Wherever I looked yesterday and today, I was reminded of something that we were or ought to be celebrating. Yesterday was Flag Day, Juneteenth, National Bourbon Day, Family History Day, and World Blood Donor Day. Today we’re greeted with the World Cup, Magna Carta Day, National Lobster Day and of course, the homage to our male lineage – Father’s Day.
Father Daughter Lecture out by the Chopping Block
As I scroll through Facebook and other social media channels, I note the posts honoring fathers. After all, we all have one and it appears that it is in the remembering and the stories of home that we are all united on this day. Yet it is also a bit ironic because nature does just the opposite for us. As I watch my own boys navigate their teenage years, it is in the “pushing away” that their own voices are found. I can remember that time.
What we sometimes fail to remember about those teens is that their own communication skills are still in development and their arguments that come across as rude and accusatory are just a function of where they are operating right now. Teenagers feel that they are the center of the world and frankly, our own behaviors often reinforce that. As such, it’s often difficult for them to see how they are impacting others but it doesn’t mean that they aren’t good kids – they’re simply working to create their own boundaries and their own framework for living.
Eventually, they do come around and there are glimmers of hope every single day. They discover their own style and rather than nibble on habaneros, they create their own medley, their own rhythm that feeds their own tastes. I grew up in a hot and spicy household and it influences my every bite. I’ve found however that it’s possible to add my voice to the recipe and create menu that is descriptive of a lineage. That is the power of our stories and especially those that we’re telling on Father’s Day.
Vegan Carrot Dip
adapted from Desert Roots Farm
(yield about 1.5 cups)
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lb carrots, cut into 1/2 inch rounds
- 3 cloves of garlic or one who head of green garlic peeled
- 1 onion flower
- 1 thai chili seeded and chopped
- 2 tsp toasted coriander seeds ground (watch them like a hawk!)
- 2 Tbs olive oil (I used harissa flavored oil)
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 Tbs sriracha
- 3 Tbs toasted walnuts
- 1/4 cup oil cured black olives
Directions:
Place carrots, garlic and onion blossoms in a pot and add enough water just to cover. Simmer until tender, drain and place in food processor. Add ground coriander, oil, lemon juice, thai chili, sriracha. Pulse until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into a dish and garnish with walnuts and olives.
Happy Dad’s Day! What did you eat for this special occasion?
Agrigirl's Blog 
Debbie
/ June 15, 2014Great post for us to ponder on, Tammy! It might be just me, but do the directions above go with this recipe? My hubby loves steak and baked potatoes on Sundays, so I went to the meat market and got him an extra nice rib eye for Father’s Day. And baked him a German Chocolate Cake. I am feeling kind of guilty about all of this in lieu of your vegan carrot dip!!
Tammy
/ June 16, 2014Thanks for the catch on the directions! And good for you for indulging him. My husband went to visit his own dad so I got out of ribs and cornbread!!
Sophie33
/ June 16, 2014A great post to read, Tammy! 😀 That lovely vegan carrot dip is on my make list for today,!..Ooh yes! 😀
Tammy
/ June 16, 2014Let me know if you like it. I kind of had to fiddle with the spices.
Sophie33
/ June 16, 2014I made it & loved it! It was just right! xxx
Tammy
/ June 18, 2014Thanks for letting me know!!
Sophie33
/ June 18, 2014😀😀
Lisa H
/ June 16, 2014Yes, teenage years can be push and pull. If we look at it as another stage to get through, it makes it a bit more bearable (we made it through the “terrible twos,” after all). I try to remember how I viewed the world as a teenager, and sometimes that helps a bit. As my dad always told me, “This, too, shall pass.”
Love the photo of your carrots…it’s the best part of growing your own. You never know what shape you will pull out of the ground!
Tammy
/ June 16, 2014Yes, that’s what I think also Lisa. If I made it through the threes then I can easily handle three teens!
cindyricksgers
/ June 16, 2014Lovely post, Tammy! I am continually impressed with the wise, kind guide you are to your sons! Thanks!
Tammy
/ June 16, 2014Thanks for the kind words Cindy. It’s important to remember passages and that we are all in a different one from each other.
timelessitaly
/ June 16, 2014I like your thinking….and recipe of course! Teens push away but do come back, sometimes it takes longer. You’re a good mum!
Tammy
/ June 16, 2014Thank you! Very kind of you to say.
nrhatch
/ June 16, 2014Both our dads are dead (and we didn’t have kids) so we didn’t celebrate Father’s Day yesterday. But today is our 30th Anniversary! We enjoyed Parmeson Asparagus, Sweet Corn Fritters, Mac & Cheese, and Caesar Salad for lunch.
We’re having a LIGHT dinner and then going for a sunset stroll on the beach. 😎
Tammy
/ June 16, 2014What fun Nancy! Enjoy every minute.
nrhatch
/ June 16, 2014Maybe we should have celebrated National Lobster Day yesterday! We did send Father’s Day Greetings to several dads ~ including my 2 brothers and 2 brother-in-laws. And both of us spent some time reflecting on our wonderful dads (and granddads).
I think I appreciate them more now than when in my teens.
Tammy
/ June 16, 2014:>)
hotlyspiced
/ June 18, 2014Your carrot dip sounds wonderful. I know what you mean by teens challenging you as they go through the challenges of growing up. I can only hope that one day they will come around the be nice! xx
Tammy
/ June 18, 2014And I am certain that they will
nancy at good food matters
/ June 19, 2014love the rhythm of this post, Tammy. all the voices–the parent, the teen–speak along to the push and pull and dance of growing up.
Tammy
/ June 22, 2014Thanks for your comment Nancy. It is definitely a dance but so much easier when we view it as such.
Rukmini Roy
/ June 21, 2014How can you say so much in so little? Adored the post Tammy. We had a very unfortunate incident in our house lately with a teen and these words would be so comforting to my sister. Its a tricky time. Not many understand this…people go out of line, do crazy things, simply maybe, because they are find their own voices. So wonderfully said. Im sharing this so she can read. It will offer her solace.
Tammy
/ June 21, 2014You’re such a dear. Thanks for reading. I hope it is useful to someone.
isathreadsoflife
/ June 25, 2014I share Rukmini’s thoughts, this particular blog of yours can be useful to many.
As is the recipe of the vegan carrot dip. Carrots are almost daily on our table, in every form, from juice to cakes, gratins and salads, cooked in the oriental way with various spices or mixed with a potato purée. But…. I had never tried the carrot dip and for this I thank you very much.
Tammy
/ July 30, 2014I hope that it was useful to someone and would love it if they lived in my own house! This carrot dip is easy and you can play with the spices.
I Wilkerson
/ June 28, 2014Such a good reminder (as the mother of teenage girls)…
Tammy
/ July 30, 2014Yes, it helps!
Abby's Kitchen
/ July 8, 2014How true! I have three teenagers and appreciate everything you’ve said here. Thanks!
Tammy
/ July 30, 2014Thanks Abby. Sometimes we become to self-centric and think that it’s all about us. We really have to remember the phases and stages. Did you ever read passages?
Abby's Kitchen
/ July 30, 2014No. But I think I will now! Thanks for mentioning it. 🙂