More than a Meal: Celebrating Mother's Day Through Her Recipes

There’s something about a mother’s recipe, handwritten on a worn index card, passed around at family gatherings, or recreated from memory, that holds more than just ingredients. It holds tradition, love, and a story. This Mother’s Day, the team at What Chefs Want is sharing the dishes that take us home: the casseroles, cookies, and Sunday favorites our moms and grandmas made with care. These recipes are a connection to the women who raised us, fed us, and inspired our own love for cooking. We’re honored to share their legacy with you.

Kathy’s Pecan Sandies

Submitted by Maddie C., Local Food Specialist, Grants & Partnerships

“These are not only my mom’s favorite to make and to eat, but everyone else’s, too! She, and now I, often double or triple the recipe around Christmas time when we usually make them, because they go fast. I think the original source was an old classic Better Homes & Gardens cookbook (the red and white plaid one), but in my adulthood I learned that many cultures have a version of this cookie, sometimes called a “wedding cookie” (Italian, Mexican, etc.) or a “snowball” due to the powdered sugar. It has a delicate crumb balanced with some substance from the pecans, and it’s pretty easy to make, I can see why it’s so ubiquitous and well-loved. I know why my mom loves them—they’re rich with butter, which is one of her favorite things!”

Ma Dear’s Sour Cream Pound Cake

Submitted by Alisa W., Meat Specialist, South

Vickie’s Jacob’s Pottage (Lentil Soup)

Submitted by Jack B., Inside Sales, Central

“This is my Mom’s recipe for Jacob’s Pottage aka lentil soup. I think she’d tell the story of Jacob tricking Esau into giving him his birthright for a pot of stew every time she made this growing up. Then she’d say, ‘You should feel really special to eat this, it’s Bible food!’ We would eat it alongside untoasted bread covered in Country Crock.”

Kathy’s Real Italian-Style Meatballs with Spaghetti

Submitted by Joe R., Prep Kitchen VP

Sandy’s Marinated Watermelon & Tomato Salad

Submitted by Anna H., Program Director, Local Foods

“My mom is Sandy Haas, lives in Cincinnati, OH and part-year in Big Pine Key, FL. She’s a lover of the beach and the ocean – and this is a good recipe for out on the water!”

Sue’s Cream Cheese Cookies

Submitted by Lauren N, Director – Special Projects

“When Christmas comes around, Sue’s famous cream cheese cookies bring the whole family together. Every year, she bakes tins upon tins of cookies for everyone, and each batch feels like it’s made with extra love. But be warned—if you drop by on cookie day, you’ll have to be quick. Grandpa Bill is notorious for “quality checking” the first dozen… purely for consistency, of course.”