So much of what brings us back to our childhoods are the fond memories of the food we enjoyed growing up. Whether Mom was a gourmet cook or a casserole queen, her food was the best. When we asked our Editors to share their favorite memories of Mom’s cooking, the responses came fast and furious, a tribute to great Moms everywhere. We’d love to hear from you in a comment below. What was your Mom’s best dish?
Heidi Raker, Bergen county: My mother Marcia was a very good cook, even though my palette was pretty narrow as a kid. My favorite meal was fried veal chops. I’d help her bread the chops (seasoned flour, egg and breadcrumbs) and then once they were fried, she’d toss in sliced potatoes to crisp up in that flavored oil. The smell of frying veal was intoxicating and I will never forget that crunchy, juicy goodness and chomping on those bones. What a treat that was! I loved being her sous chef and enjoy the same with my kids today.
Alison Heller, Cape May County: My mother had a cookbook titled “365 Ways to Cook Chicken.” Most meals were inspired by that book. Sometimes though, she would make my Grandfather’s homemade macaroni and cheese, letting me not-so-stealthily sneak cubes of Velveeta from the counter. When she served it, the cheese bubbled on top under a dark crust. As simple as it is, that macaroni and cheese recipe has always brought us together as a family.
Beth Christian, Burlington County: My mom got more into cooking once we were grown and she had more time to play around in the kitchen. She started relying less on convenience foods and started cooking different vegetables. She got me totally hooked on roasted beets (which I believe she learned about from one of Mark Bittman’s cookbooks). If you have grown up with those soggy jarred beets, give roasting a try. Mom tops hers with a little crumbled Gorgonzola cheese-yum! Thanks, Mom!
Melissa Beveridge, Monmouth County: The smell of dumplings, frigadellas (aka German frikadellen), and mashed potatoes wafting out of the kitchen will always remind me of my mom and my grandma. Only about three dumplings actually ever made it to the table (we would have to “taste” them while she was cooking). The meal still brings back all those Sunday family dinners where we would just enjoy each other, and eat, a lot. Thanks for the memories and the recipes mom!
Kerry Brown, Burlington County: Everyone loves my Mom’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. Prepared and cooked in a cast-iron skillet, it starts on the stove where the butter and brown sugar are melted together. This simple combination will transform during baking into a sweet and gooey caramelized topping on the finished cake. Golden pineapple slices are arranged on the bottom of the pan and a bright red maraschino cherry is popped into the center of each ring. Vanilla cake batter is poured over everything and then placed in the oven to bake.
When cool, the finished product is inverted onto a cake plate and slides easily out of the well-seasoned pan. As a kid I was very impressed the first time I saw this . . . the ‘bottom’ of the cake is now the sweetly decorated top. Such a classic – simple, pretty and delicious!
Michelle Stavrou, Union County: The dish my Mom is known for is her macaroni and cheese. My brother has requested it more times than I can count and it’s become a staple at holiday gatherings. There’s something about my Mom’s Macaroni and Cheese that makes it not just delicious, but comforting as well. I have the recipe so I can recreate it whenever I want, but it never tastes quite as good as when my Mom makes it.
Veronique Deblois, Morris County: My mom, Diane, is an amazing cook. Growing up in Quebec, Canada, she cooked classic Quebecois dishes and added her creative spin on them. While her style of cooking leans towards comfort, she often dresses up dishes to give them an upscale vibe. One of my favorite meals made by mom is her mushroom stuffed whole filet of beef with mashed potatoes, peppercorn sauce and cauliflower au gratin. This became my birthday menu while a teen and I love it to this day.
Jennifer Malme, Cumberland County: My mom’s cooking was very typical for the seventies – she was a casserole queen! I remember coming home from school to the enticing aromas of scalloped potatoes, spinach gratin, lasagna, and stuffed peppers. Her baked beans are still a family favorite! Since my own family is so picky (they dislike “sauce”), I still go home to Mom when I want to enjoy the comfort food from my childhood.
Michele Errichetti, Atlantic County: Mom was a great “everyday” cook, by that I mean she was a firm believer in eating a “balanced meal” every day, making it from scratch as much as possible. She wasn’t a gourmet cook, she made American food staples! Meat loaf, mashed potatoes and string beans with bread crumbs, roasted chicken with roasted potatoes and carrots, pork chops with sauteed cabbage, and apple sauce, t-bone steak with baked potato and broccoli, and every meal had a salad with oil and vinegar! She instilled cooking fresh food with fresh ingredients that I still adhere to till this day! Thank you Mom, I know you are listening!
