| My kids are adults, but still my babies. Every year, | | | | serve themselves. Birthday cake? Whoever eats |
| within a week of each other they turn another | | | | it anyway? Since the guests of honor are adults |
| year older. I throw them a celebration. My | | | | and so are most of the guests, I'm buying a |
| husband wishes I'd stop throwing them this ritual | | | | gourmet cheesecake that has been individually |
| birthday bash-he's never been one for hosting | | | | sliced and contains four different kinds in one box. |
| parties, not even when they're family. One of our | | | | For those who'd rather, I'll have angelfood cake |
| offspring is married and a mother herself. Yet | | | | and non-dairy topping available and replenish the |
| here comes another one. | | | | fruit tray. |
| Through the years I've done more than get older, | | | | You've probably noticed I'm not cooking one single |
| I've also become wiser and arthritic, so I've | | | | dish. The only thing to clean will be the coffee pot. |
| changed perspective on how I throw this bash. In | | | | My guests will have a good time. I will be able to |
| the beginning, it wasn't all that populated. The four | | | | sit down and enjoy them and the occasion and |
| of us, my parents and sister, sometimes my | | | | going to work the next day will not be the |
| inlaws would attend. Then of course family | | | | problem it has in the past. |
| members got married, had kids and our children | | | | As for my famous mashed potatoes, well, I'll |
| would ask their closest friends to join us. I loved | | | | continue to save them for my part in the yearly |
| it! I'd roast a turkey, make my famous mashed | | | | Thanksgiving Potluck. They've been published in a |
| potatoes (recipe to follow), set up a salad bar and | | | | major women's magazine and in a large daily |
| make homemade birthday cakes. | | | | paper in Orange County, CA-they are one of my |
| As the crowd grew, the mashed potatoes turned | | | | most requested recipes. I'll share it with you now. |
| into a baked potato bar (I had a theme going | | | | The best part is they are very low in fat! In |
| here with "bars"). I switched to paper plates. Then | | | | honor of our daughter (who loves them so much, |
| when the crowd got to 15 plus, well, I realized | | | | she had the caterer serve them at her wedding) |
| things had to change. Physically, it would take me | | | | I've always called them: |
| a week to do the shopping, chopping, cooking, | | | | Sarah's favorite mashers: |
| setting up and cleaning and then the "putting | | | | Serves 6-8 |
| everything back". The following week, I was too | | | | 3 lbs, baking potatoes, peeled and quartered |
| exhausted to do much more than the bare basics. | | | | 1 large head cauliflower, in florets |
| So, I changed. I also found out something | | | | 1/4 C each skim milk and margarine (food |
| wonderful-EVERYONE ENJOYED THEMSELVES | | | | allergies have me using soy milk)kosher salt |
| MORE!!! | | | | 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper |
| This year our menu will be trays of vegetables, | | | | Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold |
| fruit, cheeses, meats and sandwich makings. All | | | | water and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil and |
| courtesy of the local bulk buying venue. I will also | | | | then simmer, uncovered just until fork tender. |
| purchase artisan sandwich rolls and ciabatta bread. | | | | Drain well and mash (I prefer a ricer). At the |
| Hummus fixings will not give me a blender to dirty | | | | same time, in another large pot, bring 11/2 cups |
| this year! It will be bought and scooped out into a | | | | of water to a boil and add cauliflower. Lower heat |
| bowl and served along side the trays and chip | | | | and cover, steam for 15 minutes, or until very |
| bowls. I'll also grab a container of gourmet salsa. | | | | tender. Drain and place in blender with milk, |
| The drinks will be chilling in a big chest. Later, | | | | margarine, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Puree until |
| coffee will be set up so everyone can pour and | | | | smooth. Fold into potatoes. Serve. |