I must admit…
I must admit…
*I am a cook, but I am by no means a photographer. I only take between 2 to 4 photos of each dish I feature. My husband likes his food really hot, and I don’t like to wait to eat when dinner is ready.
*I can’t wait for oatmeal. I miss the flavors of banana mixed with coconut, peanut butter, and oats. Fall is coming!
*I am not self taught. My mom taught me a lot about cooking from a young age. I remember running in the house after dance or whatever activity I was into at the time and heading up the stairs to shower, asking my mom what was for dinner on the way. After I showered fast fast I would jet down the stairs 2 steps at a time to help my mom with dinner. I loved the simple tasks of peeling cucumbers, even though it took me twice the time as my mom, and setting the table. I loved helping bread chicken breasts or check on the pasta. I loved helping my mom (and my nonna) because it was girls’ bonding time, and I was part of the special club.
*I can’t wait for Foodbuzz Festival, Year 2. I had the time of my life last year. I especially can’t wait to eat and buy some Frog Hollow Farm pears. They were the juiciest pears I’ve ever tasted.
*I don’t think about my recipes too much. I don’t plan too much. I am probably inspired for about 3 recipes a week using the techniques mentioned here, and the rest come from throwing items together from the pantry and fridge. I only share the ones I really want you to know about, even if it means I skip a day or two of blogging here and there.
*I give the appearance of being a super planner and organizing my life really well. In reality, I am lazy. I like simple, quick recipes because they are perfect for a lazy girl.
*In the same regard, I like healthy recipes because I like to eat a lot. I am definitely a volume eater (like many of you!) and would rather have a huge salad than just a little bowl of risotto.
*I am watching The Simpsons right now. And I’m laughing hysterically.
*I still have my Rancho Gordo Borlotti beans from last November. They are so valuable I’ve been afraid to use them. Ideas?
The memories of helping my mom and my grandmas in the kitchen are some of my favorite ones. I can’t wait to do the same with a daughter (hopefully :)) someday!
I SO want to go to Food Buzz….I need a sponsor as I can’t afford to go on my own right now :(. Sponsors? Give some love to Itzy’s Kitchen (shameless promotion ;)). Hope you’re doing well. I love that first pic of you! I also grew up helping my Mom cook- its how I learned and how I came to really appreciate food. How about a crock pot soup or stew with those beans? Simple flavors that really let the beans stand out!
Since the fall is almost here, make a bean soup with beef, potatoes, carrots and onions. Or chili. Or rice and beans served with fried plantains.
Or you can just cook them as is and make a summer salad with tomatoes, avocado, cilantro and a lemon/garlic dressing.
@Olga @ MangoTomato, With all of those ideas how do I pick one?! Do you have a recipe on your site for a bean soup with beef, potatoes, carrots and onions? I would love to try it… if you do please give me the link! π
and THANK YOU for your suggestions!!
sorry. don’t have a recipe…my mom makes it…I think you just add some beef to the pot, add water and beans. cook till tender-ish. then add potatoes. when almost done, add sauteed carrots with onions. it makes sense in my head…but can turn out to be a disaster π
@Olga @ MangoTomato, OK I will try that- thank you.. That should use up about 1/2 the bag!!! Thanks for ur help!
I love oats too much to note eat them in the summer. I do eat them less and definitely not on super hot days.
What a great post! I love the memories of standing on a stool to be able to reach the counter and love being in the kitchen with my 3 year old niece doing the same when I visit!
Can’t wait for Foodbuzz Fest! Already bought my plane ticket π
I am going to Foodbuzz this year! So excited since I had to miss out last year last minute. Hope to be able to hang out with you some too π
Sabrina, I had my first bowl of oatmeal yesterday. I’m getting ready!! There is nothing like a warm bowl of oatmeal in the morning!
I’d love to see some of your recipes for oatmeal! Do share, do share π
I love my Mom but I did not really get my skills from her. I picked them up from various boyfriends’ moms and also my MIL and lots and lots of reading. I think that is why I am just now getting good at throwing things together rather than following a recipe. I am a late bloomer. π
I also can’t wait to go back to the foodbuzz festival – it was sooo much fun last year!
i just about died at that picture of you as a kid…SO beautiful!
i want to go to the foodbuzz festival, but i just dont’ know if i can handle the $$$ to get out to san francisco π so now you HAVE to take tons of photos so i can pretend i’m there!
This will be my first time at the Foodbuzz festival and I am so looking forward to it:)
I can’t wait for the foodbuzz festival either! those pears were so good…
You’re so awesome!
I like simple recipes too, I think that’s why I don’t really care for baking. Too many ingredients.
I also learned all my cooking from my Mom and Grandma. I learned my love of it from them and can’t wait to pass it on.
Make the beans and I’ll send you more if you need them! π I love those beans. I made a simple tomato sauce and served the beans with that, plus sauteed onions and small meatballs. It was modeled after a dish from a restaurant in SF and it was delish!
I can relate to those…especially only wanting quick and easy meals. And not taking a ton of pictures of food.
Just found your blog via Foodbuzz… LOVE it! π I am itching to go to the Foodbuzz Festival this year- I’ve got to get the iside scoop! Do most the married girls go alone or do they bring their hubbies along? I am totally new to FB and the Festival… clueless! haha π
Mmm I have been eating oatmeal the past couple of days, even though it’s not cool yet, it’s just so good. Even with pumpkin, so out of season! But it’s so good. I like it with peaches too. Bananas and pb will be making an appearance again soon- and I love the idea of adding coconut, I’ve never tried that!
I can’t wait for Foodbuzz Festival 2.0 either!! I’ll be 38 weeks pregnant but I’m going someway somehow!!
I totally relate to this post! I love the bits about volume eating and oatmeal…two of my faves! Luckily voluminous foods (veggies, fruits, etc.) are healthy foods, that way we can continue to eat the way we like! Love your site.
Loved the picture of you when you were young! We loved being in the kitchen with our mom and sisters ; ) Fun times and lots of life lessons, and some cooking lessons as well.
I just ate my first piece of Frog Hollow fruit yesterday- the most perfect peach I’ve ever imagined, let alone eaten!!
I can’t wait for Foodbuzz Festival either!!! I didn’t get to go last year so I can’t WAIT for this year!!
I’m so excited for Foodbuzz as well!! I hear it’s the weekend of the year π