https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog daily 1.0 2023-08-01 https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/homemade-bone-broth monthly 0.5 2023-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1681062524399-NRLUELOF531Y68KKTQX1/unsplash-image-BhnZwPW_tIc.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Why you should make homemade Bone Broth Let’s say you’re into roasting your own chicken. Preferably you’ve got an organic bird. You’ve had dinner and taken off just about all of the meat. What’s left is a carcass that you would probably just toss. No need! We’re going to put it to use. This chicken is going to be recycled! (If you didn’t roast your own chicken, no worries. You can do this with a store-bought roasted bird). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1681183435827-F0PGMGD3V9912HDWZA6P/unsplash-image-0em3k8ebFCs.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Why you should make homemade Bone Broth - When you come home, your house is going to smell heavenly. You can leave it on longer if you wish, but you’ve been cooking it for 24 hours and I find that to be long enough. Turn off the slow cooker and let it cool down for a few hours. Strain out all the bones and vegetables, and divide the liquid into jars that you can use right away (refrigerating those), and freeze the rest in some freezer-friendly storage containers if you won’t be making a big pot of soup in the next few days (just make sure you refrigerate the broth first. If it’s even slightly hot, the glass will crack in the freezer). Make sure you leave a little room at the top of your Mason jar to allow for expansion. What you have before you is gloriously deep golden amber-colored broth, something that could never be achieved in the store-bought varieties. In comparison, commercially produced broth virtually chases the chicken through the water and out the other side. This broth that you just made has a complex bouquet of flavors unrivaled by anything on the market. Just look at it! It’s golden color is rich and full of life-giving goodness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1681061133655-RKDGDY8XXOYELVRKWIFL/unsplash-image-WPaUC6FrAZ0.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Why you should make homemade Bone Broth - Make it stand out The color of homemade broth depends on the length of time it cooks down. I like it medium to dark, for robust flavor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1681061628538-EJCWDM5WL5RRPH17FXW8/broth+ingredients.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Why you should make homemade Bone Broth - Take your carcass, add chunks of yellow onion or leek, a couple of roughly chopped carrots and celery stalks, a bay leaf, a little salt and freshly ground pepper, maybe some herbs like parsley and thyme, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar (very important, I’ll tell you why in a bit), and throw all this into your slow cooker, adding enough filtered water to cover everything, Set it on low, do the dishes, watch some TV, and go to bed. The next morning, ignore it and go to work, leaving the slow cooker on. Yes, I’m serious. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/a-history-of-fruit-crate-labels monthly 0.5 2023-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/f0449880-ac00-429e-a2f3-51bff7889958/Fruitcratelabel.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - My love of fruit crate labels - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/b6a4f8a7-3eab-4c18-82c5-c89e3c9ade5a/Fruitcratelabel+1.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - My love of fruit crate labels - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1679664783545-S6AX7Y3BN3XIWPRMPF72/20210828_110403.jpg A Passion for Flavor - My love of fruit crate labels https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1679664783774-I0L6K17LW51SBTYZHZZ0/20210818_074308.jpg A Passion for Flavor - My love of fruit crate labels https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1679664787759-SENCBO8PROX3HZPTQ2CI/20210818_074324.jpg A Passion for Flavor - My love of fruit crate labels https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1679664787814-H2ZZ73B65Z5TN00BDB0U/20210828_110411.jpg A Passion for Flavor - My love of fruit crate labels https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1678884423353-PNZHGCIG74SZWVJHDQS8/Laspalmas.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - My love of fruit crate labels https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1678884423354-AJ18LRYDKFYMZMCRP5YO/Madras.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - My love of fruit crate labels https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1678884424114-K8EQ29QSSGK6U6DMWASN/Ojai.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - My love of fruit crate labels https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1678884424182-Z1EIE9DD15CK7V5B32AD/pears.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - My love of fruit crate labels https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/eat-your-carrots-1 monthly 0.5 2023-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/439d0537-fb96-4166-8c93-29a7fa85a61c/carrot+compote.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Eat Your Carrots - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1679149163887-SBQRS229QRFKRR4HP5FC/carrots.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Eat Your Carrots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1679149163844-R9E5L6X5TQNY1005KHJ8/carrot-cake-recipe-9.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Eat Your Carrots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1679149164465-CLYO3NVUFAZXK5X8UES3/make+a+cake.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Eat Your Carrots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1679148580451-SXBP8BVM397UX1Z7DNB3/unsplash-image-fcgPRZmTM5w.