...the daughter of Mama Chefwannabe

Good Sunday evening friends.  I know that about now, I would be asking you all what was for Sunday supper, who you shared it with and all that kind of nosey stuff.  The truth is, I haven't had the desire to cook a single Sunday supper in over a month.  I can barely just fix something for my husband to eat on a weekday, I just am not feeling myself, and hope you all understand.

I feel like I need to tell you all about Marlene Smith.  What a smart, funny, diva, demanding, kind hearted, beautiful, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, daughter, friend, and neighbor she was.  I hate using the word "was".  It makes it seems like she is history and forgotten.  She was a fighter, with a will to live unlike anything I have seen.  She struggled, life held many struggles for her, and it held even more joy, she wouldn't want to talk about the struggles, she would just want to remember what she learned from them and how to not repeat them.  I miss her so much.  Let me start at the beginning...........

My mom was born in 1933.  She lived to the royal age of 82 (83 in July).  She grew to be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.  She had many careers, she was a model (woo-woooooo), she was a teacher, she was a waitress, she was a secretary, but most importantly she was the mom of 10 children.  As the youngest of the 10, she always referred to me as her "baby".  I hated it.  I hated it so much, I would give my left arm to hear her say it just one more time!

My mom struggled.  Her and my dad who came just 9 months short of their 60th anniversary, were not wealthy in money.  Wealthy in love, and family, but monetarily, very, unwealthy.  My mom struggled with some emotional issues, arthritis, and a few other chronic issues.  My mom was not a perfect mom, I don't know anyone who is.  My mom was the best mom she could be, and she grew to be an even better mom with age.  Hers AND ours.  My mom and I didn't always get along great in my teen years, I don't know many teen girls who don't butt heads from time to time.  I even went a handful of years without speaking to my mom.  What a WASTE.  I can never get that time back and the truth be told.........I don't even remember what it was about!  Likely some bad choice I made that I didn't want to own up to.  Man, I have made plenty of those.  I realized pretty early in my 30's, that my mom was a wealth of wisdom and knowledge and love.  I decided instead of avoiding her at all cost, I should be spending every chance I could, spending time with her to learn everything I could from her.  I had so much to learn!  And before I knew it, I realized she was no longer just my mom she was becoming my best friend.  We spent a lot of time together and talked about many things.  We talked about the past, we dreamed about the future, and we watched LOTS of "Little House On The Prairie".

I learned so much about cooking from her.  We would laugh about how she could make 1 lb of ground beef and 2lbs of macaroni and her canned tomatoes feed all 12 of us.  How we would be on a treasure hunt for an actual piece of ground beef!  How she would add water to soup to make it go further!  Any meat she had leftover was going to undoubtedly become a ground up sandwich spread.  I curse those damn meat grinder inventors!  She made homemade spaghetti sauce like a dream.  It took her an entire day to cook.  I never knew you could even buy it in a store until I was 20 years old!  Cinnamon rolls, kolaches, meatloaf, and fried chicken were her claims to fame.  Nobody can TOUCH the woman's fried chicken, NOBODY.  I got to eat the ends of the rolls of cinnamon rolls that weren't perfect, and we used to eat raw ground beef and hot dogs, oh the things we did.
She always had a pitcher of ice tea in the fridge for friends dropping by.  She was a woman with manners and expectations of others manners, like a queen.  She always knew what fork to use,  the perfect lipstick color, and precisely what jewelry complimented an outfit.  I loved all of those things about her.

