Gather Around the Table!
Growing up on my family ranch, my mother always prepared three complete meals a day. She drove into town once a week to shop and depending on current cattle prices, our living budget was sometimes pretty tight. We ate beef and lamb (and mutton) raised on the ranch with doctored-up canned or frozen vegetables and a simple salad. Nothing fancy, always chicken on Sunday and in the summer my mother rationed out the fresh peaches and cherries, so they would last longer. Once a week she plugged in the FarberWare grill (which had its own permanent spot on the counter), plopped on frozen steaks or chops, and smoked up the kitchen! Whatever it was, we always had nutritious meals as we sat together at our cozy kitchen table. Every meal my mother made tasted good (except for the canned spinach) and I am impressed and grateful that she made do with what we had, and it felt special.Her love for cooking rubbed off on me, and Joe and I have centered our life around family, the ranch and food. It started out with raising two boys who were always hungry and on weekends preparing great dinners became a priority and a pleasure for me.These days I love planning meals! Browsing cookbooks, magazines, and online sites, making a list, checking the pantry, and getting a great meal on the table! I care about how food makes me and my family feel. I usually go for simple, delicious, and usually healthy(ish) recipes. I begin with the BEST grassfed meat and add the freshest ingredients I can find. Yes, I use butter, cheese, salt, whole dairy products and try to avoid processed foods. It’s all about balancing what’s available, what we can afford, and who’s coming to dinner! Even though we sometimes spend hours preparing and hours cleaning up – I think the conversations and connections while gathered at the table is definitely worth it! Eating well is not only about fuel for your body, but sometimes it’s about what you “feel” you need - like gathering around the table and sharing a meal with those you love.Teri
