LAst MInute Mom's Day Gifts

what do you get a  mom  home chef  or baker with only two days to Mother's Day? Surprisingly there are a lot of interesting and fun items that can be picked up in these last minutes. There's a wide range to select from cooking to baking, snacking to drinking.

Gadgets are always a fun gift. if mom is a whiz in the kitchen , then think of getting her the eight in one kitchen tool. This a a truly neat gift.It looks like a wine bottle but is a measuring cup and with it comes an egg separator, can opener,,funnel, spice and cheese graters and an egg masher. Does Mom love whipping up souffles or airy frostings? Get a whisk cleaner. This is a plastic circle with slits in it. Just push the whisk through it and the gunk comes off.Makes for a much cleaner whisk and less labor intensive than bending a sponge into all those small spaces. if your mother is a gambler and loves take out then get her take out dice. These are dice with images of pizza, ,hamburger and barbecue on them. Ii's a fun way of saying what shall we eat for lunch or dinner. Cat moms will go crazy over Purr Over Coffee brewer. Thus is a super cute coffee maker in the shape of a kitty.it is a two piece coffee maker that;s perfect at home or in the office. A chopper set is not only practical but it can be fun. It has three different sized blades for coarse and fine chopping. it also comes with a pull out draw to store the chopped veggies and fruits.

What about food or drink as last minute  present? Bakeries are the best place to go for a box of goodies.Mini croissants are always perfect. They can be turned into sandwiches or perfect for breakfast with a good jam or marmalade . A  box of chocolate dipped cookies is a great way to end a Mother's Day meal.  A mini cake is another nice just for you gift. She can have it all to herself and  enjoy a rich gooey treat.Candy is also a fun gift. Yes, you can go old school with a Whitman's Sampler which has everything under the sun. There are chocolate covered cashews and caramels along with nougats and coconut. If there's a good confectioner in your area, then visit them. They will have an amazing array of hand dipped caramels and truffles, perfect for the mom with gourmet tastes. Of course a bottle of wine or champagne will never be refused. A good Zinfandel or Shiraz will not go amiss. A bottle of Prosecco or Asti Spumante is perfect, especially for making mimosa at her brunch.

Don;t worry if you haven;t gotten Mom a gift yet. There is still time to pick up something she'll enjoy. It could a fin gadget , a tasty treat or a good bottle of wine or champagne.

Cioppino A San Francisco Classic

Cioppino defines the City By The Bay better than sourdough loaves. This Italian classic fish stew  has been identified  for over a century and if done right a great memento of time there. There's something about a blend of tomato sauce married to a variety of seafood all cooked together.

Regular contributor and cookbook author Tejal Rao wrote about this flavorful fish stew in today's New York Times Food section. This delicious dish is considered a cliche because it's  so often associated with San Francisco. May restaurants in the Bay area have fumbled with the recipe , relying on nostalgia and tradition  rather than innovation. This makes for a so-so stew. The dish is so charged with seafood kitsch that one eatery, the Ferry Building Hog Island Oyster Company doesn't even use the word.The dish  was already deemed as worn out by food critic Elizabeth Riely in the Times back in 1988. Another , Michael Bauer, of The San Francisco Chronicle wrote that it was a shadow if itself. However one chef, RoseAnn Grimm, owner of Sotto Mare gives her grandfather's recipe from Amalfi a modern twist. She adds one half cup of Bloody Mary mix and star anise to his recipe to spike it. Some take this spin on Ligurian fish stew, brought with the Ligurian fishermen who settled in the area and add different types of seafood. There is the Lazy Man's version made with canned crab instead of crab legs. 

