Making memories over a meal

May is chock-full of holidays: Cinco de Mayo (May 5), Mother’s Day (May 10) and Memorial Day (May 25). It also begins summer. Graduates and wedding couples abound.

No matter the celebration, south Louisianans love to party over a hearty meal. And that’s what Gina Blanchard, owner of Gina’s Catering in Raceland, lives for.

“Cooking is what I love doing,” she said. “I never have a dull moment. I am always working on some event.”

Blanchard’s culinary background spans three decades. After earning a food service management degree from Nicholls State University in 1980, she held a series of jobs with the school’s catering company. That was followed by kitchen duties at several area restaurants and hospitals.

“I’ve had a lot of food service jobs in my career,” she said. “I am one of those people that can clearly say ‘You name it, I’ve done it’ in the food industry.”

In 1999, at age 40, she decided to go it alone, starting her own catering service. Today, she stays busy readying menus for wedding receptions, business events and graduation and anniversary parties. “People like to have good food when they are hosting an event and I want to be the one to give it to them,” Blanchard said.

The only exception: Mother’s Day. It’s the day her husband of 29 years, Stephen Sr., son, Stephen Jr., 22, and daughter, Kelly, 20, take over in the kitchen.

It’s long been a family tradition. When they were younger, the Blanchard kids started the day with a homemade card and homemade breakfast for Gina. Over time, it’s morphed into a day out.

“On Mother’s Day, we generally try not to have her cook anything,” Stephen Sr. said. “We want to give her a day off, and besides it’s Mother’s Day. We like to take her out to eat and, if time allows, we like to catch a movie. She loves watching movies.”

Blanchard said a day away from the kitchen is music to her ears.

For families preparing a special meal for mom or looking to make memories, she’s offering up a healthy menu that even the most novice cooks should be able to prepare.

Gina’s Garlic Bread

Ingredients:

1 fresh French loaf

Grated Parmesan cheese

Parsley flakes

Granulated garlic

Margarine softened

Directions

Slice the French loaf in half. Spread margarine on each side, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, parsley flakes and garlic. Bake for 5 minutes or until lightly brown. Serve warm.

Gina’s Fruit Crepes

Ingredients:

Crepes (can be purchased at any grocery store)

Strawberries (wash and slice thinly)

Blueberries (wash and drain)

Sugar, to taste

Powdered sugar

Directions:

Add sugar to mixture of strawberries and blueberries, let sit for 30 minutes or so to make juice. Mound a small amount onto each crepe. Roll crepes. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top to garnish. Serve.

Gina’s Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

Baby spinach leaves

Fresh bacon bits

Fresh mushrooms, sliced

Croutons

Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Wash baby spinach leaves and add fresh bacon bits, sliced fresh mushrooms, Parmesan cheese and croutons.

Homemade Houlihan Dressing

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tablespoons of minced onions

3 tablespoons of yellow mustard

1 1/3 tablespoons of Accent salt, to taste

2/3 cups of vinegar

2/3 cups of warm water

1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce

Dash of Tabasco sauce

2 1/3 cups of salad oil

Directions:

Mix all ingredients well and pour over salad, or serve on the side.

Gina’s Grilled Potatoes

Ingredients:

Potatoes

Sour cream

Salt and pepper

Margarine

Foil

Directions:

Peel and slice potatoes in half. Place each half on a foil sheet, dot with margarine. Securely wrap each half in foil. Place on grill, close grill lid. Cook on high at 400 degrees for approximately 30 minutes, turning once during cooking time. Add sour cream to potatoes, if desired.

Gina’s Grilled Corn on the Cob

Ingredients:

Corn on the cob

Olive oil

Margarine

Salt and pepper

Foil

Directions:

For quicker preparation, parboil corn. Season the corn with salt and pepper. Melt margarine mix with olive oil. Brush corn liberally with mixture. Wrap with foil and place on grill. Cook until corn is tender.

Gina’s Grilled Chicken Skewers

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts, deboned and skinless, cut in large cubes

Bell peppers, washed and cut into large pieces

Onion (medium size), cleaned and cut into four (can use red onions) pieces

Seasoned salt

Garlic powder

Olive oil

Skewers

Directions:

Season chicken pieces with salt and garlic powder or use your own selected spices. Put a piece of bell pepper on each skewer, and alternate with chicken, onion, and bell peppers until you have as large a skewer as you wish. Brush with olive oil, placed on grill. You may want to oil the grill to prevent sticking. Cook until chicken is done.

Making memories over a meal