In mid January, my mom suffered a small stroke at home.  We drove to their house 4 hours away and after much resistance got her to agree to go to the hospital.  I had no idea the journey was not going to end in her return home, but her return HOME.  She suffered a few more strokes of ranging degrees of intensity.  She endured a brain surgery, set backs, successes that led nowhere and she still fought on.  She suffered physical pain, inability to eat, or speak, and looking back, she never waivered.  She continued to fight, until at last, it was time for her to close her eyes and open them back up in heaven.  I was not ready, none of us were ready, how can you EVER be ready?  The day she left she took a piece of all of us with her.  I don't know what life will be like in the future.  I don't know how I will feel tomorrow.  I know how she would want us to live our lives, but sometimes, grieving just has to happen.  I don't know when I will be done, or if I will ever be really done.  I know the day I get to see her beautiful face again, can't come fast enough.  I want the world to know she was here, and because she was here, the world is a better place.



I know there is no sense to these mad ramblings of a girl missing her mom, but, I just wanted to put a few things down.  She was awesome.  She was funny.  She was bitchy sometimes.  She was strong, opinionated, and full of love.  She expected the best, and always was striving for it.  She expected no less from her children.





I hope I made her proud.  I hope she was as proud to be my mom as I was to be her daughter, and I hope she knows, that with or without her on this earth, she will always be my best friend.

March 2, 2016 changed my life forever.  How it is changed is yet to be determined.  I pray everyday I can turn this sad, dark, lonely, lost feeling into joy, happy memories and determination.  Right now, it just feels lonely. 

I miss you my beautiful momma bear!  Thank you for being my mom AND my friend.

Sweet Garlic Chicken Drumsticks

Did you get stuck with the drumsticks as a kid?  WHY do people just ASSUME kids want or will eat, drumsticks?  My mom makes the best fried chicken this side of the continental divide and every dang time, when I was little I got served up a drumstick.  Please tell me this wasn't just at my house when I was a kid.  Tell me the rest of the children of the world got shafted of a choice and just got drumsticks too!?

Well, as luck would have it, in my older, young age, I love them.  I love white meat, I love dark meat, and now, I actually WANT drumsticks.  I have kind of been on a kick of trying to bring you recipes with affordable ingredients.   Chicken drumsticks are ALWAYS on sale at my food store and I thought I would grab some and make something delicious.  I can't help that it involves garlic, that is just something weaved into my genetic code.   My husband loves "sweet" with meat, which is not one of my favorite flavor combinations.  However, as I was taking these babies out to thaw, I was reminded of a wing recipe my sister Anne (#5) used to make, or made for me a couple of times, SO long ago.   So without asking her, because I know she will never remember, I thought to myself, "self, you can just do what you think she did".  And I did.  And it is awesome.

This is a great weeknight meal, quick and easy, and budget friendly.  A one dish pony, that is sure to please, because even when you think you don't have a choice, you find yourself choosing drumsticks!

Sweet Garlic Drumsticks:
12 drumsticks (use more or less and either double the recipe for sauce or keep it the same even if you use less)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (divided)
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp black pepper

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 

In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup of your vegetable oil.  Salt and pepper your drumsticks well, and in batches, brown them in your skillet, on all sides.  You aren't cooking them through, you are just creating a nice brown crust.  When they are browned, place into a casserole dish that is large enough to hold the amount of chicken you are using. Set aside. 

In a small bowl combine remaining vegetable oil (1/4 cup), brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, honey and black pepper.  Whisk until completely combined and pour over chicken sparingly.  Using a pastry brush, brush each piece of chicken with sauce you drizzled, and then pour over more of the sauce.  Leave a small amount in the bowl if desired to brush over chicken when it is removed from the oven.  Not necessary but an option.  Bake for 35-45 minutes, make sure you have a safe internal temp of 165 degrees F.

Enjoy this easy, but delish chicken dish!  

Your "finger lickin' chicken lovin" Chefwannabe

Chicken and 3 Cheese Manicotti

I think SPRING is finally here!  I mean as it stands the snow is nearly ALL gone, and our pattern here in Nebraska, is when it is gone, it is time for more.  Please, mother nature I beg you, NO MORE SNOW!  Hoping you had a wonderful Easter and the Easter Bunny was good to you! 

