family days…
My mother’s birthday is legendary, these last few years, as we return home for the summers to Connecticut from our schoolyear months in London. She makes the long trek from Indiana, with my dad and brother, every August, to take up residence with my sister and her family, who live providentially close, a short car journey away. Such a far cry from the many hours’ time difference, not to mention the enormous pond that separate us, for so many months of the year. For a few short days, we are all together! My dad’s twinkling eye, my brother’s endless appetite, and my mother’s gentle humor and pride in us all seem to bubble inside me like a shaken-up seltzer bottle, so much to absorb and enjoy, such a short time.
And that means John’s mom, too, who brings her own magic to the occasions… camera at the ready, always prepared to pull up and enjoy whatever someone else is passionate about at that moment. John’s iPad? Now she has one, a gift from him, and they share the joy. Avery’s love of Coldplay? She will watch endless music videos. My piles of garlic and peppers and bottles of olive oil? She takes up a knife and makes short work of whatever needs to be done. Kittens to be admired? That’s easy.
She is the ultimate recorder of all that happens to us, and thankfully gives me endless stacks of photo albums so I can keep us all between the pages, to be remembered…
Last night was crab cakes, OMG, at my sister’s house (see the recipe in my beloved index!) to welcome the weary travelers from Indiana… and lemon bars, made amazingly by me, with Rosemary’s help, as the birthday cake. And would you believe, I can screw up even a perfect Ina Garten recipe? And yet… readers, they were delicious. I actually accidentally doubled the amount of flour in the crust, but I can say, hand on heart, it didn’t matter. They were perfect. So think seriously about screwing it up yourself!
Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars
(makes 24 bars)
- 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup flour
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2‑inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2‑inch edge on all sides. Chill.
Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.
For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.
Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners’ sugar.
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So TART! Lovely. Perfect for a birthday evening.
We’ve been having adventures! The kittens have been taken to the dreaded vet for their spaying and vaccinations, nail clipping and (I suspect) teeth whitening, since they look like Scarlett Johansson when they smile. And tonight the whole family gathered around for burgers and ribs on the grill, and the most wonderful grilled vegetables. Take a look at their before and after photographs…
For the marinade you want:
3 tbsps each: sesame oil, olive oil
Fox Point Seasoning
Simply rub this all over:
eggplant, sweet peppers, zucchini, hot peppers
Grill on a medium heat for 15–20 minutes, turning twice… so simple. These vegetables are velvety, fresh, they retain all their color and personality, and are so perfect a foil for a rich, cheesey burger. Summer.
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And my telly programme has aired! John has been the ultimate clever bunny and posted just the bits where I feature, and without the name of the programme itself, and you can find it here. Enjoy, until someone decides I’ve violated something and takes it down! I had an amazingly delightful time filming, and simply ignore the side ponytail… it was a week-long aberration and just happened to occur during the one day OF MY LIFE when I was on telly. I think it makes me look about twelve. Ah, well, I liked being twelve, so experiencing it twice can’t be too terrible.
I must collapse. Tomorrow will be an entire day of cooking, because Sunday, heaven help me, 35 or so people will descend on my house to celebrate its 200th anniversary! My mother will be celebrating her birthday too, but I’m too nice a daughter to publish her age on my blog, or for that matter, in frosting. And my dearest friend Becky and two of her three girls will be here with us, houseguests from North Carolina… there’s been an orgy of new sheets and pillowcase-buying, and tomorrow will be housecleaning too, to make everything gorgeous for my darlings. I’ll fill you in on the festivities when I’ve recovered, which could be.. awhile.
A wonderful post…Mothers, family, you on the telly and kitties with Scarlett Johansson smiles.
Life should always be this sweet.
Shelley, I couldn’t agree more… and tomorrow, you’ll be here! Happy days!
Wow, it was great to watch the clip. Congratulations! Your soup looked great and so did you. Do you plan on incorporating any of the changes suggested by the judges for the next round?
Min
Watched the video. One word.…YIPPEE! Great job and you looked great, side ponytail included.
Pick a day to come visit. Just let me know when. Maybe I’ll make dunkey stew.
So glad you go to see it! You know, Dunkey Stew was my second choice for what to cook, but they already had SO many recipes for it… I will let you know when we can come… right now house FULL of guests and more expected… I promise no side ponytail when I see you. Otherwise you might put a saddle on me.
My daughter and I watched the video — EXCITING. So glad that you won! When do you have the next competition? Also, are you going to change the seasoning/acidity of the recipe as the judges advised?
Well, Bee, rats to that competition, because the producers eliminated half of us London winners behind the scenes for the regionals. But that was good because I would have had to come back from CT. And let me tell you, a little lemon juice MADE that soup!