Lunar New Year: Hua Juan (Flower Rolls), Steamed Fish, and Homemade Noodles

I thought I would NEVER get through this meal… preparing it, that is. Don’t get me wrong, the flower rolls, fish, and noddle dish were all good but time consuming (as most of my weekend meals of late have been). Let’s get to the reason for the weekend. As mentioned and described in detail inContinue reading “Lunar New Year: Hua Juan (Flower Rolls), Steamed Fish, and Homemade Noodles”

Happy (Lunar) New Year’s Eve! Try a Traditional Dish this Weekend…

Having taught international middle and high school students over the years, I have come to understand and appreciate the importance of Lunar New Year. From year to year the date changes, but those years when New Year’s Day is held during the workweek, we find our friends native to Asian cultures a little tired, aContinue reading “Happy (Lunar) New Year’s Eve! Try a Traditional Dish this Weekend…”

Filipino Ensaymada Rolls #2: Savory and Sweet Variations to Individual Tastes

After my last post (Jan. 20th) on the Ensaymada bread rolls and reflecting on how versatile this bread can be in treating it like a cinnamon roll with flavored layers, I decided on a follow-up post with flavor combination suggestions for individual preferences. This dough easily lends itself to both savory and sweet variations toContinue reading “Filipino Ensaymada Rolls #2: Savory and Sweet Variations to Individual Tastes”

Philippines on our minds: Filipino Ensaymada Bread and Lumpiang Sariwa

It has been a bittersweet time for the Philippines these recent weeks. First, I want to acknowledge the elephant in the room at this time of celebration… The Taal Volcano eruption that occurred one week, January 12, 2020, before the biggest annual celebration on the island. This volcano is known as the world’s smallest yetContinue reading “Philippines on our minds: Filipino Ensaymada Bread and Lumpiang Sariwa”

Zanzibar Sesame Flat Bread with Calamari Curry and Coconut Rice

This past Sunday, January 12th, marked Zanzibar’s Revolution Day when in 1964 the Sultan was overthrown following the independence from Britain (1963). Zanzibar (small speck at the end of the arrow) is an island (comprised of small islands) located just off the coast of Tanzania (highlighted in green) in eastern Africa. It’s considered a semi-autonomousContinue reading “Zanzibar Sesame Flat Bread with Calamari Curry and Coconut Rice”

Rye Bread and New Year’s Day Traditions

New Year’s Day traditions are specific to different cultures around the world. A new year, a new beginning, and hopes for a healthy and prosperous year seem to be common themes for us all. I’m not a new year’s resolution kind of person as I try to modify my life as I see the need;Continue reading “Rye Bread and New Year’s Day Traditions”

Italian Panettone

The Italian Panettone is an iconic Christmas sweet bread. While similar to fruitcake containing some of the same ingredients, it really isn’t the same. In fact, many people like this Italian version as it is a lighter yeast bread than fruitcake and full of dried fruit, citrus zest, lots of butter, eggs, and sugar. It’sContinue reading “Italian Panettone”

German Christmas Stollen

I’ve never made anything more reminiscent of my childhood than the German Stollen (maybe behind my grandma’s rolls 😊). The irony is that I’ve never eaten Stollen. So, how’s that possible… well actually, it wasn’t the Stollen itself but rather the ingredients that went into it… the store-bought, sugar-coated jelly Orange Slices and Fruit Loops…Continue reading “German Christmas Stollen”

Berry Family Tribute via the Matriarch through Bread

What Country this week? This week’s blog is not country focused, but instead a tribute to my family, the Berry family, in southern America… more specifically… Arkansas. I no longer live in the south nor cook southern food (except for cornbread once in a while and biscuits), but my memories of good downhome southern foodContinue reading “Berry Family Tribute via the Matriarch through Bread”

November belongs to Panama: Part 2- 2nd Bake

November is Panama’s month. Since there are so many patriotic days of celebration in Panama this month, I wanted to spend more than one post talking about it and making more than one bake. Part 2 accompanying dish inspiration: I admit, I probably should have made the Sancocho (Chicken Soup- Panama’s national dish); however, sinceContinue reading “November belongs to Panama: Part 2- 2nd Bake”