In the Kitchen: Finding the JOY of cooking & 2 summer recipes

The past few days has found me in the kitchen...alot. Between Sunday morning and Monday evening, I had made, (in addition to Breakfasts and Lunches for 7 people), Apricot Brioche Chicken, Tarragon Potato Salad, Black Bean and Corn Salad, Homemade Fireroasted Salsa, 2 Cherry Delights, Chicken and Bacon clubs with homemade Chipotle Mayo and Sweet slaw.

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Sweet Slaw

Tarragon Potato Salad

Chipotle Mayo

My mom typically calls and says "I can't imagine how many dishes you do a week"...

and of course that picture was taken AFTER loading and unloading the dishwasher....TWICE! She will say "With 5 kids do you ever get out of the kitchen?" To which I reply, "Yes, I am also in the laundry room".  And we will have a chuckle and she will remind me that those little years, those "raising your family" years, go TOO fast.

Yes, there are alot of dishes.
But I don't mind. Because she is right. These years are flying by.
But these family meals, allow me to savor more of them.

 Last week, after a rather frustrating day with our two twin boys who have special needs, I had baked an apple pie. At dinner, after  I finished serving it, without notice, my one twin, Sean, YELLS  (startling everyone) "BravoMama. Thank you for pie.", and then proceeded to start clapping feverishly. To which all 4 of my other kids (and my darling husband) joined in, even the baby. In that moment, I completely and 100% forgot what I had been frustrated about. Dessert had been served. Life was good. Sean gave me an ovation, but what I received was gratitude. and motivation. and one of those feel good moments that are reserved for Mothers.

That was so worth the dishes.

I read a book once, (and I sooo wish I remembered the name of it) but it was about the service of hospitality and how we are first and foremost hostess to our families. We should find pride and service in taking care of our homes and families. There should be joy in cooking. We have a post of high position in God's eyes and we should give it rightful effort accordingly. I may never had a good French accent. I may never make a million dollars. But what I do for my family has worth. Homemaking is a royal endeavor. Never ever forget the value in what you do as a wife and a mother.

Here's my own recipe for homemade chipotle mayo.

Ingredients:

combine in a food processor:

2 cups mayo (or 4 if you want the mild version)
1 Tbs. chipotle peppers (usually sold in a 7oz can in the grocery store)
1/2 tsp lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (1/2 cup if you are making the mild version)

combine until smooth. I put ours in a tupperware and keep in the fridge. I am amazed the different things Mr. Darcy has found he likes to put this on.

Make a batch and keep in your fridge for sandwiches. Our favorite is to serve it on Chicken, bacon and swiss clubs with a side of sweet slaw. Warning: we live in the SW. This recipe is spicy, so if you like a milder condiment, be sure to double the mayo in the recipe from 2 cups to 4 cups and also double the cilantro.

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When I make chicken/bacon/swiss clubs, like I did last night, we love the chipotle mayo on them. Since it is packs alot of heat, I like to this slaw to compliment the heat with some sweet and cool. This is a great summer side and one of my kids favorites. The secret is the pineapple in the dressing. This is not an original recipe; i found it in a magazine (Simple and Delicious, May 2010).

Sweet Slaw: (serves 4)...I double it for our family size.

Combine:
4 cups premade coleslaw mix
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped celery and
 1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper in a serving bowl.

In a separate bowl, make your dressing by combining:
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup canned unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained
2 Tbsp. unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
2-4 tsp. sugar (to taste)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper.

Combine the dressing ingredients; pour over cabbage mixture and toss to coat. Chill until serving.

Family meals are an important part of , well, being a family. With the exception of tax season when my husband is working all kinds of crazy hours, we eat dinner as a family every night. Sunday family dinners are a big deal. I love these times. Jesus broke bread with his disciples; he didn't say "Hey, its so busy this week, lets hit the drive through". He sat. They sat. He talked. They listened. As a family, we need this time together.

Now....go have some fun in the kitchen!

Blessings,