I am a strong believer that shared meals are the key to happy and functional relationships. Friends, families, boyfriends & girlfriends, it doesn’t matter. The importance of sitting down to a distraction free (no tv, no phones, etc.) meal and just connecting is the most important thing you can do to connect with the people you love. Holidays are a prime opportunity to make this happen. For me all holidays are centered around a meal.
Labor Day is no exception and this last one, it was the best of times.
I lived away from my parents for 16 years and missed the opportunity to connect with them over dinners, especially holiday dinners. Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day always mean ribs at my parents house. Coming home last fall my dad’s ribs was one of the meals I was most looking forward to eating. After eating them last September, Memorial Day, and 4th of July I threw out the idea of changing it up for Labor Day and switching to a boiled dinner with lobster.
Years ago my parents used to have a summer party with two other families that they called the clam bake. Surprisingly, I don’t think we ever had clams at any of those. There were plenty of other shellfish and lots of fun. Lobster races on the kitchen floor before they hit the pot. Lots of loud music and swimming in the pool. It makes for a perfect summer evening.
At our own smaller clam bake, we had no clams and unfortunately no mussels. Instead we stuffed our faces with shrimp, lobster, corn, sausage and potatoes. It was perfect in every way.
This week in school we made a Key Lime Pie. Knowing my parents love them I figured I would see if I could make one that would suit their discerning palettes. I nailed it. It set up perfectly after being baked and everyone loved it. Would have been a real win if tin transit he plastic wrap hadn’t touched the top of the pie, making it not look as pretty as when it came out of the oven.
If you want to try Key Lime Pie grab a bottle of Nellie & Joe’s famous Key West Key Lime juice. Recipe on the bottle is exactly the same as the one I made in class. To test if it is done tap the edge of the pan, it should wiggle a little like jello but not look liquid.
Family meals are the best meals and being able to share the holidays and celebrations with them makes all them better. This past year of being back in Indiana it is the dinners and connections over food that has made it so much fun to be back. I hope everyone finds a reason to sit down to a family meal and connect this week. If you don’t have family near by sit down with friends and share a meal. It might be the most fulfilling thing you do all week.
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