Friends and Mothers

As Mother’s Day approaches, I wanted to do something special to honor the most important women in our lives.  Knowing the role that my own mom played in shaping my culinary identity, I wanted to ask some friends about their mothers. You may know Nicole Miller as a fashion superstar and Jill Zarin as a reality goddess from Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York City. Like me, they have maternal ties to the kitchen. I’m so honored that they shared their precious memories with me.

Mother of  Nicole Miller

Nicole’s parents met at the end of World War II, in France. Luckily, when the war ended their love did not. Nicole’s father moved to Paris to win her mother over, which he did. Once married, they moved to the US when her mother was about 26. Being the late 1940s, it was rather difficult for her to find any of the foods she grew up with in France. So, she began to cook those dishes herself. Nicole’s memories of her mom’s cooking are the very classic French dishes; a rich Beef Bourguignon, slow-cooking Coq au Vin, and her favorite was a Lamb Stew made using lamb ribs and white beans. But the icing on the cake, was actually the pie. Her mother loved to bake a great pie—starting with her own crust, which was always a little salty to balance out the sweet filling. Nicole’s mother can no longer make these dishes for her, but Nicole continues to try recreating them. Her spirit lives on, even if the dishes are never quite the same.

Mama Kamen in the Kitchen

Some kids are ambivalent about their mother’s cooking—as if it were just another chore. But, Jill Zarin always admired her mother, Gloria’s skill in the kitchen. Like many families at the time, Jill’s had dinner together at the same time every night. While the menu changed most nights, there were a couple of Jewish standards that made the rotation every week: London broil and Fried Chicken. In addition to Gloria’s brisket, Jill also loved her mother’s Orange Chicken, which was a dish she made using the duck sauce-like Saucy Susan condiment. The chicken would crisp up in the oven and seal in all that flavor. While Jill remembers there were always vegetables on the table, she can’t remember which ones because she never ate them herself!

Jill and her Mother

My Mom’s Veggies

Meanwhile, the vegetables are what I want to celebrate! While my mother had many exceptional recipes for meats, sweets, and everything in between, when I think of mom in the springtime, I think green. We too had family dinner every night at 5 o’clock no matter what. We also had many roasts, and plenty of fried chicken, not to mention the many cookies that graced our dessert plates. But when my mother moved to California, she would get the freshest artichokes and asparagus that became even more memorable for me than some of those heartier dishes. She didn’t have to do much to them before they were singing with the flavors of the season. To this day, I cook artichokes regularly to nourish my body and my soul to connect with those memories of her.

Recipes and Memories from Mother

So, whatever you choose to do this Mother’s Day, I hope that you can create your own lasting memories for your children, or that you’re able to reflect on some of your own from your childhood. At the very least you can borrow our memories for inspiration in your own kitchen this spring.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Pernod-Scented Artichokes with Black Olive Aioli
Pernod-Scented Artichokes with Black Olive Aioli
Print Recipe Pernod-Scented Artichokes with Black Olive Aioli
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

Pernod-Scented Artichokes

  • 4 large artichokes
  • 2 cups white wine
  • 1 small yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon Pernod
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • Black Olive Aioli, for serving, see recipe below

Black Olive Aioli

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 12 pitted black Greek olives (Kalamatas), halved
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed through a press
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Artichokes

  • In a large, nonreactive pot, put in one quart of water and the lemon slices. 
  • Trim ½ inch off the stem and top ends of the artichokes. Use a peeler to peel the tough skin off the stem of the artichoke. Pull off the toughest outer leaves. With the kitchen scissors, cut off the prickly points of the remaining leaves. As you finish trimming each artichoke, place it in the lemon water so it doesn’t brown. 
  • Put the wine, onion, lemon slices, oil, garlic, peppercorns, Pernod, bay leaves and salt in the pot with the artichokes. Add more water (if necessary) to cover the artichokes and set over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat slightly, cover, and simmer briskly until the artichokes, when tested with the tip of a paring knife from the stem end, are tender, about 50 minutes. 
  • Drain well and pull apart the leave slightly so that the artichoke looks like a flower. Serve warm, with a small bowl of the aioli, for each diner, for dipping.

Black Olive Aioli

  • Place all ingredients in a small food processor. Blend with short bursts of power just until thoroughly mixed; good-sized pieces of olive should remain. Transfer to a bowl, adjust the seasoning and stir to mix. Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Return to room temperature if chilled before using. 
    Makes about 1 cup.