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Eat Your Carrots - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/swiss-chard-stuffed-with-ground-pork monthly 0.5 2023-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1678851394052-9OV21MXMUHCMBN79G9L0/IMG_6920.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Swiss Chard, stuffed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1678851394236-MQYHYQAA2TQRRF6K3GJJ/IMG_6921.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Swiss Chard, stuffed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1678851398954-WWHXU84VQD8MTU865GK2/20230225_184406.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Swiss Chard, stuffed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1678851399355-JQFCVA32UKJTW0AAIOZ7/20230225_184433.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Swiss Chard, stuffed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/db6e1425-7b7d-48e5-9acc-82e7e43f18e0/P1020025.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Swiss Chard, stuffed - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/grown-up-mac-ncheese monthly 0.5 2023-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/0b1facba-fcb5-455f-ba02-100d46fcc544/C189F8E0-51B2-49CF-8125-F863ED022B9F_1_105_c.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Grown up Mac n’Cheese - Make it stand out Penne al Forno https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/5e9ec76a-83e3-4d55-b0a8-65cdb828e266/A5F7E23F-2244-4DC1-9B5F-812B36655722_1_105_c.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Grown up Mac n’Cheese - For me, I’d serve this as a main dish with a green salad, keeping it a lighter menu. For heartier fare, you could serve it as a first course, followed by grilled chicken, meat, or fish. Penne al Forno pairs nicely with either a white or a red wine. For white, I’d choose a wine that could cut through the fat of this dish, like a dry Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. For red, I’d go with something like a lighter Zinfandel or Pinot Noir. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/what-are-you-baking-for-christmas monthly 0.5 2022-12-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1671390284434-SSJ3IRRBQ0VAJKACTFWZ/unsplash-image-_Skvg1Izyxc.jpg A Passion for Flavor - What I’m baking for Christmas Weihnachtsstollen (Christmas Stollen), a traditional yeasted loaf studded with candied fruit, raisins and marzipan! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/76576f12-7da5-43d8-8fab-8ae2de2754f1/german-christmas-market.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - What I’m baking for Christmas - Make it stand out Stalls are placed in the center of town for everyone to congregate, shop, eat and enjoy during the holiday season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/9e76de43-0109-45b9-9071-d64cfcff0d02/nordicware+gingerbread+mold.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - What I’m baking for Christmas - I was kind of excited about it, but also nervous, because I have virtually zero experience piping royal icing on anything. I was worried I’d have crooked lines and rather than something lovely to look at, it would look like the haunted mansion or something scary. I was also afraid that the cake wouldn’t come out of the mold and the roof would get torn off as I tried to unmold it and that I would have to reconstruct it somehow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/65e5d56e-ce51-4919-b093-865f470b122c/20221220_193747.jpg A Passion for Flavor - What I’m baking for Christmas As an adult each year, I look through my recipes and scour the internet for German Christmas cookie recipes and narrow it down to just 2-3 varieties that I decide to bake. I don’t go too crazy. This year I decided to make Vanillekipfeln (vanilla crescents dusted with powdered sugar) and Hazelnussmacronen (hazelnut macaroons). Recipes compliments of The Toasty Kitchen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/7e0e3926-fff0-4749-a0c3-0e8f9dd9edd9/Gingerbread+House+Attempt+%231.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - What I’m baking for Christmas - Make it stand out Ta dah! Gingerbread house dusted with “snow”. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/my-memories-of-minestrone monthly 0.5 2022-12-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/cbdf217e-57e6-4aef-9dbb-e7417ca73e70/Minestrone-12.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - My Memories of Minestrone - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/how-to-roast-a-pig monthly 0.5 2022-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/a14666f2-1479-4448-b9e0-18b8c8fb5972/cooking-in-the-1800s-david-lee-thompson.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - How to Roast a Pig - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/325612a8-5417-449a-9a68-56cee0b54db5/Housekpg+in+Old+Virg.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - How to Roast a Pig - “Housekeeping in Old Virginia” was written by Marion Cabell Tyree, the granddaughter of Patrick Henry, and published in 1879. It contains a collection of 1700 favorite Virginian recipes from 250 famous Virginian families. On the title page, it tells us these are “Contributions from 250 of Virginia’s noted housewives, distinguished for their skill in the culinary art and other branches of domestic economy”. At the bottom of that page it reads “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies…She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness”. Prov. xxxi, 10,27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/0775ae13-e485-414f-af8a-b8a32d83173a/colonial+kitchen.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - How to Roast a Pig - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/d1b8b049-4f9a-478e-a042-ee6e6a80ed7c/1800s+cooking.