A Mother’s Love: Legendary Family Recipes

They say that it’s a challenge to master an heirloom recipe and make it the way mom does. However it’s difficult to deny that there is sacredness to family recipes and accomplishment in mastering them the way mom or grandma did. In imagining Mother’s Day gatherings full of love, laughter, flowers and food, we are reminded that each dish tells a unique story.

In reflecting, what foods have fed your heart and spirit? What story does each spice, scent or bite trigger? What ingredients are you most connected to? Recalling each recipe grandma or mom has passed down, what memories do they inspire? What life events remain timeless when you recreate your favorite variation on the themes of such recipes? As you pay homage to your mother’s legendary recipes, allow yourself to connect with each story. Here’s a family favorite my mom has shared with me:

Mom’s Curry Chicken

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 (3 pound) chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 large onion, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 large potatoes – peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1/4 cup Jamaican curry powder

**Optional: ¾ chopped scotch bonnet pepper. (Use with caution. It’s extremely hot!)

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Cook the chicken, onions, scotch bonnet, and garlic until the chicken has browned–about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in potatoes, salt, and curry powder; add enough water to cover the chicken halfway.
4. Cover, and simmer until tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Season to taste with hot pepper sauce.

Capturing such memories and retelling them to audiences fond of family and food brings people together as any holiday would.