Some of the dishes I’ve shown you are from my mom’s collection. You might think, “great…Peter shows us deeply secretive family recipes” but it’s hard interpreting recipes from an immigrant Greek mother.
Picture this…young Greek woman at the age of 19, emigrates to Canada to marry a man she’s never met before in a country with a new language, only two 1st cousins and an aunt to relate to and zero knowledge of cooking.
Fast forward to 2007, that same young woman has many friends outside of the family, is an exemplary employee at a bank and awaits retirement, raised a decent family, a noted volunteer in the Greek community and church and of course, an awesome cook and the greatest mom (but still annoying)!
Here’s my problem…she learned English on her own. She once worked with British women at a factory and they told her to watch soap operas and read Harlequin romance novels to gain command of the English language. That she did but spelling is a big issue for her and now, for me.
You see, her recipes are jotted down from the perspective of a Greek person pronouncing English words in her mind, then writing it down.
How can I forget her “Cheeken An’ Rize”? Or her “Cro-sans”? How about “Sheppers Pye”?
People, you should see how the ingredients and directions are written!!! Mom…I love you and get well soon!
Apple Crisp
4 cups (6-8 )apples, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch slices
(any firm, slightly tart apple variety)
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into 8 pieces
1/4 tsp salt
(you may add 1/2 cup oats to this recipe)
- Place the apples in a buttered baking dish/tray
- In a bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and butter. Spread the topping over the apples.
- Bake in a pre-heated 350F oven until the apples are tender, gooey and caramelized (about 30-45 minutes).
- Serve warm with a scoop of good French Vanilla ice cream.
13 Responses
awww..”cheeken”..that’s so cute!
I would so totally eat Sheppers Pye. It sounds very, I don’t know, 17th century some how.
I’d totally eat that apple creesp too.
That is so great Peter. Your mom is a brave woman and you have good reason to be proud of her and what she has done with her life.
Awww! The story about your mom is just great! :)
Your mom is a brave woman to come to a new country and leave her family and friends behind. My parents came in 1957. A lot of the best recipes are those that are passed down from generation to generation.
What a wonderful story! And what a treasure of recipes, written just-so, to keep in your collection.
That’s hilarious! I would love to read her recipes – add a bottle of wine and one could have a wonderfully funny evening…
Apple crisp is one of my favorite deserts. Baked apples goes so well with brown sugar, cinnamon and melting vanilla ice cream!
The story about your mom’s recipes is too funny!
Thanks for posting the recipe. I am going to make it now.
LOL, my mother’s English writing skills are the same! Shopping lists are always hilarious to read.
K
Omg. I love it .i watched soap operas and read the harlequin magazines to learn English lol
It did help.