Kids & Company Blog

Mother’s Day Traditions

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I began reflecting on my favourite memories of cooking in the kitchen with my mother and grandmother. They would pull out the recipe-box filled with recipe cards where there were splatters of food stains, fingerprints and smudges. Tucked into the box beside the files were original photos, notes and mementos kept from a life well lived and eaten at our family celebrations. These recipe cards are a reflection of the history of my family traditions passed on from generation to generation…….as I always say it isn’t a party without food!!!

These traditional dishes were classically served at holidays with much anticipation, pomp and circumstance but could also be shared on a weekend with my family. These dishes bring back warm memories of the smells and tastes of the past and time shared with my loved ones. The physical recipe card isn’t really used anymore, but its history is rich with sentiment and produces conversations and memories from the past. Keeping a familial connection is not only to be found in the dish itself but also in the making of it - you don’t mess with your grandmother’s recipes!

With the new tech savvy generation, we can keep these recipes alive by uploading them on the internet so that your family can access them for a lifetime! With innovations like SnapChat and Instagram, we can take it one step further and share pictures of all the colourful creations with family and friends!

Finally, my most important memories were picking the recipes and then the cooking process with my mother and grandmother standing in the kitchen for hours, chopping, cooking, chatting, laughing and ultimately enjoying a delicious meal all together.

On Mother’s Day, we take the time to thank and appreciate our Mothers and Motherly figures for all that they do!  At Kids & Company, our annual tradition is our special Mother’s Day parties for all our kiddies and their Mommies, where we serve snacks and iced tea on a warm May afternoon. We love the smiles on all their faces when they come and spend time together at our centres!

Mother’s Day is a perfect time to start forming fond traditions - why not start creating those fun, interactive and memory-making cooking traditions with your own family? Bring your Mom, Grandmother and kiddies together to cook and make a yummy, delicious meal as a wonderful Mother’s Day tradition.  If you need an idea to kick start your recipe box try making our flavourful Hello Hawaiian Meatballs with your kiddies this year!

Kidco Kitchen Hello Hawaiian Meatballs

*Makes 6 portions

What you need:

• 2 lb Ground Beef
• ¼ Cup Bread Crumbs
• 1 Egg (optional)
• 4 Tbsp Minced Garlic
• 1 Tbsp Veggie Oil
• ¼ Cup Diced Onion
• ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
• ½ Cup Ketchup
• ¼ Cup Vinegar
• ¼ Cup Tomato Paste
• 2 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
• ½ Cup Diced Pineapple

What to do:

1. Be sure to wash your hands before you begin.
2. Preheat oven to 350F.
3. In a medium bowl mix together bread crumbs, ½ the garlic, ground beef and egg.
4. Roll meat into small golf ball sized meatballs. Place about 1 inch apart on a parchment lined baking dish.
5. Bake for 15 minutes then turn them over and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until somewhat crispy on the outside.
6. In a large skillet heat veggie oil over medium heat. Add onions, remaining garlic and cook until translucent. Add all remaining ingredients and simmer sauce for 30 minutes.
7. Add meatballs to Hawaiian sauce.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @kidcochildcare and on Instagram @cheflisaruscica!

Cheers,

Chef Lisa Ruscica

Chief Food Ambassador

Posted on: Thursday May 10th, 2018

Posted by: Lisa Ruscica