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I am constantly amazed at how animated and talkative people get when you mention food. The mere aroma of certain foods can evoke memories that transport us back to a special place and time. Food can bridge the gap between all ages, races and ethnicities.
Let's face it, the only thing that should ever come between people is a table and some serving bowls.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Happiness Is On The Menu


My mother the queen of onions has been in her glory these past couple of weeks. The nursing home has added a few new items to their dinner menu and two of them contain pearl onions. My mother said that one night she got some type of beef burgundy with pearl onions and the other day they had put some caramelized pearl onions in her green beans. It may not sound like much to you and I but to her it’s the world. This morning she called me to tell me that last night they served her chicken cacciatore and it was delicious, she is all giddy. It’s actually quite cute to see the amount happiness something as simple as a menu change can bring.

Roasted Pearl Onions

1 pound of fresh or frozen tiny pearl onions
1 tbsp. sugar
Salt & pepper
Paprika
Butter

Drain onions and place in baking pan. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika and sugar, dot generously with butter. Bake in a 450 degree oven, turn occasionally until browned (12 to 15 minutes).

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love these. They are so simple and so delicious. And your photo makes them look really appetizing.

Midori みどり said...

Love this recipe! By the way I'm a garlic lover too! Regards to your mum!

Shelby said...

I'm drooling, I love onions! I'll have to remember this one!

Julie said...

Thank you, Midori I will pass your regards along to her.

Nic said...

These onions make me really happy too!
Good food can make the world of difference, I'm glad to hear your mum is enjoying her food.

Julie said...

Thank you so much, Tom

Julie said...

Thank you, Nic

Julie said...

Thank you, HoneyB

Arlene Delloro said...

I just lost my mom last month. She lived in an adult home and she, too, was deliriously happy when they added some "flavor" to her food. Thank goodness she liked the food there and count your lucky stars that your mom does, too. Love the name of your blog!

Julie said...

I am so sorry to hear about your loss Arlene, my deepest sympathies to you and yours.

Meg said...

Those look delicious. they remind me of my grandfather. He loved to have creamed pearl onions at Thanksgiving and peas with pearl onions. I will have to try this recipe.

Teresa Cordero Cordell said...

Julie, I wrote down your recipe for the roasted pearl onions. My husband loves them. Thanks for sharing.

Julie said...

Thank you Teresa I hope that your husband enjoys them.

Julie said...

Meg, I still enjoy the peas with pearl onions one of my favorites.

Anonymous said...

Julie,

I live in Richmond, Virginia and usually speak once a week with my Aunt Edna who lives in a wonderful nursing home in the Bronx (New York, for those 2 or 3 who don't know). During nearly every conversation I get a report on what was disappointingly wrong or what was thankfully right with the menus over the last few days, so I can relate to your stories about your mother's mood swings based on what she's been offered to eat. When my cousin Barbara has taken Aunt Edna (her mother) out to lunch or dinner recently, oh, what bliss. Food is much more than sustenance. I still remember meals from forty years ago because of who I shared them with, or who made them and the love they added.

Diane L. Harris
http://www.steppingintothelight.net

Julie said...

Thank you so much Diane, it is a pleasure to meet you. I think we sometimes take foods importance in our lives for granted it is so much more than just something to eat.