Mother's Day
Carole Kotkin

For many of us, Mother's Day recalls childhood memories of the family taking Mom and maybe Grandma out for dinner in a favorite restaurant. This year, let's say thank-you to Mom with a very special and personal Sunday supper cooked by her own children.

Most of these recipes are easy enough for youngsters to make, such as assembling the strawberry shortcake, or coating the chicken with bread crumbs. Others may need Dad's participation. Read through the recipes with your kids before starting to cook to make sure you have all the ingredients and utensils called for. Keep the menu simple and prepare as much as possible ahead of time. Select dishes that will be easy and fun for kids to make. Following directions, measuring, estimating, counting and cleaning up are skills children can develop while whipping up these recipes. An extra benefit: children proudly eat what they fix, even vegetables. Most of all, remember to have fun in the kitchen.

Here are some great-tasting dishes that Mom and the whole family will enjoy--sesame chicken nuggets, yellow rice with corn, and all-American strawberry shortcake. Round out the supper with bakery rolls and a green salad. The chicken and sauce can be prepared in the morning and refrigerated until ready to bake; whip cream for the shortcake and prepare the strawberries early and assemble before serving; make the rice while the chicken is baking. Remember, Mom's not allowed near the kitchen--especially when it's time to do the dishes.

Featured Recipes:

Sesame Chicken with Yogurt-Honey Dipping Sauce

Yellow Rice with Corn

Strawberry Shortcake

Carole Kotkin is co-author of MMMMiami--Tempting Tropical Tastes for Home Cooks Everywhere. She is food editor for Wine News Magazine, The Coral Gables Gazette, and travellady.com. She is a frequent contributor to South Florida Gourmet and The Miami Herald.

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