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - How to Roast a Pig - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/cooking-and-the-brain monthly 0.5 2022-11-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/f09374f2-16bd-469f-bb22-fcc0266ed7e1/brain.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Cooking and the Brain There is a theory that cooking food actually made humans smarter. That’s the thought according to anthropologist Richard Wrangham. I remember reading that years ago when I visited the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. I found this extremely interesting and have always wanted to learn more about our brain development over the millenia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/6e9001bd-9331-45ec-b781-1eb15aba9117/unsplash-image-1j18807_ul0.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Cooking and the Brain - At some point in our history, Homo Erectus learned to cook when someone discovered fire, although we don’t really know when that was. It could have been 300,000 to 400,000 years ago - while scientists think campfires were made nearly a million years ago. What is clear is that a shift was beginning when that happened. Not only were we going from a raw food diet to a cooked food diet, but we were making cultural improvements as well. It was a slow shift. But it seems that cooking caused the human brain to double in size over the course of hundreds of thousands of years. (Similarly sized primates - gorillas, chimps and other apes, all of which continued to subsist on a diet of raw food - did not). The reason for this is that larger brains require more calories to fuel them. A raw food diet does not provide enough calories to sustain brain growth like that. Foraging for our food required a lot of time. Sometimes 9-10 hours per day. We had to graze a lot because we were always hungry. And we were spending a lot of time chewing. Raw stuff requires a lot of breaking down of cellulose and fibrous materials. If you’ve ever eaten a salad, you know what I mean! The chewing is endless. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/it-isnt-summer-without-tomatoes monthly 0.5 2022-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1658187558261-GY5MDKO8HGJZ8OOHPKYE/heirloom-tomatoes-1.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - It isn’t Summer without Tomatoes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1658187837563-ARYZDFV928CCO64QJ46R/oval-platter-with-handles.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - It isn’t Summer without Tomatoes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1658187545932-OJ5R7TPQMECMMAWYP0W2/basil-in-a-bowel-on-a-table.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - It isn’t Summer without Tomatoes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/bab5f770-51f7-496c-8185-5ff6d33b5a17/P1010528.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - It isn’t Summer without Tomatoes - Another delicious dish with tomatoes: Carmelized Onions with Balsamic Cherry Tomato Tarts from the Half Baked Harvest website. This was an absolutely delicious taste sensation. I made it for lunch recently and served it with a side salad. It’s easy to make. I didn’t even roll out the puff pastry. I just cut a sheet into 4 sections. That served 2 people more than adequately for lunch. You could make smaller versions and serve them as little mini tarts as appetizers. Puff Pastry can be purchased at your local grocery store. It’s usually found in the freezer section. It makes for a quick and easy way to create tarts, either sweet, or in this case, savory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1657930289289-XP0165IFV9U8HELISFSS/unsplash-image-3r2hsbt_DhA.jpg A Passion for Flavor - It isn’t Summer without Tomatoes - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/peaches-galore monthly 0.5 2022-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/cbc458cc-c0d0-46e8-a282-dbba0508a877/Shrimp+with+peaches.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Peaches Galore! - I made this for dinner tonight. I liked it but would add a little more spice to it next time. I also grilled a few baby bell peppers on a separate skewer, made a small green salad, and served the skewers over some brown rice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/0b1edf88-26ec-4551-a5bd-0b39c838de6b/20220707_123248.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Peaches Galore! - Our “August Pride” peaches have ripened early - in July - and now we are inundated with supply. They are super juicy and ready to be turned into something delicious (if we don’t just eat them as is). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/f2e2eac1-f281-4387-9968-3fb4183fbb19/P1010518+%281%29.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Peaches Galore! - Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a heavy 9-inch skillet with plenty of butter. Cream butter and sugar until light. Add egg. Sift dry ingredients together. Beat half into the creamed mixture, add half the milk. Repeat, beating well. Pour batter into prepared skillet. Arrange peach slices on top of the batter and bake for 25 minutes. Topping: 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg 4 Tbsp. sweet butter https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/breakfast-revisited monthly 0.5 2022-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1655837881754-WFNTNI3O0MR5PIMUR5WD/unsplash-image-wkvKZR4e2OI.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Breakfast, Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/b46518c1-c301-494a-9968-6b5e91c5a915/bkft+cereal.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Breakfast, Revisited - Make it stand out Yuk! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/187868bf-f5ae-458c-80fc-06d50b18e0a8/veg+egg+scramble.