You can easily make cioppino at home thanks to the recipe from Chef Grimm. Keep in mind that it is labor intensive but it's a great summer meal. The sauce is a classic marinara with the addition of the Bloody Mary mix. The star anise is the first thing toasted until fragrant. The sauce is classic marinara with a mix of   canned tomatoes and sauce along with the usual herbs of basil thyme and oregano.  The fish used are Dungeness crab clusters,, mussels, littleneck clams  and mussels. Use a firm fish like cod along with four large peeled tail on shrimp.  Everything is cooked in a Dutch oven for five minutes. The clams are then added , followed by the mussels . Put the pot's cover back and on let cook for a few minutes. Add the fish when the clams open The dish is always served with slices of toasted ciambatta bread spread with a garlic butter. This is also added to the stew. It's an easy cook of  roasting a big bulbs of Gilroy garlic  drizzled with olive oil and roasted for an hour in a 375 degree oven, Once cooled , discard the skins , mash in a food processor and add butter. The shrimp and more of this butter is added last and steamed . Serve in a deep bowl with a side of the garlic bread.

Cioppino is one of the flavors of San Francisco. Anyone can have this taste and enjoy the rich flavor of seafood and marinara sauce. It is a wonderful marriage of land and sea.

Sweet Treats For A Sweet Mom

 Mother's are known for their yummy sweet treats whether it's a batch of our favorite cookies or a plate of rich fudge. why not treat her with some homemade treats that give back the love.

Mom may be the maker of homey cookies like chocolate chip and oatmeal but what about baking her something fancy? Think aqua faba meringues . These are not only light and delicate but also vegan. The recipe doesn't need the usual egg whites but chickpea water or brine. It has the same protein as the egg whites and whips up nicely. A fun  flavor is coffee which is a nice perk for an afternoon snack. You could also make vanilla and chocolate ones too for a colorful plate. Strawberry ones are also a tasty and pretty treat. They do  require freeze dried strawberries turned into a powder. with these you can create that classic English dessert, Eton mess. This is layering the meringues with whipped cream and all sorts of berries from raspberries to strawberries and blueberries.. You could also bake vanilla meringues in rounds to create a pavlova. This Australian dessert is an upscale version of Eton mess but it's done in layers of whipped cream, and a mix of strawberries and blueberries. You can top it with a spray of edible flowers for extra prettiness.

Everyone loves candy. why not treat Mom to some homemade truffles. These are rich and creamy and can have many variations. It starts with eight ounces of chocolate bars. Don't  use chocolate chips because they won;t melt into truffle consistency. It's mixed with either heavy whipping cream or just heavy cream.If you're using milk chocolate reduce the cream to half a cup less because milk chocolate is softer. Use a scan t cup of softened butter too for extra creaminess and dash of vanilla for extra flavor. It's then just cooking the ingredients in a saucepan until completely blended. it's then put into the fridge for two to three hours to set. Afterwards  form into balls. Roll them in cocoa powder for an extra chocolate-y kick or chopped nuts. even crushed edible flowers provide a colorful coating.For a more boozy gift add some kahlua or orange liqueur. If you;'re making the kahlua one add espresso powder to bring out the coffee flavor. You can also add ground walnuts or almonds to the recipe too.

Treat Mom to some special homemade treats for her special. She'll love the flavor but also the love that went into them. It's time to give her some straight from the heart sweets.

Luxury Eating For Mom

 Mother's Day is all about pampering and treating Mom to something special. Why not treat her to some luxurious meals from  breakfast to lunch to dinner. She'll appreciate not just the time and effort but also those special recipes.

The most commonly made Mother's Day meal is breakfast. Nothing beats breakfast in bed. Make it even more special than eggs Benedict. This is actually nothing more than a breakfast sandwich with Hollandaise on it. The great thing about this recipe is that it can be varied. The original one calls for one one or two slices of Canadian bacon to be layered with sunny side up eggs. However think how Mom would react if you subbed in small filet mignon for the ham for a truly lush Mother's Day treat. If; she's  big seafood lover then think a crab or lobster Benedict. The last requites lobster tails to be cooked and shredded.  You could also do a take on the Southern shrimp and grits breakfast by adding shrimp to the  recipe too. Another idea is French toast.Yes, you could whip up the traditional sweet recipe but what about a savory one that would work well with a Bloody Mary? This is swapping the cinnamon and sugar for pepper and eggs. The basic ingredients are the same,  - a dense chewy bread like a sour dough , dunked in an egg and milk batter.Any kind of shredded cheese is then added on top.If you like add a smear of tomato jelly and top with bacon strips.

