Najafi urges parents to make memories in kitchen with kids
Dishes,” which she’ll launch during cooking demonstrations and book signings at the Fall Home & Garden Show this weekend in The Woodlands.
“Mother Daughter Dishes” was born from comments Najafi read on her CherylStyle.com website. People were drawn to classic dishes but wanted them to be more healthful and use fresher ingredients.
As she worked on recipes, stories would pop up about holidays, birthdays and other family events, she said. She hopes this book can spark mother-daughter conversations and family time in the kitchen for others.
“I feel like all of us have a piece of this American palate, and to bring those recipes up to date was really exciting, she said.
One updated recipe she mentioned was meatloaf, which her mother made with a package dry soup mix and egg and then covered with a ketchup mixture before baking.
“I took that meatloaf idea and instead of dry soup mix, I use dried herbs and fresh salsa and cheddar cheese to help it stay moist. I serve it as sliders,” she said. “Instead of, ‘Oh, we’re having meatloaf for dinner,’ I get, ‘We’re having sliders tonight!’ It’s all in the presentation and changing things up a bit.”
To a simple margarita she serves to friends she adds a slice of jalapeño for a little more zing. To fruit salad, a simple syrup infused with rosemary can change the flavor dramatically, she said.
Najari encourages parents to cook with their children to create memories and to engage them in trying new foods. But she doesn’t want parents to see cooking for their families as a burden.
“Don’t take yourself too seriously, just enjoy your time in the kitchen,” she said. “I don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. I want to get in and out. I want people to pick recipes they will enjoy preparing and have fun doing it. At the end of the day when everyone loves it, you will feel so rewarded.”