Wednesday 18 April 2012

What do you think he will be when he grows up?

Our family just returned from an amazing break.

Some spent in Sth Gippsland and some of it in Tasmania.

Our annual Tomato Sauce making adventure with our friends.

As usual it was gorgeous.

It was a quick trip this time.

Just a few days.

But we came home feeling as if our two combined holidays were a family favourite.

There wasn't a bad bit.

All of the one and a half weeks were fantastic.

We had amazing weather & some time just as a family & then some days spent with some of our very favourite people.

Over the holidays I got to observe my kids in a way I don't get the time to do when we are home.

I'm busy.

Sometimes too busy to stop and see what is right before me.

On holidays I got to really watch them interact with adults, with younger children and with each other.

I love that about holidays.

I get asked fairly often from people "What do you think will he 'be' when he grows up?"

I was thinking about this question over our break as I watched my children.

Thinking about what a nonsense that question is.

It never fails to leave me feeling cross.

As if the person asking the question is missing the point all together.

Why would I want to be looking beyond what is right before me?

Why do we feel the need to project the interests and qualities of our children into a profession?

Why can't we place value on the characteristics of what makes up that person instead?

Why isn't being a good human enough?

What I observed in my children over the holidays was compassion, integrity, joy, creativity, love, a sense of fun, intelligence, musical ability, environmental awareness, patience, endeavour.

Alongside were also frustration, stubbornness, outbursts of anger & sadness- all the things you would expect both in children and in adults.

But it was watching my children interact with other adults and their children that was what made me feel so so proud.

Chatting confidently, making jokes, playing music, reaffirming friendships, sharing.

Watching the bigger of our kids tending to the littler children filled my heart.

Watching them WANT look after them, play with them, tend to them when they were hurt.

It made my heart explode with pride & love.

I may have shed a silent tear.

SO ....when someone next asks me "What do you think he will be when he grows up?"

My response will be the same for each of them:  "My hope is that he will be the same amazing human being he is now".


GOURMET GIRLFRIEND'S SOUTHERN STYLE CHICKEN served with APPLE & RADDICHIO SLAW:
As the weather cools so does our desire for comfort food.
My kids LOVE this recipe.
So do I.
My hope is that you will NEVER buy the take away version of this again- for so many reasons.....
You can deep fry this but I oven bake on a rack and get GREAT results!
The slaw is a lovely accompaniment but so would be some gorgeous mash.
Mmmmmm comfort food!


WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
FOR THE SOUTHERN STYLE CHICKEN

  • 1kg Organic chicken thighs
  • 1tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/8 tsp ground clove
  • 1/4 tsp ground sumac
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 clove crushed garlic
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup plain flour
FOR THE SLAW
  • 3 green apples, shredded
  • 5 raddichio leaves, sliced very fine
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • S & P
Preheat oven to 180C.

In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients & spices.


Pat each chicken thigh DRY.


Place buttermilk & garlic into a bowl.


Dip each thigh into the buttermilk first and then the spiced flour & panko.


Place onto a roasting tray with a wire tray (this is important as it allows the fat form the chicken to surround the pieces and stay crispy).


Once all pieces are done place into oven for half an hour.


Remove from oven and turn pieces over.


Return to oven and cook for further 15 minutes.


While the chicken is cooking you can make the Slaw by combining the liquid ingredients and S & P.

Combine the apple & raddichio and then add the Capers.



Mix dressing through.


Serve chicken with a quarter of lime.


NB: you may wish to pan fry in a little oil first to get the rich brown and then transfer to oven to finish off cooking and add crunch, although it is not necessary.





I love this track so very much....it seems perfectly matched to the ideas of this post. Listen carefully to the lyrics.

17 comments:

  1. I need that in my stomach. Now.

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  2. Great song...lovely sentiments
    This chicken recipe is going to happen this week in our home with that slaw for sure...
    1/8th tsp of...

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  3. Amen, beautiful lady!
    What a beautfiul post! So agree!
    Let's just let our kids bloom into the beautiful people that they already are.
    And your recipe, it's on my hit list for tomorrow night.
    I'm listening to your cool tunes as I type. You, my gorgeous, must have the best music collection going round.
    Lovin it all xxxxx

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  4. Having had brief exposure to all of your lads and slightly more than that of a couple, and seeing the way you watch and appreciate their every word and action is inspirational to me my friend. They are truly wonderful, unique human beings you have created!

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  5. Thank you again Gourmet Girlfriend.

    Love the way you look at life, family, food and music...all the very important things that life offers us.

    That picture of your boys is beautiful...they look like such bright, cheeky spirits...gorgeous!

    And thanks for the recipe...yes, definitely one for the week.

    Oh...BTW....During Easter our family all gets together in Denmark WA (5 hours trip from Perth) and each night we have a turn at cooking for each other. My menu was all inspired by you - wonton soup with salt and pepper chicken and tofu...absolutely loved by all! Thankyou...AGAIN!

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  6. I've worked something out with this post Ruth... You remind me of my mum! She used to say the exact same thing when people asked the same ridiculous question of her. I understood her response logically but only properly upon seeing my Sebastian grow up. Thwre is nothing I want more than to raise my boys to be the best, most loving, "good" version of themselves they can be. Your holiday sounds pure perfection! Xxx

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  7. Oh & great photo & that recipe will be on our table next week! X

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  8. I SO agree. Such a stupid question that shows a real narrow mindedness.

    I love that photo of your boys, and I love the happiness in their eyes.

    I too have been sitting back observing my little one of late, and I just have so much admiration for her. I love how our kids can teach us so much.

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  9. Yes! "our kids can teach us so much' indeed. And you still do. xxxxx

    And I love the "Boys Road" photo. Such a picture of innocence and joy.

    The music brought a tear! Beautiful.

    And - I've voted of course for No.1.

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  10. lovely, lovely, lovely.....

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  11. Yum I shall be giving that chooken a burl
    Adore your planned future response to a hollow question

    You are amazing

    X

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  12. Gorgeous and wise words Ruth. These sort of questions annoy me too. Even though I'm sure some people are just imagining the boys future, I am trying to focus on who they will be rather than what they will be.

    I adore that photo of Boys Road!!!

    This recipe looks amazing!!! I'm thinking of changing our lunch plans for this weekend's guests to accommodate trying this!!!
    xoxoxo

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  13. I always enjoy your insightful thoughts and reflections. On a more practical note we had your chicken recipe as well as an altered version of the slaw for dinner tonight. It was a huge hit and much appreciated by all (including me who now has another dinner I know everyone will eat in my repertoire). So thanks very much all round.

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  14. Oh man, I still don't know what I'm going to be when I grow up.
    The journey is just way too much fun.
    But I guess people like to chit chat and 5 beautiful boys is unusual in this day and age.
    With us they ask about the weather and about the apples.

    And I am certain your hopes will be realised. x

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  15. Love it! Hope mine are just as sweet natured and just as you said - the amazing people they are today. I want mine to be happy and content - not always chasing the next best feeling. Just happy and content! xx Lovely to 'meet' you!

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  16. Ah yes, that silly question. I want my kids to be content. They don't have to "be" anyone, or "do" anything or earn bags of money.
    In high school it's all about Your Career. It's really hard for kids who don't know what they want to do. Third child doesn't know, but her older sister said complete year 12(you don't have to do VCE exams) but many jobs require year 12 if only to narrow down the number of applicants. She is at art school and works in a coffee shop and apparently resumes without yr. 12 are tossed. Like you Need yr 12 to be a barista? Really.
    Years ago a primary school asked prep students what they wanted to be when they grew up. One little fellow said, "Myself". Well said.

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