So, I have been so envious of my son's travels and the meals he seems to find all over Europe that he describes with such flavor. Well, here you go son. I am going to make you drool for this one.
Prior to his leaving, our son helped us establish a once a week dinner at Grandma's house, Thursday nights. We have been taking the food and cooking it because at 89, a fracture in her back, it has simply become too difficult for her to take on a big dinner, even if it is just for four people. We missed last week's meal because she just didn't feel well.
This week, Grandma decided she would make dinner, she suggested she would make her fried chicken. Her memory not being quite what it used to be, I meant to call her during the day just to make sure this was still going to happen but I didn't. I figured if she forgot, we could just pick something up and take it there.
I have to say, these evenings are very special. Grandpa can't wait for cocktail hour, actually, he doesn't wait so he is quite entertaining by the time we arrive. This week, when we arrived and got out of the car the wafting aroma of something special hit us like a wave! Grandma had not forgotten but rather than fried chicken, she had made probably one of the most recognized comfort meals in the world, Pot Roast.
Now understand, when I met my husband he was used to this kind of cooking and I simply didn't cook at all. It has taken me years of
tutelage under my mother-in-law to become even half as good as she has been her entire life. I have my specialties but Grandma, she does it as only Grandma can. Maybe she doesn't do it as often but when she does, it is to die for! I have tried to make her Pot Roast, many times. It is one of the meals she makes that I cannot duplicate.
By the time we arrived, the Pot Roast, parsnips, carrots, potatoes and onions were in the pot and really almost done. Grandma opened the oven to baste everything one more time and it was a glimpse of heaven. The juice from the meat was such a dark brown that when she basted the vegetables you could see the flavor oozing onto them. That same dark juice was soon to become the darkest, most flavorful gravy you can experience. This is where I go wrong. I can't make it that dark. I don't know why. When the Pot Roast was removed and Grandpa was told to carve the meat, the vegetables were dished up, Grandma went to work on the gravy. This is what makes her Pot Roast what it is. This is admittedly not the healthiest of meals but what the heck. The grease in the pan that mixes with the dark meat drippings combined with the added flour to create the masterpiece that is Grandma's gravy. It is the kind of gravy that is not meant just for potatoes. It has to cover just about everything on the plate.
It is no secret how much I miss my sons while they are away. That is why I understand how special it is for Grandma and Grandpa to have us there at least once a week. I sincerely hope that if my sons find their
soul mates, or when they do, that they will want to spend time with us. I can't imagine it any other way. But I have to be one of the luckiest daughter-in-laws to be able to have developed this relationship. With my parents now gone I still feel like I have parents because they are so dear to me.
So, sons, come home soon and often, now and forever!
