Treat of the Week, Double Edition!

My mother's birthday and Memorial Day are close together, so, we often spend the long weekend celebrating both days.  This week's "Treat of the Week" is going to cover both events.

Let's begin with my mother's birthday.  As always, my father made the dinner to give my mother a day off.  It's one of the two days a year when my father cooks.

He's outdone himself this time.  He began by baking a lovely homemade bread.  

We enjoyed a beautiful dish of Pasta Carbonara.  Tasty pappardelle in a creamy sauce with perfectly-crumbled pancetta made for a delightful celebratory dinner.  A handsome tomato-mozzarella salad was a great finish to the main course.

Then, we had birthday pie.  My mother enjoys lemon meringue pie, and my father makes a very good one.  This time, I have to say, it was his best.  The homemade crust was tender and light, the filling was alive with the flavor of lemons and the meringue was fluffy and high.

It was a job well done!

The following day, my mother was back in control of the kitchen and created an incredible Memorial Day dinner for everyone.  Sweet and savory shredded pork barbeque served up on fluffy rolls with pickles was an ideal American dinner.  Served up with my mother's special coleslaw (made with ranch dressing and not mayonnaise) of jewel-toned cabbage, we enjoyed every bit of the meal.  But, for me, the best part was a new edition--a cool, flavorful couscous salad.  The couscous was prepared with pesto, giving it a rich flavor, and, then it became a salad with bright green olives and sweet capers--dressed with a subtle vinaigrette.  

I had several servings!

For dessert, my mother made a gorgeous pear and cherry strudel.  Topped with a decadent homemade carmel sauce and freshly-whipped cream, it was a delightful end to an already delicious celebration.