I am on a use up streak.  How do all these things get pushed to the back, the corners, the bottom of the fridge, cupboards and pantry, freezer??  I keep thinking how spoiled and blessed we are to be able to buy food, we forget we bought.  So this recipe was born out of using up what I have on hand, and it sure stretches a buck, using 1 lb of ground chicken to feed 4-5 people.  Before you ask....Yes, you can use ground pork or ground beef.  I prefer chicken, and always try to use ground chicken breast when I can.  I only buy it when it is on sale or in the "used meat" section.  HA.  That is what my dad always called marked down meat when we were kids.  It stuck I guess. I figure if I am going to go home and use it the same day or the next day or pop it in the freezer, it is fine, and I am taking advantage of the mark downs.  I urge you to do the same.   I also find ground chicken breast a healthier option although with all this cheese, I am not sure it matters!!  Yes it does, it is real food, made at home, and that alone makes it 10 steps ahead of anything store bought!

On the cheese, use what you like.  I did use whole ricotta but change it to skim if you like.  I had bought ricotta for something else that didn't pan out, so to speak.  The grated cheeses, the same, if you want to change it up or you only have Colby or muenster or parm, use it!  This as always is my recipe, my method, when you choose to make it, it is your recipe, just use my method, because you know it is the best. (ok stop laughing), anything is possible once it gets into your hands, so be creative or make it word for word, either way you won't be disappointed!

Chicken and 3 Cheese Manicotti
1lb ground chicken
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and Pepper
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
2-3 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
1 egg
2-3 cups crushed tomatoes or your favorite marinara
1 box Manicotti Shells (14 shells)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  In a skillet, place ground chicken, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste.  Brown until chicken is completely cooked through.  Set it aside and let it cool. 

While that is happening, bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil, add in plenty of salt to the water and a drizzle of oil.  Place shells in and cook according to package directions.  When they are done, slowly pour out the hot water while running cold water into the pot.  When they are cool enough to handle, completely drain, set aside.

In a large bowl mix chicken, all cheeses (1 cup of mozzarella here) and egg together.  Mix until completely combined. 

Using a small spoon or piping bag with no rip, fill the shells.  There should be exactly enough filling and you can be generous with it in each shell!  Fill and place into a pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  Line them up however you need to, in order to get them to fit.  I actually used a small pan and a large pan as I was making it for 2 separate meals. 

When you have them all lined up, pour over half of your crushed tomatoes or marinara.  I like to pour it down the center, and spread it a bit, leaving the ends uncovered because it looks prettier!  (you will notice I went further than just the center this time!) Do it however you want.  Now sprinkle your remaining mozzarella cheese over the top, then add the rest of your tomato product on top. 

Bake for 30-40 minutes, until bubbly and hot all the way through!

Make sure to serve this with a good hunk a' crusty bread!!

Your "maniGOT = manicotti" Chefwannabe

The Duff and Nothing but the Duff! I did it Donna!

Happy Friday Everyone!  

Donna Sooy-Simmerman
1943-1999

This blog is a special tribute blog.  It contains the recipe for a very special dish.  The dish is called "Blueberry Duff".   The story goes that it was my husbands favorite dessert that his mother made for him as a child and adult.  He never knew the recipe.  Sadly she passed away 12 years ago,  Her birthday would have been today, October 15th.  This is always a hard time for my husband so I thought, what better way to cheer him up then finally after 11 years together, I am going to nail this duff thing.  As you saw in a previous blog I tried what I thought was definitely going to be "IT" a few days ago.  Wrong!  All along my husband has been saying..."I think its just as simple as blueberries in a white cake and blueberries in cornstarch pudding".  Well, my husband always seems to have the answers and I thought it had to be wrong, because this HUGELY amazing dessert had to be some labor of love his mother went through each time she made it.  I have tried several ways, several recipes, several made up dishes, all with no luck.  Well as luck would have it my father in law was going to visit Aunt Doris, my late mother in law's sister.   The good news came, "She HAD the recipe".  My husband called his dad, I had a paper and pen in hand, and was ready to take it down word for word so I could surprise my husband ON what would have been in mother's birthday.  Imagine my shock, when my husband said, "I was right, its blueberries in a white cake and blueberries in cornstarch pudding".  Oh no, he was right again.  How am I ever going to even this score.  I thought to myself, self....after 11 years of brushing him off like a black dog hair on a white suit, he was right all along?!?!  

