Wishing happy Father's Day to all fathers, especially those many fathers without fathers. My extraordinary dad died twelve years ago and I miss him as much now as I did then, if not more. The pain of the loss is gone but the lasting effects of his absence never go away.
It is the happiest of stories, Christopher Buckley reminds us in his great memoir, Losing Mum and Pup: The grandfather dies, the father dies, the son dies. A reminder also to appreciate those we love while we can, especially around a big table of food! My dad was never so happy as when he was feeding people, which certainly affected my love of the same, and of food and cooking. Thanks for that, Dad, and for everything else.
On this Father's Day, I'm reposting his own butter baste for grilled chicken, how I miss it, and him. Happy Father's day all.
Rip's Tarragon Butter Baste
Ingredients
- juice from ½ lime
- 3-finger pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- 1 stick butter, cut into 5 chunks
- 1 tablespoon mince tarragon
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne powder
Instructions
- Combine the lime juice and salt in a small sauté or sauce pan then set over high heat. Just as the juice begins to simmer, add the butter a chunk at a time, swirling continuously until the butter is completely melted. Add the remaining ingredients and remove from the heat.
- This will make enough baste for one whole chicken. My dad bought spit broilers, but you can also cut the chicken up or spatchcock it, a word he'd have loved.
Know him well through you, its been a long time. Old Overholt, the flowers that bloomed from his ashes, the aged eggnog, the beer vinegar & the super kind Michael Symon.
Your looking much more like him, you should be proud. Hope you have a great Father’s Day.
Thanks Allen, grateful.
What a lovely tribute.. guess who dressed you two alike & took the photo.. how blessed we are for our memories
❤️❤️
Thanks, Mom, and you probably took the photo. You're the best. I'm a lucky son.
Lovely sentiment, thank you. The saddest day of my life was when my dad passed. He was the kindest, funniest and most supportive of fathers. Growing up he always cooked Saturday night dinner and it was usually scrambled eggs, bacon and tater tots. Never got old and always delicious. His favorite quick dessert was a bowl with saltine crackers in the bottom, applesauce on top and a drizzle of milk. Divine! I miss him every day. Happy Father's Day to you.
Thanks for the memories, lisa. But I'll have to trust you on the dessert!
HAHA raising seven kids in the 60s, you do what you can! It was always a favorite cuz Daddy made it.
And he always grated nutmeg over the top.