Fried Smelt-Memories brought forth from Cook the Books for #SundaySupper

Today, at Sunday Supper, we are celebrating our Moms.  Perhaps we are sharing what we will be serving Mom next Sunday or Mom's favorite dish.  Perhaps, as I am, we are sharing a memory.  That is all I have this year.....Mom passed away in January and Mom Klik passed away in February. This is my first Mother's Day without them. This post is very difficult for me and I almost didn't participate. But then, I heard my Mom ask me if I were not going to honor her on this day just because she is no longer physically with us and I knew that her memories are stronger than my loss.

So I would like to thank Christy of A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures and Wendy of Wholistic Woman for hosting this month and choosing this theme.  It made me stop and think about the times I spent with Mom in the kitchen first with her teaching me and handing me beaters and later when I was the one cooking and handing Mom, who was suffering dementia, the beaters.  It also made me remember all the good times and good laughs I had with Mom Klik as she taught me many of her Polish recipes.

This photo of both Moms was taken a mere 2 years ago.

This knowledge was reinforced when I read our Cook the Book selection this month, chosen by Deb of Kahakai Kitchen, Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good.  This funny and poignant memoir takes place in my home state of Michigan during the same era in which I was raised so many of our memories are similar if not exact.  I loved this selection and I am anxious to read the author, Kathleen Flynn's other works.  There is still plenty of time for you to join us this period.  Here is the announcement post.

One of Kathleen's memories that I also shared was of smelt dipping. Each spring my Pops would go smelt fishing and bring home bucket loads of the tiny little fish.  My Mom and I would pour them into the sink, grab her scissors and start cleaning. There isn't much to cleaning smelt, cut off their heads, snip across their belly and rinse.  No removing scales, no cutting into fillets, no deboning...heck you don't even remove the tails.  You simply dredge the entire thing in seasoned flour and fry them to a crisp.  Soooooooooooo delicious and even more special this year because they remind me of spending time with a wonderful lady.  A lot of talking goes on when you work together in the kitchen and I thank God I had those moments with Mom.

Here is my recipe for Fried Smelt.  It is easy peasy and delicious. You can set these out as an appetizer or you can add some french fries and coleslaw and make it a meal.  I am sharing amounts for 1 lb of Smelt but you can easily adapt this to fit as many Smelt as you are lucky enough to catch.

Fried Smelt

1 lb. cleaned Smelt
1/2 c. flour
salt, pepper and paprika to taste
1 c. Crisco Shortening

Place flour and seasoning in a large plastic bag.  Add Smelt and shake until coated, inside and out. Melt Crisco over med high heat in a deep skillet until hot.  Add the fish in batches and fry until crisp and golden, about 3-4 minutes, flipping if necessary to brown both sides.  Print Recipe

Here are the other Moms favorites that are being shared today

Starters (Appetizers, Beverages, Breakfast):

• Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal by Cooking With Carlee
• Frozen Pina Colada by The Redhead Baker
• Goats Cheese Rolls with Honey and Thyme by Manu’s Menu
• Mom’s Banana Bread by Family Around the Table
• Mom’s Famous Poppy Seed Bread With A Citrus Glaze by And She Cooks
• Mom’s Wine Spritzer by Momma’s Meals

Salads, Side Dishes, and Sauces:

• Asiago Bruschetta Roasted Asparagus by Flavor Mosaic
• Italian Country Salad by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Mom’s Cucumbers in Vinegar by Simple And Savory
• Mom’s Homemade Perogies by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Mom’s Potato Salad by Palatable Pastime
• Polish Haluski (Pan Fried Noodles & Sauerkraut) by The Crumby Cupcake
• Spinach Salad with Simple Vinaigrette by Cooking Chat
• Zippy Barbecue Sauce by Amee’s Savory Dish

Main Dishes:

• Chicken and Egg Salad Sandwich by The Freshman Cook
• Grilled Chicken with Poblano Cream Sauce by Casa de Crews
• Fried Smelt by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Granny Smith’s Meatloaf by Get the Good Stuff!
• Jean’s Best Vegetable Soup by Food Lust People Love
• Lemon & Garlic Herbed Roasted Chicken by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Mama’s Favorite Southern Fried Chicken by The Chef Next Door
• Mom’s Cheese & Onion Enchiladas by The TipToe Fairy
• Mom’s Lentil Toastadas by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
• Mom’s Moussaka by My Life Cookbook
• Shirley's Potato Soup by Our Good Life
• Mom’s Spare Ribs To Go by An Italian in my Kitchen
• Mom’s Sukiyaki: Japanese Beef and Vegetables Hot Pot by Asian In America
• Myra’s Super Supper by Tramplingrose
• Pizza Meatloaf by A Mind Full Mom
• Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls by Cookin’ Mimi

Desserts:

• Apple Bread Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Apple Crisp by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Baklava by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Brown Sugar Pudding by Un Assaggio of Food, Wine & Marriage
• Butter Balls by Feeding and More
• Carrot Cream Cheese Coffee Cake by Pies and Plots
• Chocolate Cherry Truffle Cheesecake by What Smells So Good?
• Crustless Pecan Pie Rice Pudding by Desserts Required
• Double Layer Chocolate Cake with Red Wine Chocolate Buttercream by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
• Easy Classic Date Squares by She Loves Biscotti
• Gluten Free Strawberry Rhubarb Cake by What The Fork Food Blog
• Homemade Chocolate Cherry Candies by Gluten Free Crumbley
• Hungarian Crepes: Palacsinta by My Gourmet Connection
• Lemon Cookies with White Chocolate and Mint by The Finer Cookie
• Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze and Roasted Strawberries by Turnips 2 Tangerines
• Mom’s Apple Pie by Wholistic Woman
• Mom’s Famous White Icing by Monica’s Table
• Moms Mayonnaise Cake by My World Simplified
• Pavlova with Raspberries and Cream by Caroline’s Cooking
• Rocky Road Brownie Sundae for Mom by The Weekend Gourmet
• Rose Shortbread Cookies by Baking Sense
• Sour Cream Cheesecake by Magnolia Days

Plus What Mom Really Wants for Mother’s Day plus Mom’s Favorite from Sunday Supper Movement


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I am also sharing this post over at Foodies Read 2016 hosted by Heather of Based on a True Story