The Best Meals of My Life!

As a foodie, you may wonder what I consider the best meals of my life.  You may expect a top 10 lists, but today I want to talk about some very special meals - the ones made every Sunday by my mother.  For was long as I can remember my mother has prepared Sunday lunch for the family.  When I was younger, it would be something quick since she had 5 children to get ready for Sunday school and church.  It would either be hot dogs or sloppy joes.  I would spend time in church trying to remember which Sunday it was (hot dog or sloppy joe Sunday) and anticipating those simple - but delicious meals.  As we began to grow up and leave the house, mother began preparing more complicated meals.  She started preparing things like roast and gravy with mashed potatoes or lasagna or stewed chicken with rice and potato salad.  She also always had a dessert - cake, pie, banana pudding, Mississippi mud pie, etc.  She did all of this while never being late for Sunday school and having it ready for the hungry family after church.  A combination of crockpots and over timers have helped over the year.  Now you may think that she could not possibly continue to do this every week, but at 76 years old she is still at it.


Mom's 76th Birthday Party at Middendorf's

She is an amazing women and she does it because of her love for the family.  She knows that by having lunch for us each Sunday, it will increase the chance that we attend church (since we don't have to worry about cooking ourselves).  It will also increase the chances that we would stay close as a family.  The brothers, sisters-in-laws, and nieces and nephews have spent time together that we probably would not have spent.  Family members also know that they can bring their friends with them - especially if the friends go to church with us before lunch.  Everyone is welcomed in Betty's house on Sunday and you can feel it.  You know the sad part is that we won't truly appreciate the lunches until after they are gone.

As you know, I host exchange students and everyone of them will tell you that one of things they miss the most when they leave are the Sunday lunches at mom's.  Here are some pictures from those Sunday lunches and I hope that you can get an idea of how special they are. 

 

 

The best meals in life are the ones made with love.  Thanks Mom for loving us enough to spend time each week making us a meal so that we can have great memories like these.

Besh Box!

Besh Box Update (Feb. 2015):  The Besh Box was discontinued in April of last year.  Although I was disappointed, I have tried other subscription food boxes and will be posting about them in the near future.

Original Post:

Guess what?  One of my favorite chefs, John Besh - see previous posts - has begun a monthly food lovers box.  Described as the ultimate gift for a foodie, I had to buy it for myself.  There are several plans, but I wanted the monthly plan that included a copy of his new book.  Here is a link to the site for more information and to sign-up for a plan.  http://beshbox.com/

It took about three weeks before the first box came and I could hardly wait.  I felt like a child at Christmas again.  What would be in it?  I received notice that it had shipped and a few days later, there it was.

I rushed inside to open it up and this is what it looked like:



The card inside listed all of the contents.  I almost missed the one of the most exciting things - the vanilla bean - because if was wrapped up.  Didn't look for it until I saw the card.  Although I was excited to get it, I have not done much with the items yet.  Part of the problem is that I want to do something special - especially with the pecans and vanilla beans - and I can't decide.  Right now I am leaning toward a vanilla bean cheesecake with pecan pralines.  I'll keep you posted on what I do.  #beshbox

Buyer Beware!

I consider myself an educated person, but there are times when I get taken advantage of and feel very stupid. I then get angry and realize that some restaurants only think about making money.  What they don't realize is that when you think of doing what it right by the customer you will probably make more money because of repeat business.  As you know a good time to try expensive restaurants is at lunch.  You get the atmosphere, service, and many times a similar menu for a less expensive price.  However, BE CAREFUL. I have been burnt twice (you think I would have learned from the first time - but they were separated by 10 years.)  The first time was a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  At the time it was a local steak chain know for great steaks and hefty prices.  I had been treated there once for dinner, but had not been back.  A friend said that they had reasonable lunches so I thought I would try it.  The waiter comes to the table and shares the specials with us, one of the specials was a cowboy rib eye - oh boy one of my favorites.  I didn't ask the price but assumed that since it was a special for "lunch" that it would be reasonable.  I know you can guess what happened.  It was regular dinner prices - somewhere around $40.  Well, I said to myself I would never make that mistake again, but guess what?

A couple of weeks ago I found the new Galatoire's Bistro in Baton Rouge.  It was related to the famous New Orleans restaurant that I had eaten at before.  I remembered that lunch was a good time to eat at expensive restaurant and so I went.  I look at the lunch menu - in fact they had a three course special for 19.99.  Alright, I had found a deal.  The waiter came and shared the "specials".  One sounded good to me - spaetzle and filet tips. Since I had been to Germany and fell in love with spaetzle, I ordered that.  I also ordered a salad.  When I got my entrée I had no clue yet that I had made the same mistake twice.  A small bowl of spaetzle with beef tips appeared - perfect size for lunch.  With the salad it was just enough.  Well guess what happened when I got the check.  The special was $28.00 which along with the salad and ice tea came to $40.00.  I was taken aback and felt taken advantage of again. Don't restaurants know that people assume that specials at lunch should follow the pricing of lunch?  The only thing I can think of is that they do it on purpose.  They dare people to ask the price - you know the saying:  if you have to ask you can't afford it.  So my advice when presented specials at lunch is to ask the price.  If you are going to pay dinner prices you might as well go at dinner.