noshes/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:22:41 +0000 Susan http://stickygooeycreamychewy.com/?p=4083 Looking for some great small bites to serve for New Year’s Eve?  Well, look no further.  Here are some delicious ideas from the SGCC archives.  Whether you’re hosting a big bash or a more intimate gathering, these noshes are sure to impress.  

 

 

 

Looking for some great small bites to serve for New Year’s Eve?  Well, look no further.  Here are some delicious ideas from the SGCC archives.  Whether you’re hosting a big bash or a more intimate gathering, these noshes are sure to impress.  

This New Year’s Eve as I watch the ball drop in Times Square, I’ll be curled up on my couch and wrapped in fleece. That’s exactly where I want to be. I’ll also be munching on some of these tasty tidbits in between sips of cold, crisp champagne.

Here’s wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. May 2012 bring you all you ever dreamed of.

Every year, long before the Thanksgiving dishes are even dried and put away, the Christmas rush is on. That’s when so many of us find ourselves racing around, spending money we don’t have on lots of things we don’t need. It’s crazy! One way that I’ve found to minimize the stress of Holiday shopping – and spending – is to make delicious gifts for family and friends in my own kitchen. Not only are homemade gifts often more economical, but they can also be much more meaningful to their recipients.

Each year, I choose a different assortment of tasty treats to give as holiday gifts.  I package each in pretty decorative packaging and make up cheery goodie bags to deliver to the lucky recipients.  I usually choose a few easy recipes along with some that are a little more complex to get a nice balance in my bags.   I really enjoy doing this, and the whole process helps to get me into the Holiday spirit.  And, after all that has happened around here lately, I could really use some help getting my Christmas mojo on! 

When it comes to creating edible gifts, the possibilities are endless. From the simplest sugar cookies to more labor intensive items like candies or preserves, there are plenty of recipe options available, regardless of your level of culinary expertise.  Below are some of some of my favorite gifts from the kitchen from years past.  I hope you find a few that inspire you.

What are your favorite edible gifts to give and to receive?

I’ve referred to Mr. SGCC as a caveman many times over the years, mostly tongue-in-cheek – mostly.   While he is usually a pretty good sport about eating anything I put in front of him, what he really craves is meat – and lots of it.  Big, manly man-sized portions!   With Father’s Day just a day away, I thought I’d share a few of Mr. SGCC’s favorite recipes from the SGCC archives.  You know, just in case you happen to have a caveman of your own to feed.  

Knick’s Brunch Burgers with Balsamic Onion Marmalade are big, juicy, monster burgers made with ground ribeye, schmeared with silky, smoky and sweet caramelized onions, and topped with a soft, oozy, warm fried egg.  Magic!

Grilled Steak Fajitas with Guacamole start with skirt steak marinated in a mixture of orange and lime juices, olive oil, garlic, jalapeno and cumin.  The fork-tender meat is seared with lots of onions, peppers and mushrooms, and served with shredded cheese and cool, creamy homemade guacamole.

Who could resist Ribeye Steaks with a Spicy, Smoky, Cacao Nibs Rub?  These huge slabs of dry-aged, bone-in ribeye are smothered in a dry rub made with ground cacao nibs, brown sugar and lots of earthy, smoky spices.  They’ll send him straight to carnivore heaven!

I’ll admit, these Chiles Rellenos were a pain to make, but oh, were they amazing!  Huge roasted poblano peppers stuffed with a piquant pork piccadillo filling are dipped in an egg batter and fried to perfection.  Bathed in a cinnamon and spice laden tomato broth, they are heaven on a plate and totally worth the mess in my kitchen!

I almost had a heart attack in the Whole Foods check out line when I realized what I had paid for these magnificent veal chops.  They may have cost a king’s ransom, but my Pan Roasted Veal Chops with Chipotle-Lime Butter is definitely a meal fit for a king!

Mr. SGCC’s heart goes aflutter just thinking about Momofuku’s meltingly tender Bo Ssäm!  A massive hunk of pig is slathered with a salt and sugar rub and slow roasted for several hours until it literally falls apart on the plate.  Served with a variety of small side dishes called banchan, this intensely porky dish is a total foodgasm if there ever was one!

If your caveman prefers his slow roasted pork with a Latin flair, this Lechon Asado is the dish for you.  Marinated in a zesty garlic and citrus based mojo sauce, this lechon  is impossibly succulent and tender.  Whether sliced into a classic Cubano sandwich or just eaten off the bone with your fingers,  I guarantee that peace and contentment will abound in your house.

And since caveman cannot live by meat alone, you should also have a few macho desserts for your resident hunk, like these Candied Bacon Chocolate Chunk Cookies…

Or, how about a big old super fudgy Texas Sheet Cake?

So go ahead and spoil the caveman in your life this Father’s Day with massive quantities of meat and sinful desserts.  They deserve it!  And even if they don’t, do it anyway.  They just might be grateful enough to start working on that “Honey Do” list you’ve been saving for them.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Today is also Mr. SGCC’s birthday and we’re going out tonight!  I don’t know if we’ll do Mexican again or not, (we do it every year), but wherever we end up, I’ll be thankful that I don’t have to cook in this heat.  For those of you planning to cook, and who live in a more temperate climate, here are some muy delicioso Cinco de Mayo ideas from the SGCC archives.

Enjoy! 

Easy Chorizo and Potato Huaraches

Enchiladas Suizas with Quick Avocado Salsa

Chile Rellenos

Snapper Veracruz

Los Frijoles Refritos

Fideos Ole

Grilled Steak Fajitas

Guacamole

Spicy Melon Salsa

Pumpkin Flan

I don’t know what is is about Easter time that makes me crave cool, light and fruity desserts.  Maybe it’s because by the time Easter rolls around, our Florida temperatures have already crept up into the eighties.  Or, maybe it’s because they look so pretty and Spring-like in their rainbow assortment of soft and pretty pastel colors.    Whatever the reason – or the season – these lovely, citrusy sweet treats from the SGCC archives would make a welcome addition to any Easter table.  If you’re still looking for menu ideas, I hope you’ll try one of these.

