Hey there, feels like I have been a very bad blogger as of
late.
I have to say that the last 2 weeks of 2014 and the first
week of 2015 kicked my butt… My Dad ended up in the hospital on Christmas Eve
with a life threatening illness. We all went in to survival mode and did what
needed to be done. Thankfully he is doing much better and I think he is on the
mend, but we were all VERY concerned. Needless to say the last few weeks have
been a blur. I am only just coming out of the haze now.
My Dad is one of the most important people in my life, we
have a very close relationship and I am so grateful he is doing so well.
Dad is a huge part of the reason that I started this blog.
He cooked for us all the time when we were growing up. He is a great cook and I
have learned so much from him over the years.
I thought in honour of the Stan I would share a few of his
signature dishes. These things have his influence all over them, I can’t make
them and eat them without thinking of him!
First up my favourite breakfast of all time! Fried Red Tomatoes on Toast. We ate this for breakfast at least once or twice a week all
summer when I was growing up. We would go out and pick a bowl of tomatoes while
my Dad fried up a big pan of bacon, then we would toss in all the beautiful
tomato slices and cook them until they were soft and delicious! Pile all of
that up on some crispy toast and you have heaven on a plate‼
Steak Pie! My Dad is a hunter; we always had venison in the
freezer, always! One of the families favourites was his Steak Pie! It is just a
classic. Writing this is making me crave one right now!
Porcupine Meatballs! When I was driving my Dad home from
Calgary to Regina after his release from the hospital we were discussing food,
as we often do! He was listing all the things he felt like eating after all
that hospital food. Porcupine Meatballs topped his list. So once we got home
and settled we whipped up a huge batch, made from Moose meat I might add. They
were so scrumptious! Dad loved them and he got to eat the left overs for a few
days after I had to leave!
Stan’s Pasta, or as he used to call it Burger Shlaka! This
simple pasta is fantastic. We have been eating this dish as long as I can
remember!
It is one of my in house taste testers favourite now too!
For dessert 2 things really come to mind when I think of my
dad, the first is Bachelor Button Cookies, soft cakey cookies with a sweet date
filling. My Grandma Clarke used to make them for my Dad whenever he asked her
to. The rest of us would try to get her to make them but she would only make
them for my Dad. They are wonderful, if you have never made them I suggest you
do!
And of course the classic holiday treat OACB’s (Only at Christmas Brownies). From the time I could stand on a stool and see the top of
the counter I remember helping my Dad make these yummy treats. I started by
breaking up the graham crackers then after a few years and I was old enough to
use a knife I would cut the cherries, then I finally got the honor of stirring
the chocolate mixture, it was a big step and remember feeling really proud that
I finally got to do it. We even have a special pot and spoon that always have
to be used when making OACB’s!
Luckily he had whipped up a batch before Christmas and he
still had some in the freezer when I got to his house. They didn’t last long once
I found them!
Thank you Dad for being such a wonderful influence on my
life, not just in the kitchen but for everything!
I can’t even express the relief I have knowing that you are
on the mend. Love you!
Jen
I love this post! What a great tribute to the Stan. I can only imagine how stressful and exhausting the last few weeks have been, but I'm so glad that he's doing better! You're lucky to have him, and he's lucky to have yo as a daughter!
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ReplyDeletePerfect post. We were lucky girls to have him so involved growing up & are so lucky to have him still. Thanks for bringing him home. ❤️❤️❤️