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Breakfast, Revisited - Christina's Scramble Ingredients: 1 onion, chopped A small handful of sliced cooked sausage (of any kind), chopped deli ham or some leftover chicken 1/2 tsp. Turmeric 1/2 tsp. Cumin Assorted veggies: zucchini, tomato, mushrooms, baby spinach leaves, diced red bell pepper......whatever you have 2 eggs, beaten with 1 Tbsp. of milk or half and half (or diced, medium firm cubes of tofu) Salt and pepper Grated cheese or crumbled feta for on top, some avocado Begin by sauteing the onion in a little olive oil or butter, unless you are making bacon. Then crisp up your bacon first, removing some of the drippings but leaving just a little in so your onion doesn't stick. Saute until onions are translucent. Add spices, stirring into the onion/meat mixture, and cook until fragrant. Add your veggies, saute 5-6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Pour your beaten eggs over the top, stirring while they cook. Season with salt and pepper. Top with some grated cheese and let melt, or finish under a broiler. Top with chopped avocado. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/6-reasons-to-grow-an-herb-garden monthly 0.5 2022-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/0b104b2d-3e15-4bd0-8273-ecb2a06fcd97/P1010434.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - 6 Reasons to grow an Herb Garden - Make it stand out My herb garden, currently. Sage, rosemary, chives, parsley and thyme. Since then I’ve added basil, to go with all the zucchini I’ll have soon! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1651894709429-HCS80O4Z78O3OBIDF1ZH/P1010435.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - 6 Reasons to grow an Herb Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1651894709356-549T2WYJG1BFOA64526K/P1010437.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - 6 Reasons to grow an Herb Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1651894710737-9CKUXFLDB9X21TA235CB/P1010439.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - 6 Reasons to grow an Herb Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1651894711274-9NL1MKTR9611NWTX6YGR/P1010440.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - 6 Reasons to grow an Herb Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1651894712164-NLXRGZARSLSW9JRZPQTM/P1010441.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - 6 Reasons to grow an Herb Garden https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/book-review-blue-zones monthly 0.5 2022-05-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/3e17d412-f007-4822-b71f-f883ecf92122/bluezone_1.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Book Review: “Blue Zones” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/5d0514d4-75c7-465d-8812-d009f8e30101/blue+zones+book.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Book Review: “Blue Zones” - I recently read “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest” by Dan Buettner. It’s not a recent release - it was actually published in March 2008. I had come across the title from time to time over the years, and decided to get a copy to find out what this was all about. Dan Buettner is a National Geographic Explorer who travelled the globe to uncover the life strategies of some of the longest lived peoples. He went to places known for high percentages of people enjoying long, full lives. Places like Sardinia, Costa Rica, Okinawa, and Loma Linda, California. In the book he shares his adventures of meeting centenarians (people over the age of 100) the world over. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/leftovers-are-worth-it monthly 0.5 2022-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/e458f665-4e1a-4eaf-bc8a-69aff581d0a4/leftovers+labelled.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Why leftovers are worth it - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/973710e6-6637-485e-a56a-98723706e9e3/leftovers.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Why leftovers are worth it - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/make-your-groceries-last-longer monthly 0.5 2022-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1649111643681-9KI2OKWCBOIY20HIY75H/unsplash-image-7fQ6UXXFgfM.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Make your groceries last longer - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/potato-leek-soup monthly 0.5 2022-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1646497820226-T231ZR02VQ1EEFMIZE4I/unsplash-image-G7YjoIpCpco.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Time for Leeks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1646497400955-OLLBGGFS4X25J99KS8LF/unsplash-image-NyI6X3oj7mg.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Time for Leeks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1646497523611-UUZHX43Z9H0405QTMFLJ/unsplash-image-18YZ7zuQG4Q.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Time for Leeks - Make it stand out May I present: Potato Leek Soup. Make it and let it soothe your soul! https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/lemony-pistachio-pesto-amp-pasta-salad monthly 0.5 2022-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/ffa5da8b-85e8-4ff3-a825-86d708997180/P1010240.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Lemony Pistachio Pesto & Pasta Salad Cook the pasta according to package directions. Do not overcook! Drain into a colander and rinse with cold water. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the rest of the salad: add arugula to a bowl, then the mozzarella. Empty the colander of drained warm pasta onto it, add the pesto, and toss until everything is coated. Serve on a platter and top with extra lemon zest and another drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. This would be excellent with a small green salad and a glass of Pinot Grigio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/b4558356-cb1a-4a7c-8434-4caa3a5e1841/pesto.