Last night my son and I sat down to watch Kevin Durant’s MVP acceptance speech. It was a 20+ minute speech where this young man singled out every player on the Thunder team with a thoughtful memory or comment. He spoke in detail about his coaches, trainers and everyone who works with the Thunder. He then moved his focus to his family. Kevin spoke lovingly about his brothers and father. However, his comments about his mother, Wanda Pratt, is what made me stop in my tracks. He spoke directly from his heart without a speech prepared. Sharing with the world his mother’s sacrifices and lessons she taught him while growing up. She was loving but tough on on her sons. Determined to change their lives. Many times giving up her own freedoms and even going to bed herself hungry. All so they could thrive! At the end of Kevin’s tribute he announced his mother the MVP.
To see his whole speech:
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Needless to say, I am so impressed with this young man. Kevin is wise beyond his years. His faith filled heart that he openly shared yesterday made me feel honored to be in OKC! Thank you Kevin for showing my young man that it is “cool” to love others. Love God. Love your team members. Love your family. But best of all Love Your Mama. What a gift for all of us Mother’s the Tuesday before Mother’s Day!
So in honor of KD and his MVP title I am cooking up Thunder inspired foods! What better way to watch the playoffs and to cheer on our players than a meal at home in front of the tv! I will be there watching and cheering!
MVP Grilled Chicken Panini with Garlic Aoili
1 herbed focaccia loaf, cut in half
4 cracked pepper chicken breasts, grilled and sliced thin
4 slices Colby jack cheese
1 can Red Gold with Garlic Diced Tomatoes
10 cloves garlic roasted*
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Preheat panini press.
To prepare the aoili: combine the garlic diced tomatoes with the roasted garlic and mayonnaise. Stir till smooth.
To make the sandwich: Spread a helping tablespoon of the aoili onto the focaccia. Place the chicken on the other half of the bread and then top with a cheese slice. Brush the bread with olive oil and then place into the hot panini press and cook till cheese is melty!
KD Cheesecake Bars
1 blue velvet cake mix
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
3 (8 ounce) containers cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
juice of one orange
zest of 1 orange
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 cup blueberry preserves
2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
To make the crust: In a medium sized bowl mix tougher the cake mix, melted butter and one egg till it forms a ball. Press this into the bottom of the baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes. While the crust is cooking prepare the cheesecake filling. Using a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, eggs and sweetened condensed milk for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla a paste, orange zest and orange juice. Stir just till it is mixed in. Beat in the flour. Pour cheesecake filling onto warm crust and return to the oven to bake for 30 minutes or until the cheesecake filling does not jiggle. Allow this to cool on the counter completely. Spread blueberry preserves over the top and then decorate with orange slices. Place cheesecake bars in the refrigerator to chill for at least 6 hours before serving. Cut into squares and enjoy!