On Thursdays, we eat Haitian rice and beans. We pray for our friends in Haiti and around the world.We started this tradition in January before we knew the coronavirus even existed. Long before people were stocking their pantries for home quarantine. We wanted to eat this simple meal in solidarity with people who survive on little.Haitian rice and ... [Keep Reading...]
Recipes
The Art of Hospitality
The second you walked into my Grandma Cora’s house you smelled the fragrance of onions, ginger, and garlic sautéing. She was always swirling pancit noodles in her big pot and you could hear the music of the carrots and celery dancing as she added a splash of soy sauce. No matter what time of day – morning, noon, or night – Grandma always had ... [Keep Reading...]
Table talk: Savoring time around the table
My Italian mama made dinner time a special event. She was always in the kitchen stirring the sauce, putting my brother and me to work rolling meatballs, and stuffing manicotti shells for company. She instilled in us that meals were an opportunity to extend hospitality. My parents loved to invite friends from church, neighbors, and my friends from ... [Keep Reading...]
Instant Pot Filipino Garlic Fried Rice: A creative way to celebrate friendship
A few of my favorite things are good food and celebrating my people. A few months ago, my friend's husband enlisted me to help plan a 40th birthday party for her. Bev's desire was to gather together with a small group of girlfriends and cook up a fabulous dinner together. Then she wanted to invite the husbands to join us around the table to enjoy ... [Keep Reading...]
Italian Easter Bread: Anticipating the resurrection
When I was a little girl, I used to love to go to my Grandma Sara's house for Easter. When you walked in her kitchen anytime during Holy Week, you were greeted by the intoxicating aroma of fresh bread. Grandma would make a little braided loaf for each of us kids. Yep, that's right. A personal loaf for each of us. The best part was I didn't have ... [Keep Reading...]
Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken: Leaning into vulnerability
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...]