1965 Donna and Hoss
Okinawa, Japan

I am so happy to share this simple recipe with you.  I find sometimes food is like love and relationships, things don't need to be complicated.  Simple is less work and more fun.   I love listening to stories about my husbands mom.  I hear stories of love, and devotion as a mother.  A kind heart, and her calling my husband who is nicknamed Hoss, "Hossybug" as a child.  Waking him on Christmas morning, even as an adult telling him "Santa's been here".  A woman who loved holidays and the spirit of of giving ran deep within her.  I know how proud she was to be a mother.  I am told by family that it was her greatest joy in life.  She didn't seem to need fancy things, even though, like all of us, she loved them!  My husband jokes that she may not have been the best cook, but it doesn't matter, he says.."She put so much love in everything it made up for it".  She cooked simple food, and did her best to take care of her sons.  Making my husband food the way HE liked it, and spoiling him rotten!  Thanks for that Donna!   Now lets get to the SIMPLE pleasure that is...

Blueberry Duff

White cake mix

1 cup blueberries (I used frozen, and let them macerate in about 2 tbsp sugar for an hour)

Prepare cake per package directions.  Fold in blueberries just before baking. You can bake in a 9x13 pan or prepare as cupcakes which is what I did.  When cake is done, let sit and cool completely.  Cover until you are ready to serve

Topping (Cornstarch Pudding, recipe from Argo website on a few changes)

3 1/2 cups of milk, divided

6 tbsp corn starch

2 egg yolks

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix 1/2 cup cold milk with corn starch. Set aside. Heat remaining 3 cups milk in a large, heavy sauce pan over medium heat until milk just begins to simmer (small bubbles around the edge of the pan).

While milk is heating, beat the egg yolks with a whisk or fork in a small bowl. Add salt and sugar to the eggs, then add egg mixture to the corn starch mixture.

When milk is simmering, stir in the corn starch mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes, until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

To Serve:

Plate a piece of cake.  Take 1/2 cup of cornstarch pudding, and put in a small bowl and microwave for approx 1min, until slightly loosened and hot.  Pour directly over the cake or cupcake and serve.  

Donna and Hoss 1965

Now, go call your mother if you can, tell her you love her.  If there are problems in your relationship with her, FIX them.  Kiss her, hug her, and thank her for being your mom.  You only get one mother, love her, cherish her, and respect her with everything you have.  Do not hold grudges, do not keep score, and learn to forgive often.  People do not last forever, memories do.  Make so many you think your head will explode and never miss a chance to make more!  

Hoss, and his BlueBerry Duff!

Make this recipe!  Make it for your mom!  Mom's make it for your kids!  Find a special dish, that your children will remember so fondly when THEY are 46 years old!  When I put the plate in front of my husband he said, "It smells like mom has been here".   I can't bring her back, but I can bring him a piece of the past, that embodies so much love, he almost can't eat because he is smiling so big!

To the mother-in-law I never knew........

We never met in this life

But I feel like I know you,

I am your son's wife.

He says there is so much about me 

that is just like you.  He says you are his

angel and you made his dream come true.

How could this woman who's son I love

fade so quickly to up above

I never got to thank you, I never got to say

Thank you for the son you raised, I see you

in him everyday.  

The things I hear about you, your kind and loving

heart. I see it everyday in Hoss, I have right from the start.

His heart remains sad, he will never get over, the

loss of you, his most beloved mother.