One of the best things my mother taught me was that food could bring the greatest comfort in times of trouble, and joy, and every other time actually. Hence my passion and downright obsession with food - shopping, cooking, experimenting, eating, writing and talking about it.
She could make canned tomato soup seem like a delicacy, maybe because she had this amazing ability to make me feel like the most special person in the world when she served it to me, in my bed, on a tray with a pretty tea towel and napkin. A few saltines sat alongside the bowl, which I'd crumble in my hands and they'd slowly soften in the warm soup and spread their salty goodness into each bite.
The other thing she would make for me when I wasn't feeling well was soft-boiled eggs with buttered toast fingers. She would put the egg in a little china egg cup and cut the very top off, add a little salt and pepper, leaving just enough space for the toast finger to slide down into the oozing, warm yolk. How could something so simple bring such joy?
One of my favourite sweet memories was her lemon custard, which she made when I'd had a bad day. I have the recipe and still haven't been able to master it, but maybe I'll give it a shot tomorrow. It's made with fresh lemons (of course) and a bit of flour, sugar and egg (I think), cooked in little ramequins in a bain marie (water bath) so the tops become caramelized, the edges are slightly cakey, and the centres are sweet and smooth and cool (after they've been refrigerated, obviously). Pure heaven, I'm telling you. I'll give them another try then I might even share the recipe if anyone's interested in testing it out.
I have to admit there were times I acted a little sicker than I actually was, because I knew there was a little tray of tea and homemade treats waiting to be delivered to my bed or the couch. Here's to the hypochondria and weight struggles that were inspired by my beautiful and loving mother. This blog is for her, and my grandmothers and aunts...the women who fed me with love and loved me with food.
i love your blog,you tell a wonderful story about your life, the way your mother made you feel when you were not feeling well. it seems to me that your mother was the queen in your life. I am so so happy for you. Follow your dream my love,i cannot wait to read more. i love you very much.
ReplyDeleteYour descriptions paint a wonderfully warm picture of your special relationship with your mother. They take me back to how felt when I was a little girl and how special it felt to be home alone with my Mom when I was sick.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to making both the roasted sweet potato salad and the lemon custard,