Many of my recipes and ideas about food come from my desire to understand the history of our cuisine. Why do we eat the things that we eat? Why do cultures prepare foods differently from one another? Why does my family eat the way they do? What exactly were my "abuelitas" up to in their kitchens when I was too young to notice or appreciate the nuances and so-called "secrets" of their cooking? This recipe is my attempt to unlock and better understand one of those secrets. Please join me on my culinary journey into the ancient past to rediscover a lost culinary art. Click "Read More" to get started! :)

Lemon curd is one of those things that once you learn how to make it, you will find yourself looking for excuses to make more. In my house that is never a problem. My kids and their friends gobble this stuff right up! Lemon curd can be enjoyed on toast, fresh fruit, as a cake filling, or even all by itself. You can also use it in lots of cool desserts. Try folding some fresh whipped cream into some lemon curd for an amazing pie filling!  I put this particular recipe together for my daughter's best pal Opal. Of all the things I cook around here, this is her absolute favorite! Click "Read More " for the details. :)

Recently, my parents came by for a visit and brought me something very special in a crumpled brown paper bag. When I opened the bag, it was filled with a bunch of highly fragrant little orange-like fruits. My folks had been in the East Bay checking out my sister's new home. Her house is located in an established neighborhood with some nice citrus trees in the backyard. One of those trees was a kumquat tree. Kumquats may not be the most common variety of citrus fruit out there, but boy do these little babies sure pack a wallop of flavor! The fragrance was so amazing that I had to try and capture that essence in a bottle. I think this recipe does a pretty good job of that. This versatile syrup can be used in so many ways. Use it to sweeten your tea, or drizzle some over a pound cake. You can even make a damn good cocktail with this stuff! I bet you could make an awesome whiskey sour or maybe a nice gin-based drink! It is also used as a folk remedy for coughs. Anywhere you need a little citrus kick, this kumquat syrup will do nicely. Let's get to it. Click "Read More" for the details. :)