A Holiday Greeting

A Holiday Greeting

May the joy of the season envelop you and your loved ones with smiles and treasured memories as the holidays progress. I hope you have a joyous and festive Christmas.

Thank you for all your support this past year.

“It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you.”—Saint Teresa of Calcutta.

Tender, Juicy and Delicious Meatballs

It is an undeniable fact that meatballs are a gift. The height of perfection when it comes to products containing ground meat.

After seasoning, the meatballs are formed, pan-fried, and cooked in gravy. Accompanied by some roasted carrots and potatoes. You may enjoy this with some steam rice as well.

"For me, the cooking life has been a long love affair, with moments both sublime and ridiculous. But like a love affair, looking back you remember the happy times best." - Anthony Bourdain

Creamy Lemony Chicken Sausage Orzo

This one-pot meal is a great addition to any recipe book. This recipe might be your go-to on nights when your fridge is nearly empty or you just don't have the energy to prepare a fancy dinner. Here, orzo gets toasted in olive oil that’s infused with the flavors of lemon, garlic, and butter before cooking in a flavorful chicken broth amped up with tomatoes and dried oregano. When they simmer, the starch they produce gives the sauce a creamy texture that is reminiscent of risotto. It's a quick and easy dinner to prepare because everything is prepared in a single pot in less than an hour. Topped with fresh Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.

“Eating is so intimate. It’s very sensual. When you invite someone to sit at your table and you want to cook for them, you’re inviting a person into your life.” — Maya Angelou

A Happy New Year To All

There is a lot of pressure to have the greatest year ever. Don't get me wrong. Though it certainly didn't go as well as I had hoped, it's still great in many respects. Even when my hopes for the outcome were not realized. Establishing intentions and expectations is beneficial, in my opinion, as they can be our compass. Nevertheless, clinging to them too firmly can prevent us from really experiencing life as it is. It's our unpredictable nature that sustains us when reality falls short of our expectations, which happens most of the time. I discovered that when we fully embrace the unexpected, we may experience the most treasured experiences and insightful teachings.

Here’s to an even brighter 2024 to all of us!

“Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.” ― Allen Saunders

"My mama always said, Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." -Forrest Gump

Beef Salpicao

The ideal dish saving you time in the kitchen and enabling you to spend more time with your family. This delectable Filipino dish is called beef salpicao. Recognized for its succulent beef cubes cooked in a flavorful sauce with a lot of garlic. It is easy to make and can be eaten as a main course or as an appetizer. One of the greatest comfort dishes ever. Delightful with a bowl of white rice.

To me, food is as much about the moment, the occasion, the location and the company as it is about the taste.

- Heston Blumenthal

Japanese Food Cravings

More people are becoming familiar with the unique culinary culture of Japan as the cuisine spreads throughout the country. People are lining up to get their hands on tempura, ramen, sushi rolls and other Japanese dishes. I'm taking a break and ordering takeout in the interim, but home cooks like myself are busily preparing their way through replicating some of their favorite Japanese dishes at home.

I ordered the following:

Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura Agedashi Tofu

Philladelphia Roll Salmon Skin Roll California Roll

"If I were trapped in one city and had to eat one nation's cuisine for the rest of my life, I would not mind eating Japanese. I adore Japanese food. I love it." - Anthony Bourdain