When you sit down face-to-face with someone at the table for a meal, it invites familiarity and intimacy. In our busy world where connection often happens in quick texts or over social media, time connecting at the table is rare. It takes vulnerability to invite someone into your space, to prepare food and go deeper in conversation. Author Brene ... [Keep Reading...]
Recipes
Italian Pizzelle cookies: Mixing up sweet memories
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making Italian pizzelle cookies. My mom always made them for our teachers and friends when we were growing up. She learned from her mom, who is in Heaven. Now my daughters love making them too. These show-stopper cookies are light and buttery with a dusting of powdered sugar that makes them look like ... [Keep Reading...]
Italian Wedding Soup: Sharing our souls over a hearty bowl of soup
These past several weeks have been marked by tragic headlines - hurricanes whipping coastal cities and neighboring islands, floods devastating Texas, forest fires chasing up the state of California, and a mass shooting in Las Vegas. These natural disasters and national tragedies weigh heavy on my heart. They push those in the eye of the storm into ... [Keep Reading...]
Haitian stuffed chayote squash: It ain’t easy being cheesy
One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to hang out in the kitchen with the native cooks. On my recent trip to Haiti, I did just that and learned a new recipe for Militon Faci. Madame Adeline, a new cook on staff at the guest house where we stay, attended culinary school in Port Au Prince. I've long had a love affair with Haitian food. ... [Keep Reading...]
Haitian stuffed chayote squash: It ain't easy being cheesy
Ingredients: -5 chayote squash -1/2 teaspoon salt plus 1/4 teaspoon salt -1 small onion -1 small green pepper -1/2 cup flour -1 cup milk -1/4 cup butter plus 2 tablespoons cut into small chunks -3 sprigs parsley -1 stalk green onion -2 drops Tabasco sauce -1 bouillon cube -1/4 cup parmesan cheese Directions: 1. Cut 5 chayote in half. Remove center ... [Keep Reading...]
Freedom Soup: Soup Joumou (Haitian Pumpkin Soup)
My family is flying out to Haiti this evening. We are so excited to see all our friends after two years. I decided to share with you today one of my favorite main dishes they make us in Haiti. It's called Soup Joumou or Pumpkin Soup. It's really more like a stew. Soup Joumou (pronounced joo-moo) is a central part of New Year’s tradition in ... [Keep Reading...]
