I have to credit my Mother for my love of food. She was an incredible cook. The start of her cooking career was quite sad, but in the end her greatest accomplishment, after her kids of course. At a very young age after a devastating tsunami, her parents gave her away in the hopes she would have a better life in the city. She was the youngest of 8 children. I don't think she ever forgave her parents for what they did, even though they had the best of intentions. Life was extremely difficult. At the tender age of 7, she became a house maid/servant and cook. School was out of the question, she had to work for her room and board. Sad that she could barely write her name, yet she could do math calculations in her head and learned Italian and Portuguese with ease.
She could cook and bake just about anything. I'm still in awe that someone that couldn't read or write could cook the way she did. She was self taught with no professional training. I must have been 12 when I realized she couldn't read or write, no one knew. It was a well kept secret. She did a great job pretending that she could.
Growing up we had to eat whatever she made. If you didn't eat obviously you weren't hungry. Not liking something was not an option. The same applied if we were invited out to a friend's for a meal. God help you if you told the host you didn't like what they made. It was a mistake you'd never make twice, especially if you were sitting next to or across from one of my parents. A good kick in the shins and stern stare made sure you'd finish what was on your plate. Mom always said, "You eat whatever they put in front of you." We weren't allowed to say we didn't like something without trying it, not that it mattered if you did try it and still didn't like it! Lol The wooden spoon was her weapon of choice! Lol Lucky for me I ate pretty much anything. My siblings, well that was another story. I think my sister still holds the record for the most broken wooden spoons. I know some of you can probably guess how they broke. Another rule was that you didn't get up from the table until your plate was clean and everyone was finished eating. To this day I struggle with not leaving anything on my plate. My friends are always in awe and they know that if I don't finish something, it must be pretty bad.
At home we were always surrounded by food. Mom became a caterer after she arrived in Canada. She cooked for almost all of the Spanish speaking embassies and many others. At one point she was offered the position of head chef at the Governor General's residence. Dad didn't let her take it, he wanted her at home with us. She mostly worked out of our house.
We learned to eat everything. The butcher at Steinbergs often gave my Mom stuff for free. After all, who would pay for chicken hearts and gizzards, liver, beef tongue, ox tail, tripe and countless other cuts that were considered garbage or scraps. With the influx of various immigrants, funny how many of these things are now seen as delicacies and quite expensive.
Growing up we'd take roast beef wellington to school for lunch while the other kids had tuna salad or peanut butter sandwiches. I didn't have my first hot dog until I was 9! I thought is was the most awesomest thing ever and ketchup was to die for! When I told Mom I'd had a hot dog, she was mortified. "Who would dare feed my child cocktail food? You're never eating there again, hot dogs are not a meal. These people have no idea how to eat!" At school we'd be embarrassed to open our lunch boxes. A crowd would always form waiting to see what we had. Other kids would offer to pay for our lunches. Looking back we could've made a fortune! Meanwhile I'd trade for sandwiches and Ritz crackers. Can you believe that to this day I've never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? For Mom peanut butter was a treat and she'd give us a teaspoon to lick once in a while.
Hence this is where my love of food started. I've passed this on to my children. We have a household of Foodies which can be challenging to say the least! Amazing that even my 5-year old knows what lobster and leg of lamb are and don't try to serve her steak that isn't medium rare.
I remember going to T&T Market one day and buying a huge lobster. On my way home I called the kids and told them to fill the bath tub, I was bringing home a new pet. I dropped the lobster in the tub. What a commotion, but my youngest looks up at me and says, "Mommy, aren't we going to eat him? I don't want a pet lobster?" So not what I expected to hear. I think most kids would be having a crying fit begging to keep it as a pet!
Oh well. I'll use this blog to provide feedback on the different restaurants and foods we try. Everything will be touched on including the menu, options, presentation, price, taste, value and service. I certainly won't exclude meals prepared by friends and family as they can be quite amazing too. My children will also provide input given their love of food and very distinguished tastes. Kids menus can be interesting and their opinions matter too!
Our opinions are just that, opinions. Some may agree, others will not and that's fine. We are in no way experts or professionals. All I can say is that as a single mom of 4, quality and value play a huge role in my food decisions. I don't mind paying for quality. On the other hand I also expect good service.
Eat, drink and be merry! I hope you enjoy the blog and our various food adventures.
Carm Foodie
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