Of course this could also work for a lush lunch, especially when it's topped with slices of paper thin prosciutto. Serve with a red wine spritzer, which is just red wine mixed with a seltzer for a different but elegant lunch or supper.Grilling is usually a Father's Day activity but Mom can also have grilled meat. If the filet mignon was too much for breakfast then think of it as a nice Sunday lunch or supper idea. Marinate in olive oil and rosemary for extra flavor. first before cooking . Serve on warmed French or Italian bread. Again grilled shrimp and lobster are perfect . The shrimp can be turned into tasty kabobs , layered with cherry tomatoes and small onions. The lobster can be cut in half and remove the green insides or tomally  and break off the claws. (These can also be grilled) Drizzle with oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper..What would go with this? Try a simple spinach salad with a lemon vinaigrette or a tomato salad that can be spooned onto crusty rolls. Quiches are also a nice lunch or supper. They're easy to make yet rich in flavor and texture. They can be the traditional or a lovely veggie one.

Mom deserves the best on her day. make it special with lush meals she's sure to enjoy. Celebrate her with luxurious recipes.

A Warming Picnic

 These past few days haven't been Springlike. There's still a wintry chill in the air despite the blooming flowers and bright sunshine.It's still a nice time to gou outside for a picnic, just bring warm food.

A picnic with hot food is an easy gather. You can always buy a whole roast chicken just from the rotisserie at any of your local grocery stores. Pack a sharp carving knife so you can cut slices for sandwiches.  Another idea is bringing buckets of assorted pieces from Popeyes' or KFC along. Make sure you have plenty of wet wipes for afterwards. Of course a barbecue is another way of having warming food on an outing. There's the usual fare of hot dogs and hamburgers but you could also bring steaks or wursts for something different. if you want gravy for the steak, heat it up before hand at home, and then pour into a thermos. This creates a tasty French dip sandwich , perfect for chasing away a a Spring chill. To accompany the meat  think baked potatoes. You can roast them either with or without foil. One usually takes forty -five minutes to an hour  to thoroughly cook through If you want a faster cook precook them for about five to six minutes in the microwave before leaving home.

What about sides? Can they be hot as well? yes. You can easily whip up a hot potato salad and then put it in a container in an insulated bag.  To make this, it's cooking the potatoes in a vinegar and oil mix along with sauteed  chopped onions, flour sugar salt, celery salt and pepper. Bacon gives it an added kick of flavor but you can omit it if you want.  Another side is sauteing  cannelini beans with spinach and garlic.This can also be put into a container and carried to the picnic. A lighter hot picnic can be soup in a thermos with hot grilled bread. You can either make the soup yourself or just heat up cans of Campbells' or Gardein and pour into a thermos.What do you drink it out of? Get a set of camping coffee mugs on Amazon. A set of six stainless steels ones is only $15.99. These are great because they  can be easily rinsed out too. Use these for hot tea, coffee or hot cocoa that you can bring along too. These are the perfect ends to a hot picnic at the park or beach. Bring slices of plain pound cakes or shortbread cookies to end the meal.

Yes it's a chilly Spring right now. Yet you can still enjoy a meal in the fresh air. Just make it a hot one for a more enjoyable experience.

Small Parties Everywhere

 May is almost upon us and that means a slew of parties, from showers to graduation celebrations. it is time to celebrate yet many don't like the idea of big crowds. What do do? Go small. A gathering of only a few people over a series of days is better than a big do.

This is the season for bridal and baby showers. You can scale them down to six to ten people at a time. This makes for easy prepping cooking and clean up. Hosts can spend more time on cooking a smaller variety of nibbles and hors d'ouevres. Showers can have individual mini quiches. These are smaller than the usual nine inch ones and bigger than the appetizer ones. You can customize them with guests' favorite ingredients .Make a bacon and cheddar for one guest and two or three veggies for those who want a vegetarian version. Another great idea for a smaller party is serving Cornish game hens.  All you would need would be three or four for a small party. They can be easily spatchcocked and grilled on an outdoor grill. Think a honey mustard glaze for more flavor. Serve with timbales of rice and minced portabella mushrooms. A simple salad with a vinaigrette is s lovely side. You don't have to go crazy making a huge one. An average sized one will do nicely for a small gathering. As for desserts, think little tea cakes or a tray of prettily colored macarons or meringues.

