Momma's Cooking

My mother makes the most amazing Coq-Au-Vin (meaning chicken with wine), and she obliged me on Saturday. Amazing as ever. Try it out: Coq-Au-Vin Recipe

I remember the first time she made it. I was 8 or 10 at the time, and a very picky eater. I refused to eat mushrooms. She cooked them in, and I was halfway through the dish when I realized something had a texture that I didn't recognize. I've been hooked on Coq-Au-Vin 'Purple Chicken' ever since. Mushrooms and I still have a rocky relationship.

I'm sure I'm not the only one to think that my cooking will never catch up to hers. She can take a hunk of meat and turn it into the most amazing, moist, delicious pot roast I've ever had. On the other hand, I can brown it up, add garlic and onions, stick it in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours, and it still never tastes great. Edible, good even, just not amazing. It's so simple to her. She just 'does it'.

Post your favorite dish from childhood in the comments below!

Visitors from afar.

Our dear friends Victor and Mau were in town from Costa Rica this weekend. Victor is a dear friend of many years. His wife, Mau, had never left Costa Rica, and this was her first visit to the United States. She knows enough English to get along, but a few times Victor had to explain a joke or conversation in order to help her catch up. It was always funny to see Mau turn to Victor, get caught up in Spanish, then laugh. We had a great time playing cards at Nanny's house. She was happy to have them stay with her.

We play a card game called Canasta. If you aren't familiar with it, here is a link to instructions on how to play--http://rummy.com/canasta.html
It's very popular in my mother's home town of Lubbock, TX.
Although there are many rules and variations, once learned, this game is addictive. I've never played with more than 4 people, but it certainly sounds like fun.