Sheila Hill, Monmouth County: During the week, my mom would stick to basic, no-frills meals. On Sundays, however, she kicked it up a notch in the kitchen. I loved her Pennsylvania Dutch-style chicken pot pie. It’s not your typical chicken pot pie. There is no pie plate. No crust. It was similar to a thick soup. My mom would roast the chicken to perfection. While the chicken was roasting, she sauteed onions and celery and prepared the dough by combining flour, water, and an egg. I always helped roll out the dough and cut the squares. The combination of fresh chicken, a hearty broth, tender vegetables, and big, thick squares of dough was heavenly. I’ve tried many times to replicate the recipe, and but it never comes close to mom’s.
Terry Krongold, Passaic County: My Mom was a good cook but an excellent baker. All my baking skills I owe to her. To this day, I still bake some of my most cherished recipes from her. Her Apple Crumb Cake was always a staple at summer BBQs, and at Christmas, her Half Moons, Love Knots, and Crispeles were always on the table. But her most famous dessert was her cheesecake. This is the recipe I built my dessert catering business around, and the recipe people request most. Thanks, Mom!
Gina Glazier, Middlesex County: My mother was and still is a wonderful cook. She and my father raised both my brother and I pretty much in the kitchen! One of the best meals she ever made us was probably her chicken parmesan. Her marinara alone was enough to make me happy but when partnered with the pan-fried chicken cutlets and fresh melted mozzarella, it was outstanding. I distinctly recall always dipping my pieces of “mozz” into her sauce while it was simmering, which was like our appetizer course before the main meal was served. To this day, we spend most of our time together in the kitchen and because of her I truly feel the kitchen is the heart of my home. Thanks Mom!
John Howard-Fusco, Ocean County: Mom was a good cook, but she was an even better collector of recipes. She rarely, if ever, strayed one grain of salt more or less from what was written on the page. So as much as I want to give Mom a big smooch on the cheek for her oh so good lasagne, the person who created the recipe should get a smooch as well. That being said, Mom did a wonderful job recreating a stick-to-your-ribs, healthy-yeah-that’s-a-laugh lasagne that was always a family treat. And even now, when Mom makes lasagne when we visit, or if she brings it over to our house for dinner, it’s a gesture of love that will keep us together around the table for hours. Then again, we have no choice – we’re physically incapacitated after a slice or two. Thanks Mom.
Kate Morgan Jackson, Bergen County: My mother is the most adventurous cook I know! As a kid, every morning I would stumble into the kitchen and there she would be, surrounded by cookbooks and planning dinner. We grew up with sandwiches made from the sourdough starter that was always on our counter, and we knew the taste of frogs legs and stuffed grape leaves and scallion pancakes. Back then, there were days when I wished I could just have peanut butter and jelly on Wonder Bread like all the other kids…today I realize that her exotic meals made me the enthusiastic eater that I am today. This morning she is bringing her famous Irish scones that she and only she can make to our three generation Mother’s Day brunch…my mouth is watering already! Love you, my amazing mother.
Deborah Smith, Executive Editor: My mother, Lonnie, was not a huge fan of cooking. Given the fact that she was a single mom, fixing dinner at the end of her work day just wasn’t high on her fun-things-to-do list. Now being a working mom myself, I totally get it. That is probably what made those days when she’d refrain from the Campbell’s Cream of something soup recipe and reach for her recipe book so special. My Brother and I had a few favorites which I still make today. Her lasagna was a dish I started making in High School. Her meatloaf comes from Better Homes and Garden and is a sure bet. I think my love of cooking came from the smell of the house on those special days.
Garden State Brewfest, Saturday, May 12th from 2pm-6pm. Support your local community! Come on out to sample great beers from local breweries while supporting charities. Enjoy music from live local bands. For more information and tickets: 
Art & Music Festival – Toms River Food Fest, Saturday, May 12th from 12pm-9pm. This will be an amazing outdoor festival with food vendors/demos, Beer & Wine Garden – all celebrating live music, visual arts and fine crafts of our region. Held in downtown Toms River at Huddy Park and 1 Washington Street. For more information, click here.
Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend, Saturday & Sunday, May 12th & 13th. At participating wineries across the state. Many New Jersey wineries will offer a special wine tasting during this trail weekend; a perfect way to spend time with Mom. For trail maps, click here.
Forks & Corks: A Culinary Experience, Monday, May 14th at 7pm (6pm for VIP). Jersey City. This exciting new culinary event with Host Chef Chris Siversen, will include some of New Jersey’s most popular restaurants preparing delicious bites alongside unique wine and cocktail pairings. Proceeds from the event will go to support critical programs and services for people living locally affected by multiple sclerosis and to help fund research to find a cure for MS. For tickets and more information, click here.
