Felicia Brantner grew up in the mountains of West Virginia, and learned how to peel a potato with a knife when she was five years old.  Now, she’s the mom of FIVE children, all boys, which includes two sets of twins. Yes, you read that right. This woman gave birth to twins, TWICE. That alone should secure her title as ‘Mom of the Year’, but she goes above and beyond to make her children feel supported and full. She pours her heart and soul into everything she makes, and anyone who is lucky enough to eat one of Mama Fee’s meals feels the love in every bite. 

What’s in this episode:

• Meet Felicia Brantner, the ultimate BoyMom
• Felicia describes the first food she remembers tasting  
• We hear what Felicia’s life was like growing up in German valley, West Virginia 
• Felicia’s Aunts taught life lessons through cooking
• Mill gravy versus brown gravy 
• Ever heard of “ramps’? They’re a particular onion only grown in West Virginia. Felicia explains. 
• We learn exactly what Hamburger Steak is and why this meal is so special in Felicia’s home
• Cooking tip! Add sour cream or heavy cream for ultra creamy mashed potatoes
• Felicia’s tip: If you’re cooking with milk, flour or tomatoes, add extra salt 
• Felicia gives us a delicious green bean recipe. 
• The sneaky ways that Felicia gets her children to eat veggies 
• How Felicia meal preps for a family of seven 
• Life lessons from Felicia’s father
• Friday curse words: her house rules around swearing
• The hilarious reason they have FOUR Alexa devices in their house
• How Felicia earned the nickname “Mama Fee” 
• The difference between hamburger steak and salisbury steak and chicken fried steak 
• What foods the state of Virginia does right 
• The only two states you can find Queso dip
• Y'all - three words: Pineapple. Cheddar. Casserole. 

Quotes from this episode: 

• “We were onion people.” 
• “Every time I make that meal, I think about what it meant to grow up in the country, in West Virginia, on the side of a mountain.”
• "In my home, the ultimate focus is that my children feel loved. That they have all the encouragement to be exactly who they are and that they have this really deep sense of ‘Mom’s got me’.

Connect with Felicia's Mom Group at https://www.midlothianmoms.com/

Be on the Show

Tell us your food stories!  The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to dearfoodpodcast@gmail.com 

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