Enjoy!  

Torta di Riso

Italian Ricotta Cheesecake

Lime Glazed Citrus Tea Cakes

Buttery Lemon Bars

Orange Tiramisu

Honeybell Sherbet

Frozen Lemonade Pie

Lemon Ice Cream Sandwiches with Raspberry Swirl

Lemon Tart Brulee

Florida Pie

Honey Vanilla Panna Cotta with Lemon Curd

And, here’s one for the Easter Bunny!

Ultimate Carrot Cake

How about some Rumaki?

Or, Momofuku’s awesome chicken wings?

They go great with his Ginger Scallion Noodles.

Homemade Pita Chips are so much better than anything you can buy – and they are incredibly simple to make.

My Easy Sausage and Peppers Calzones are absolutely scrumptious and are made with refrigerated pizza dough – though, no one would ever guess!

Who doesn’t love a great sandwich?  The Rachel is just like a Reuben, except it’s filled with juicy hot pastrami instead of corned beef.

These Pacific Rim Burgers with Ginger Mayonnaise take a little prep time, but they are absolutely wonderful!  Seriously, I think they are my favorite burger of all time!

And, let’s not forget these adorable little Meatloaf Cupcakes!

Have a delicious Super Bowl Sunday!

Go Steelers!

Next Sunday is not just any old Sunday.  It’s Super Bowl Sunday!  If you’re anything like me, by kick-off time you’ll have a houseful of hungry football fans who need food.  And it had better be good food too.  Food-deprived, beer-soaked, Super Bowl revelers can be a dangerous thing!  Sure, you could open a bag of chips, order a pizza or some soggy chicken wings and call it a day, but I have a much better idea.  My easy peasy White Chicken Chili is made with a store-bought rotisserie chicken, can be prepared ahead and is utterly fantastic!

And, if you’re looking for a few other fab dishes to round out your Super Bowl buffet, here are few more great ideas from the SCGG archives. 

Who doesn’t love warm, crispy tortilla chips slathered with fresh Guacamole?

Or, with some Spicy Melon Salsa?

How about some Chorizo and Potato Huaraches…

or these sumptuous and velvety Enchiladas Suizas?

Everybody loves zesty Steak Fajitas…

and cute, little Smoky Chipotle Sliders!

If you’re really, really brave, you could impress with these Chiles Rellenos.

And, what’s a Super Bowl party without  a little dessert?

Wow your friends with these Candied Bacon Chocolate Chunk Cookies…

or these sinful Break-Up Bars!

These Nutella Rice Krispies Treats take five minutes to put together, and are so scrumptious!

Ditto for these peanut buttery Holycraptheseareamazing Cookies.

So, get your game on, Tex-Mex style, and start cookin’!

Well, here we are again.  Another year gone by and I honestly didn’t see it coming.  Seriously.  Where did the time go?  They say that time flies when you’re having fun.  If that’s true, then 2010 must have been one helluva nonstop party.  Too bad I can’t remember it!

I don’t usually make a lot of New Year’s resolutions.  Been there, done that.  I find that I usually break most of them by the end of January, and then spend the rest of the year beating myself up over it.  Who needs that kind of pressure?  I mean, I know that I’m never going to hoof it to the gym at 6:00 a.m. three times a week.  Almost everyone who knows me, knows it too.  So why set myself up for failure?    Instead, I try to set a few goals that I want to achieve, and work toward them in small, realistic increments.  I probably won’t be making many any pre-dawn visits to the gym. But, I might take Bella for an extra walk around the block from time to time.

The past twelve months have been a mixture of bitter and sweet for me.  I’ve had some wonderful new opportunities come my way, like my gigs writing for Edible Sarasota Magazine and the Tampa Tribune.  I’ve also had some not so wonderful things happen in my life, but I won’t bore you with the details.  A new year is on the horizon and that means a fresh start and a world of possibilities.  I have a feeling that 2011 is going to be my year.  I can taste it!  And, I hope you’ll all come along for the ride.

The slideshow below features my favorite SGCC recipes of 2010.  I’ve chosen one from each month.  Some may be familiar to you and some may be new.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing them with you.

January:  Ginger Scallion Noodles from Momofuku

February: Candied Bacon-Chocolate Chunk Cookies

March:  Honey-Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta

April:  Lemon Linguine with Basil Pesto Shrimp

May:  Piece Montée

June:  Chiles Rellenos

July: Bing Cherry Sorbetto

August: Sweet & Spicy Wickled Okra

September:  Homemade Refried Beans

October:  Vietnamese Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup

November:  Turkey Cutlets alla Milanese

December:  Russian Tea

Before I wrap up 2010, I’d like to leave you with a recipe for a great little snack to enjoy while you sip your champagne tonight.  My Sweet and Spicy Pecans are absolutely addictive and a breeze to make.  I included containers of them in my Christmas gift bags this year and they were a huge hit.  The beauty of this recipe is that you can adapt it in many different ways.  I used brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne and smoked paprika in my version, but you can use less sugar to make the nuts more savory, or switch up the spices however you like.   Not only are these pecans an incredibly delicious nibble, they can also be added to salads, veggies and lots of different baked goods.  Banana bread or apple muffins with spiced pecans, anyone?  Mmmm!

Thank you so much, dear readers, for your continued support of SGCC and of me.  I truly value each and every one of you.   I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.  May 2011 bring you all you ever dreamed of.

See you next year!