Graduation parties, especially college ones have always been splashy with kegs and endless burgers on the grill. Suppose the grad leans towards a more intimate get together? Throw a small outdoor party under the backyard trees. You can still have grilled meats but instead of hot dogs and hamburgers, think filet mignons Just slice and marinated in a mix of olive oil, lemon and rosemary. The slices can be put on grilled sliced baguettes. London Broil can also be put on the grilled. Again for a moister meat marinated in olive oil for a juicier bite.  A truly memorable graduation meal for a small crowd is grilled lobster tails.  They're an easy outdoor cook which can be made in under twenty minutes. If lobster is a tad expensive then think of marinated shrimp kebobs for a tasty party meal.Intersperse with onions and grape tomatoes for a fun colorful look. Keep the sides simple. A plain garden salad is your best bet.Add some radishes and bell pepper strips for some color. As for the cake, think a delicate pavlova , a confection of meringue , whipped cream and fresh fruit  layered to airy perfection. You can also think a Bundt cake  that can be served with ice cream.

Little parties are the way to go these days. Think about an intimate dinner , small on guests but big on flavor.It makes for a more memorable gathering all will enjoy.

Happy Gummy Birthday

 There is one candy in every Gen X'ers and Millennium's life that cries childhood. That is Gummy Bears. These classics are celebrating their one hundredth (!!!) birthday this year.

Restaurant critic and new contributor Mahira Rivers wrote about this candy shop staple in yesterday's New York Times Food section. Haribo has been a part of German life for the last century thanks Hans Riegel who adapted a recipe for fruit flavored pastilles to create the first gummy bears. The densely chewy  gelatin based gummies were modeled after real life dancing bears , a form of entertainment at the time. They were rebranded as Goldbears. Gummy candy didn;t take off in America until 1981. It was then that the Herman Goetlitz Candy Company, later renamed Jelly Belly introduced the first American made gummy bear. Haribo cane to the States a year later. The Indiana based company Albanese introduced their version in 1983 and soon after there were gummy everythings. from Trolli's wriggly worms to Mondelez' Sour Patch Kids. Not surprisingly Disney was added to the mix in 1985 thanks to its' medieval themed adventures of the Gummi family in the animated series "Adventures of The Gummi Bears". The pandemic also boosted sales with people comforting themselves with turning to the candy for solace. Sales of chewy candies hit a record high of 4.6. billion in 2021.

The candies are part of the American scene now. There are gummy bear pool floats along with strings of gummy bear lights for parties.The little treats are even gracing other sweets such as raspas - Mexican shaved ice dessert and dulces enchilados a Mexican American snack of chamoy - a sweet and savory paste made with dried fruit and chili. Ashley Garza and her boyfriend Adrian Martinez  m ixes the bears along with other gummy candy like watermelon belts with a generous drizzle of the chamoy followed by a liberal sprinkling of tart chili seasoning. Gummies are a large part of a candy charcuterie platter too according to Elizabeth Bond owner of the Ruby Bond Candy Company. She expertly layers various shapes onto plastic trays to create a sweet charcuterie platter.There are lines of not just bear but also stars,butterflies and other chewy bites. Gummy bears are not without controversy. Haribo used "forced labor" during World War Two, after it declined to donted money to support surviving former enslaved workers.. As recent as 2017, there were allegations that slave labor was being used on the Brazilian plantations that supplied the carnauba wax that helps in creating a non sticky surface. Now the company uses beeswax which may cause future controversy.

Gummy bears have hit their centennial. Their chewy goodness have gladdened the heart s of kids around the world for ten decades now. They'll keep on making little - and big ones happy.