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Lemony Pistachio Pesto & Pasta Salad - Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups basil leaves 1/2 cup unsalted pistachios (shells removed) Zest of 1 lemon 2-3 Tbsp. lemon juice 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp. sea salt 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan 1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/c71fbfdc-38f9-4b79-aa8b-2d49732518cc/pistachio+lemons.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Lemony Pistachio Pesto & Pasta Salad - Lemons and Pistachios Lemons and Pistachios come together with basil and garlic to form a bright, green, nutty pesto served over pasta and arugula. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/copycat-lettuce-wraps monthly 0.5 2022-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/2d84da71-dc1c-420d-a5ad-9873bb400a36/pf-changs-chicken-lettuce-wraps-cop.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Copycat Lettuce Wraps - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/orange-pound-cake monthly 0.5 2022-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/ca211691-b30d-4bcb-b17d-831ce21d8ff8/Orange-zest2.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Orange Pound Cake - Make it stand out Create orange zest using a fine grater. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/c659b750-1c9c-4f08-9826-cbc37c88febb/Orange-Cake-Recipe.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Orange Pound Cake - Make it stand out Instead of the sugar/juice syrup, you can just dust your cake (once completely cooled), with powdered sugar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/6497c4e3-eb51-4cb1-8a26-f1ed5f50d258/cake+mixing.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Orange Pound Cake - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/0fac83b1-5155-4850-9854-8f93423f6640/orange-cake-310-3.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Orange Pound Cake I love anything lemon. But oranges are a refreshing alternative. This pound cake is easy to make. It’s just a straight-forward cake batter of wet and dry ingredients blended together, poured into a loaf pan and baked. The most time-consuming part is grating the zest. The cake makes for a light ending to a meal, or a lovely afternoon snack with a cup of Earl Grey. If you want to make this a Lemon Pound Cake, all the same ingredients would apply, just substitute lemon juice and lemon zest for the orange. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/warm-sweet-potato-salad monthly 0.5 2022-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/be4c40ef-2b40-478a-9fe4-4bc29c66b0ea/P1010229+%281%29.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Warm Sweet Potato Salad Since most of us will be coming across sweet potatoes either disguised as yams or labeled correctly, let’s direct our attention to the various properties of the different sweet potato varieties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1644962955911-BPQUZCDHWS7KY05Q37E2/P1010228+%281%29.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Warm Sweet Potato Salad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1644962970611-54CO1K7E1HAO10PVTH8T/P1010231+%281%29.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Warm Sweet Potato Salad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1644963065524-E5MA7V0QC1B7RUBAVUYU/P1010232+%281%29.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Warm Sweet Potato Salad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1644963073823-HWFL2N9R8ODKNGMXRZJU/P1010233+%281%29.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Warm Sweet Potato Salad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/91ab8391-9d21-4fcf-adff-9d76021a9571/P1010234+%282%29.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Warm Sweet Potato Salad - Over the weekend, I put together a sweet potato “salad” which included a little bit of bacon, some bell peppers and spinach. The crunch of some green onions on top and the addition of some chopped fresh cilantro took it over the top. I loved it. Hope you do, too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1644622807964-71V8I81HLMM3392FUAER/unsplash-image-geYw6L4-WU8.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Warm Sweet Potato Salad - Make it stand out Sweet potatoes are easy to prepare, versatile and tremendously good for you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/90331bf1-6f95-41f7-a144-50743ea84213/P1010227+%281%29.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Warm Sweet Potato Salad - Make it stand out I have a high powered burner outside next to the BBQ and when I don’t feel like having the smell of bacon in the house, I’ll cook it there. Here I have my tongs and plate with paper towel to drain the bacon, my favorite Himalayan pink sea salt, my bacon cut into little chunks, my bell peppers and sweet potatoes cubed, and my minced garlic. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/goat-cheese-tart-with-leeks monthly 0.5 2022-02-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1644252074734-UMSLMSEL6G3TANQ33FUF/P1010198.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Goat Cheese Tart with Leeks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1644252082686-D5F1O7MTIYHRVSAUTFVZ/P1010199.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Goat Cheese Tart with Leeks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/b0a59478-233c-4b03-aea9-fc163cfa371f/P1010199.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Goat Cheese Tart with Leeks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1644251587992-V5HHDYOV1N8U0XQR6SHE/P1010193.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Goat Cheese Tart with Leeks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1644251604110-YMUYKLBH911MX7NHL3AE/P1010194.