I’m so fortunate to know people from different cultures for many reasons. One of the best reasons is learning about amazing food and food cultures around the world. The first time I had this Seco de Carne, it was prepared for me by Peruvian friends. After tasting it, I thought it might be the best…
Mama Smith’s Baked Beans
When I was a kid, I spent the summers with my grandparents. My grandmother, Mama Smith, was a great cook, and she cooked everyday. No matter what she made for a homecoming, pot luck or family reunion, it was always the first dish empty. One of my favorite dishes she made was baked beans. They…
Sausage & Peppers
“You wanna eat, you gotta cook!” This is the motto for one of my favorite YouTube vloggers, Grandma Gina. I enjoy watching her prepare dishes she learned to make when just a girl in Italy. Her videos are wholesome and her food is delicious. I’ve made several of her dishes and recently bought her cookbook!…
My Potato Soup
The new year began without fanfare. Hopes and dreams went unexpressed. Instead, we cast our eyes behind us wondering if things would ever be the same. We learned the future couldn’t be foretold. The new year came, and we held our breath. Winter is the time to wait. It’s the time when all of…
Chocolate Babka
“Life is short, and it’s up to you to make it sweet.” ~ Sarah L. Delany And sweet I will make it. This babka was even better than I imagined it would be. It was well worth the time put into it. There is nothing hard about making this bread though it does require time. …
Tacos de Alambre
One of my favorite YouTubers is Claudia Regalado. I go to her channel to learn how to prepare delicious Mexican food. Her recipes always inspire me and not one has failed yet. This recipe is my favorite so far and is so easy and incredibly good. It is marinated chicken cooked with bacon, peppers and…
Paella Mixta
“Tenemos que quedar un día para comer una paella.” “We have to stay all day to eat a paella.” A paella isn’t made fast and it shouldn’t be eaten fast. A paella is all about enjoyment. I mean just look at it! Paella was my introduction into Spanish food and the best paella I’ve…
Blueberry Scones
“You ought to have seen what I saw on my way To the village, through Mortenson’s pasture to-day: Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb, Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum In the cavernous pail of the first one to come! And all ripe together, not some of them green And…
Judías Blancas con Chorizo
“Judías manchegas, muchas gordas y buenas.” The beans of Spain are very fat and very good. That’s all you need to know. Don’t pass the chance to bite into the creamy, buttery goodness they offer. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any on hand but these imported Italian butter beans, fagioli bianchi di spagna, were a good substitute. Find…
Chocolate Loaf Cake
“New thoughts and hopes were whirling through my mind, and all the colors of my life were changing.” ~ Charles Dickens, David Copperfield It is deep November and the season has drawn me inward. The shortened days and long nights have slowed down the natural activity of my body and my mind has awaken to latent…
Carne Guisada (Spanish Beef Stew w/ Tomatoes and Olives)
“This was after stew. But then, so is everything. When the first man crawled out of the slime and went to make his home on land, what he had for dinner that night was stew.” ~ William Goldman, The Princess Bride I don’t believe I’ve ever order stew in a restaurant. Stew is for home,…