My mother was the most amazing cook. She made 4 course meals and friends would ask "do you always eat like this?" It was about good food and being together.

At 93 my mother still said to us "it is not difficult to put a good meal on the table at night in America". Believe me, my mother knew the obstacles – she was raised in the depression and for years worked night shifts at the cannery. She made delicious meals with multiple dishes and balance. We learned to appreciate the simplicity and the complexity of making good food and the value of family sitting down together to eat.

Yet, I can recall nights when dinner was tenderly boiled small white potatoes, a few sun dried tomatoes, a chunk of strong goat cheese, a fresh red bell pepper tossed in some wild dandelion greens from the yard and a little sip of home made wine. That was simply amazing too.