We may call my mom Baba, but she doesn’t always live up to the title (seen here with my daughter). She doesn’t wear a babushka, isn’t a fan of gardening beyond some bedding plants and a few roses, and her own exercise regime means she will never criticize someone for being too skinny. But as a good Ukrainian girl herself she can lay claim to being a fantastic cook. As a kid I, of course, didn’t appreciate her skills. Nor the love she put into having a good meal on the table 6 nights out of 7. She worked full-time, did her fair share of chauffeuring three kids to competitive swimming, and volunteered with her church. Sure, we had our version of convenience foods, casseroles made with numerous tins of soup. But a few times a month she would be the kitchen, all of us settled with our housecleaning chores and homework. Before long the smells emanating from the kitchen would draw us out. Soups, fresh buns, donuts, and a great abundance of Ukrainian treats like pyrohy (pierogi) and holubtsi (cabbage rolls). As an adult, on my own and across the country, I daydreamed about hamburger soup and her banana bread . But it wasn’t until the craving for pyrohy hit, and hit hard, I realized how much I missed her and the food she fed us, her family. The search for pyrohy in the Maritimes was futile. Not a Ukrainian Baba to be found. Then Mom moved to the US for work. It wasn’t until we were living in the same city again that I dared ask her to show me her pyrohy. When I wanted pyrohy I called the only person who could really share with me. And in that recipe and our many afternoons together I discovered that being Ukrainian really is about family, about traditions, and still about Baba. Even if she hits the gym instead of the garden. Cheryl is a mom to two energetic and strong-willed little girls. It’s a good thing they already like her cooking. She blogs the family’s cooking and taste adventures at Backseat Gourmet. Related: Family Friday: Spring = Asparagus for Our New Guest Blogger Discuss: What Mom Dish Did You Hate Growing Up?

There a lot of reasons to like this time of year: the weather is a little brisk, the leaves are changing colour, we spend more time in doors relaxing, and we get to eat hearty, hot, one-pot comfort foods ! These are my favourite types of dinner because a) they are easy to prepare and b) don't create a lot of mess and c) my kids usually love them. The other night when my daughter had a craving for my friend Denise's cheesy macaroni, I was able to whip it up because it's only four ingredients (a can of Campbell's mushroom soup (I can make a roux, but this is faster and actually tastes creamier and cheesier!!), as much cheddar as you want, half a finely chopped onion, and a small bag of large pasta shells). They also love my husband's cheesy pasta with hamburger, also made with a Campbell's soup (this one the Cheddar soup), some onion, some ground beef, and any pasta you have handy. My favourite one-pot meal is my husband's beef bourguignon, but that is neither easy nor fast. But I need more options, more choices to make my favourite type of meal so please share: what one pot comfort food do you make that's quick and easy? By Scotch Mommy from slice.ca (AKA Reni Walker). Read the previous Family Friday blog: Pumpkin Pie Imperfection