Next week marks another Mother’s Day. Honoring mothers includes
such simple things as a telephone call, a card and flowers or
spending the day with family. For many people, the meal is a Sunday
brunch at a local restaurant.
Next week marks another Mother’s Day. Honoring mothers includes such simple things as a telephone call, a card and flowers or spending the day with family. For many people, the meal is a Sunday brunch at a local restaurant. Like any major holiday, it includes crowds and high prices. For my family, Mother’s Day is a major event where the main entree is grilled.
Since I am not a mother, I was curious about how many feel on Mother’s Day. For some insight, I turned to some information from “Mothers and More,” an online networking site for mothers. Although many mothers feel like they were appreciated on Mother’s Day, many felt conflict as well. Some talked about receiving the “day off” from family duties. Mothers may receive a break for the time being, but they know that the next day, Sunday duties have piled up on the duties for Monday. Either way, mothers felt touched since their families took time to have a day just for them.
I did mention going for Sunday brunch. If it is a family tradition, by all means, go have brunch. If the individuals who are not mothers do not feel up to the challenge of cooking for the family and most importantly, cleaning up the mess afterwards, it is very advisable that you attend a brunch. Many restaurants have been advertising their brunches for more than two weeks. Check the advertisements and make reservations now.
Some men who do not know their way around the kitchen very well will be able to grill without much hesitation. This week’s column is written especially for you! Following a few simple tips will make the day much more enjoyable. It will also make you a hero in the eyes of your mother and other loved ones.
Innovations such as salad kits and pre-washed and sliced vegetables will make the remaining part of meal preparation easier. Many family members will not mind sharing jobs with the host. Ask them if they would like to contribute a favorite side dish to complement the meal.
Just like other large gatherings, have as much work as possible done in advance. If chicken is the main entree, as I am suggesting in this week’s recipe, have it washed the day prior. If you are serving a green salad and not using a salad kit, wash the salad and vegetables on Mother’s Day morning and assemble them in the bowl. Do not add items such as dressing and croutons until you are ready to serve. Try and find other ways of completing preparation of the meal in advance. It will mean less hurried and busy work as mealtime approaches.
Mother’s Day is a very special day in which all mothers should feel appreciated. Also, do not leave out any other special family members. If you have an aunt or cousin who has been there for you, make sure she feels appreciated too.
For this week’s recipe, I chose Lemon Pepper Chicken. It is a favorite in our family and has been a staple from our grill for many years. If you feel uncomfortable in the kitchen preparing my version of the marinade, by all means, use a commercially produced dry rub or sauce. Both give good results. However, my version is fresher since it takes advantage of real lemons, which are in season right now. Lemon juice and lemon zest add to the flavor of my version. The juice gives the chicken an overall mellow lemon flavor while the zest adds a little punch of brightness with its lemon oil.
There are a variety of ways to zest a lemon. A lemon zester and rasp work very well. If you do not have either item, you may use a vegetable peeler, then mince the peel until it is very fine. Which ever method you use, make sure you do not use the white pith as it will add a bitter flavor. It is also easier to zest the lemon prior to juicing it. Fresh cracked pepper from a pepper mill is preferred, but ground pepper will work fine too.
