home cooking

I learned to cook late when I was in my mid-30s. Much as I love my food, I am lazy and prefer food that cooks itself. Besides, the cooking and eating never seem to take as much time and effort as the prepping or cleaning. Le sigh!

Miso Soup with Enoki and Shitake Mushrooms

Baked Turkey Wings

Gala Apples and Organic Peanut Butter

Ever since moving State-side the need for simple, fast, hearty and healthy meals has grown. Although a vast selection of choices are available, every now and then the longing for a home cooked meal cannot be ignored.

Gambas and mushrooms al ajillo, cucumber and tomato salad
with brown rice steamed in coconut cream and lemon grass.

With Mahala here visiting, it's been fun to indulge in many of our fave recipes. Cooking at home is also our time to bond, exchange tips or tricks, experiment on new and old fare, root out seasonal bargains and treats.

Potato bread with fresh spring greens, egg salad and
turkey hotdog tidbits. 

Planning our meals, scouring through recipe choices, shopping for our ingredients, and returning home with our haul has been a wondrous adventure. We do the rounds of my favorite neighborhood shops ~ the bakery, the fruit stand, the flower shop, the deli, the Latino grocery, carniceria or seafood market.

Grilled octopus over brown rice and mixed salad greens.

Like a proud mama chook, I introduce her to all the shopkeepers who cluck over her as we all oooh and ahhh with pleasure. We cruise up and down the aisles beaming in the bright array of smiles and laughter. It's much more fun than when I go on my own.

Chicken Adobo

At home, all I have to do to please Mahala is stir fry some garlic and onions in a pan. Bacon and eggs send her to gastronomical heaven. Her appreciative gasps and squeals propel me to break out the waffle maker and bake more complex meals. Even the dishwasher gets used!

Putanesca Pasta

We are tickled beyond measure and even our flops are hilarious when we can make fun of them together.

Deli Cold Cuts Sandwich