Cooking Corner - Oogerade

Written By: Ellen Kleven  |  Posted: Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Easter is fast approaching and for many Americans, myself included, this means gathering with family to enjoy each other's company and eat a special meal after attending a service commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This Easter I will be spending time with my husband's family and as it is a holiday season, I thought it appropriate to feature a special Kleven holiday time recipe from my mother-in-law, Chris Kleven. Chris received this recipe from her mother-in-law, Lorayne Kleven, who recently celebrated her 94th birthday this year. Maybe 25 or 30 years down the road I will find myself sharing and enjoying this with my own daughter-in-law. Although the Kleven family enjoys this recipe during the Christmas holiday season, it is versatile and can be enjoyed on many occasions.

Although you'd never guess it now, Chris did not begin cooking until she was married, after graduating from college with a degree in Art. Growing up, Chris's grandmother and sister did most of the cooking while Chris would sew and garden with her mother, therefore Chris had little knowledge or skill when it came to working in the kitchen. Once she married, she remembers picking up the phone to call Grandma for some tip or advice at least once weekly. Her food memories growing up are fond ones, recounting how her dad would hunt ducks, her mother then putting on dinner parties featuring the duck, bringing out the best china. She and her two siblings were always included in these adult parties, which was important to her. She grew up in an atmosphere where hospitality was encouraged and today Chris does an excellent job of hosting. She continues to use the gardening skills acquired when she was younger, planting a large garden for her family every year, which produces quite well.

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