Cooking
Sisterly Dinner Collab
I’d planned to make vegetarian enchiladas since my sister was following a red meat fast. Turned out, the cauliflower salad she’d prepared contained bacon. That bacon grease would have been sequestered in a jar had I not rescued some of it. Instead of using vegetable oil to make the enchilada sauce, I used bacon grease … Continue reading
Becoming a Family Recipe
Apparently, I created a monster on that faithful day when I found a tin of herring while foraging in the cabinets for something to eat. I didn’t eat the canned herring in that moment. Mostly because it was canned herring. Instead I researched recipes that use it as an ingredient. Out of a sea of … Continue reading
Naturally-Dyed Red Velvet Cake
I didn’t grow up celebrating Juneteenth, but I learned more about its origins and celebration, thanks to living in Austin, TX for 14 years. One of the aspects of the celebration is consuming red libations. The color red has symbolic meanings from blood to spiritual renewal. One particular red food that caught my eye was … Continue reading
Orange Peel Jello Shots
Of all the things to teach the younger generations, perhaps this one was near the bottom of the list. So happy we got to it! One of my nieces, who already makes Jello Shots, helped me with this twist on the alcoholic dessert. Since we didn’t have a handheld juicer, we first squeezed the oranges … Continue reading
Upcycled White Sangria
Another drinkable treat! Once again, I found myself using up something in the refrigerator that my parents, this time Dad, had opened, but hadn’t finished. Specifically, a bottle of peach wine and a bottle of a dessert wine. Both bottles had about a glass of wine left in them. Lord only knows when that would’ve … Continue reading
Labor Day BBQ
Our famous family hibachi. It’s older than I am. We were both brought back from Okinawa, Japan the second time my family was stationed there with the Air Force. When my sister took the rainproof cover off the hibachi, a slew of cockroaches scattered. The last time the grill had been used was during the … Continue reading
Progressive New Year’s Day Dinner
I can’t say that I love or hate to cook. I love eating a variety of foods. I search for the most interesting dishes, depending on which ingredients I have on hand, what genre I’m in the mood for, and in general, however the stars have aligned. Since Saturday was the start of the new … Continue reading
Garlic Shot Upgrade
Mom is the home remedy queen. Something I take for granted until my general health dips. Years ago when she visited me for a week, she battled a ragweed allergy. She didn’t load up on cough drops like I normally do. Instead, she kept making herself garlic shots. She peels a garlic clove. Minces it … Continue reading
Jalapeño Sausage and Cheese Buttermilk Biscuits
I’ve been on a months’ long culinary journey, which took me through a baking tour of quiches, muffins, breakfast casseroles and finally biscuits. Mom sent me my first biscuit recipe, which I of course modified. These babies are as big as my hand and are a complete breakfast unto themselves. Since I have a strict, … Continue reading
No More Kisses
Aging is a physical adventure. Simply waking up in pain without having done anything too strenuous or different the day before reminds me I’m middle aged. My newest pain indicator started occurring about 30 minutes after lunch. My usual routine was an hourlong noontime yoga class followed by lunch with a glass of red wine … Continue reading