Shot@Life Fundraiser, Friday, May 18th from 7pm-10pm. MOMS Club of Middletown-South will be raising funds to benefit Shot@Life at the Red Oak Diner & Lounge in Hazlet. The benefit will feature appetizers and desserts, cash bar and an amazing auction. Click here for more information.
Chili & Salsa Cook-Off, Saturday, May 19th from 11am-5pm. Come to one of the biggest events in Downtown Toms River to taste tons of chili and salsa. There will be live entertainment, vendors and crafts. For more information: 
Glassboro Vintage South Jersey Wine Festival, Saturday & Sunday, May 19th & 20th from 12pm-5pm. The South Jersey Tourism Corp. and Glassboro Marketplace are proud to present the first ever wine festival featuring Outer Coastal Plain wines exclusively! This event is held on Rowan Boulevard. For more information and tickets, 
Taste of Evesham, Sunday, May 20th from 1pm-4pm on Main Street in Marlton. Sample amazing food from some of the best local restaurants. There will also be beer and wine tasting, cooking demonstrations, and live music. For more information, 
Jersey Shore Wine Festival, Saturday & Sunday, June 2nd & 3rd from 12pm-5pm. The BlueClaws host the annual wine fest at FirstEnergy Park. Sample a variety of award-winning wines from throughout New Jersey. Enjoy live musical entertainment throughout both days, crafters, vendors, and food, plus a play area for the kids. For more information, 
42nd Annual New Jersey Irish Festival, Sunday, June 10th. Join us for live entertainment on two different stages, Pipe & Drum Band Competition, Catholic Mass, Food Vendors, Craft Vendors, Irish Step Dancing, Family Activities, 50/50 Raffle and a full day of live Thoroughbred racing. 
Amada’s rustic wood ceiling, tables and chairs contrasted by modern booths with globe lights wrapped in metal cocoon-like shells provide a warm, hip dining area. The open kitchen lets the diner view the line whipping up plate after plate of delicious entrees served hot by an attentive staff that moves stealthily from table to kitchen and back again catering to your every need. The wait staff were extremely knowledgeable and offered suggestions to make the experience of navigating the many small plate choices complement one another. Did I mention the plates are as visually stunning as they taste? All the food is served family style, by that I mean in the middle of the table for all to taste and share. You might want to make it clear from the beginning that what you ordered is yours alone, before the others get at it. Trust me they will if they are anything like my family and friends.
The server brought out a complimentary basket of flatbread with Tuna Caper Mayo that quickly disappeared and we decided on a couple traditional tapas appetizers to start. Gambas Al Ajillo, Garlic shrimp came out in a sizzling iron cooking crock plump and full of garlicky goodness, next out were the Patatas Bravas, Spicy potatoes with smoked paprika aioli, who doesn’t like potatoes and these were cooked to perfection with just the right amount of kick from the paprika. We all agreed to the salad Ensalada Verde, finely chopped arugula and endive with fava, green beans and asparagus and shaved Manchego cheese curls (my new cheese to buy) tossed in a sherry vinaigrette that included avocado which made for a slightly creamy texture. The salad was a smash and something I would love to be able to recreate for my own table. The taste is unforgettable! I know all this for a salad, try it and you will understand. After the salad it was a whirlwind of gastronomic ecstasy. I don’t remember everything, it happened so fast. Good thing I took notes.
Habas a la Catalana, warm fava and lima bean salad, Alcachofas ala Parmesana, perfectly fried artichokes encrusted in parmesan cheese, Setas, sautéed wild mushrooms in season, Esparragos con truffas, grilled asparagus with a poached egg perched on top and Mahon crisp with truffles in a decadent béarnaise like sauce to finish. Beautiful and sexy. The meat for everyone was A La Plancha, from the grill, lamb chops cooked till just pink enough with grill marks to die for. Plump and juicy and three dipping sauces,Romanesco, Basil Apple Chimichuri, and a Whisky based puree with red peppers.The sauces were not even needed but eaten with a spoon, shh, don’t tell!
Big Brew Beer Festival, Friday & Saturday, May 4th & 5th. 3 Sessions: Friday, 7-11pm. Saturday, 12-4pm & 6-10pm. Held at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset. Enjoy great food, music, live entertainment, games, and of course, BEER! There will also be a mechanical bull and a mariachi band. For tickets and more information, 
bly local) to pair with our cheese and chocolate. This is a great opportunity to support New Jersey breweries. Here is a great list of 
Wine and Whiskers, Thursday, May 17th from 7pm-9:30pm. Join Companion Animal Advocates for an evening of wine tasting, fabulous food, great prizes and more at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes. You will have the opportunity to order your favorite wines from the evening at the event discounted price, and CAA will receive a generous donation for each bottle ordere, courtesy of Carlo Russo’s Wine & Spirit World. For tickets or more information, 
Beer vs. Wine, Saturday, May 19th from 7pm-11pm. Held at Atlantic City’s famous Boardwalk Hall, this one of a kind event is a concept created to solve that age old question: Beer or Wine, which is the ultimate beverage and how do they pair with delicious foods? 15 American craft breweries and 15 American wineries will be showcased, all complementing Atlantic City’s finest restaurants. For more information, click here.
Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars, Sunday, May 27th. Join us for the first ever Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars! The top food trucks in town (and out of town) will be rolling in to serve up their delicious dishes and try to earn your vote for People’s Choice. 
Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser, Saturday, June 9th from 5pm-10:30pm. Brady Life Camp in Pottersville, NJ. There will be a farm fresh meal catered, live entertainment, 50/50 and live and silent auctions. Proceeds go towards America’s Grow-a-Row’s mission to positively impact as many lives as possible through a volunteer effort of planting, picking, rescuing, and delivering free fresh produce. For more information and to be a sponsor, please visit: 
Don’t blink! If you do, you may miss this hidden gem tucked away in an industrial park in Manasquan. Trust me—the food is not to be missed. In an area where breakfast joints are a dime a dozen, you’ve got to set your restaurant apart from the masses. The Blue Peach Café does just that.
children’s menu, but chocolate chip pancakes, as well as classic French toast and pancakes, are kid-friendly options. Blue Peach also offers several types of muffins, including a pineapple coconut muffin, which is grilled to perfection.
Wine Tasting Event, Friday, April 27th from 7pm-10pm. Held at Heritage Vineyards (South Jersey). Get an exclusive chance to taste hand-selected wines from Joe Canals of West Deptford. 75+ wines from around the world will be available for tasting along with a tasty buffet of dinner items from Toscana Restaurant. This event is held by the Mullica Hill Rotary Club, all proceeds from this event help fund local and international projects. To purchase tickets 
Spring Wine Festival, Friday, April 27th from 7pm-10pm. At the Hilton Short Hills (North Jersey). 100+ fine wines hand-selected for your tasting pleasure by the experts of the Wine Library. Relax, mix n’ mingle with wine lovers just like you! Sip a diverse array of wines, nibble on delicious accompanying light fare, and kick back with the smooth sounds of live jazz. For tickets and more information, 
Asbury Park Restaurant Tour, Sunday, April 29th from 12pm-4pm. This inaugural event, hosted by The Chamber of Commerce, will feature small “bites” and one-of-a-kind sampling experiences at over 25 Asbury Park restaurants, lounges, juice bars and bakeries. For more information, 
5th Annual Cooking for Kids: Gourmet Fare From Everywhere, Monday, April 30th from 6pm-9:30pm. Held at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel, East Rutherford, to benefit the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s pediatric programs and services. **Chefs who will be offering samplings of their signature dishes include Lidia Bastianich, Michael Carrino, Ryan DePersio, Ariane Duarte, Scott Cutaneo, and Jim Weaver. $200 general admission, $250 for a VIP ticket that includes a special gift bag. For more information, visit Click or call the St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center Foundation office at 973-754-4408.
Feasting on History, Tuesday, May 1st at 6pm. This restaurant gala is the Village’s signature fundraiser event. Each year on the first Tuesday in May, over 40 local and popular restaurants sample their signature entrees and specialties for guests to enjoy. In addition, local wineries and distributors sample over 100 wines. The event is held in Hangar #1 at Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum. For more information, 
Big Brew Beer Festival, Friday & Saturday, May 4th & 5th. 
Garden State Beer Expo, Saturday, June 2nd. Two sessions: 12pm-3:30pm & 5:30pm-9pm. Come sample some of the best brews available in the great Garden State at the PNC Bank Arts Center. Tickets are available online or at Spirits Unlimited locations. 
Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser, Saturday, June 9th at 6pm. Brady Life Camp in Pottersville, NJ. There will be a farm fresh meal catered, live entertainment, 50/50 and live and silent auctions. Proceeds go towards America’s Grow-a-Row’s mission to positively impact as many lives as possible through a volunteer effort of planting, picking, rescuing, and delivering free fresh produce. For more information and to be a sponsor, please visit: 
BrewFest at the Ballpark, Saturday, June 23rd. Two sessions: 12pm-4pm & 6pm-10pm. Held at the Lakewood BlueClaws Stadium. There will be over 100 styles of beers to taste. There will be local, regional, national, and international brews. There will also be giveaways and a live broad casting from the WRAT. For more information and tickets, 