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Goat Cheese Tart with Leeks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1644251630528-QT6DVQFN5YJ7EHE91SNW/P1010195.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Goat Cheese Tart with Leeks https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/pulled-pork monthly 0.5 2022-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1643741326413-2L3860GGHSNXBFP8NQG3/P1010186.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Easy Roasted Pulled Pork https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1643741347758-D0FASGMB2UINWDCDW5I4/P1010187.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Easy Roasted Pulled Pork https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1643741377408-YZ7V2YOAEFOU3Q2LXQNK/P1010189.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Easy Roasted Pulled Pork https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/4a73bf43-edc5-450a-8c85-0abc3efc56e8/pulled+porl.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Easy Roasted Pulled Pork - When colder weather hits, it’s only natural for us to want to make dishes that are warm, hearty and satisfying. Soups, stews, braised meats and vegetables are all good this time of year. The kind of food that “sticks to your ribs”, as my mother would say. One of my favorite things is pulled pork. It’s a rich and satisfying dinner on a cold evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/48c4561c-a7dd-4ac1-82ab-a697d3e5e9a6/P1010190.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Easy Roasted Pulled Pork - Make it stand out The dark bits are the caramelization that adds so much flavor at the end of the cooking process. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/ways-with-citrus monthly 0.5 2022-01-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/07ae1596-a133-4a2a-a4c0-4aade3f25bc7/California+Orange+Label.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Oranges and Citrus Season - Make it stand out I’m a big fan of these vintage fruit crate labels from the “old days”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/802b0bee-02a5-4782-a831-2f7adfb83aa7/orange-blossom.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Oranges and Citrus Season - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/why-you-need-a-thermometer monthly 0.5 2022-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1642186485690-I1VH42RDCTWCXY0YEEJ9/unsplash-image-RHxuU8lEKvo.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Why you need a Thermometer - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1642781514814-HA8QQ07E004Y5YDKPKWN/thermometer.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Why you need a Thermometer - Make it stand out I have this one from Alpha Grillers. It’s very affordable at under $20. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/udon-noodle-salad monthly 0.5 2022-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/22aca50a-8274-4ba3-a298-d51cda87edc9/P1010134.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Udon Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing - Make it stand out Salad with half a grilled chicken breast on top. Yum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/677557f8-6115-405c-902a-7970ba41af43/udon+noodles+plain.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Udon Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/flammkuchen monthly 0.5 2021-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1638755548685-AECF934PDQAR1G0E7WJ9/20211205_132428.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Flammkuchen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1638755548165-PRW8JKKRY8DOIMSXUFUL/20211205_132505.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Flammkuchen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/391e5cbd-e426-4f4b-9951-bf7cf18a53bc/P1000975.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Flammkuchen - Make it stand out Here’s my version with Creme Fraiche, Applewood Smoked Bacon and Sauteed Red Onions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1635287174108-23RXQC68SP6OX42T47X8/P1000499.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Flammkuchen - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/communal-baking monthly 0.5 2021-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1635692293345-LHGXQ6C0JHKC1Q3O34J5/community+oven+turkey.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Communal Baking - Ovens as we know them today have been dated to 29,000 BC. Indian tandoor ovens have been used for generations throughout the Middle East and Asia. A cylindrical oven, the fire sits in the bottom so the heat rises upward. Breads are slapped on to the oven’s side while spicy marinated meat is placed on metal racks in its center. The ovens of the ancient Greeks were the first front-loaded ovens and it was the Greeks who developed baking into a profession. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1635443175124-992BNNUGKWL32W1MPFQN/834B4BFD-B5CC-4826-93FC-23B4B409CDFB_1_105_c.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Communal Baking - Make it stand out Backhaus, Freinsheim. The oven sits under a roof and the garden has apple and fig trees and patio tables. Super cute! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1635692832966-66VDI18T0W33UFBV6HLI/Fijian-earth-oven-called-a-lovo.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Communal Baking - Humans have been using fire to cook food for a long time. Estimates say perhaps as long as 1.5 million years ago. The very first “ovens” were actually fire pits in which food was cooked in the flames, an early method still used in parts of Asia today, and usually protected by banana leaves. Fire pits are still used for cooking in Hawaii, New Zealand and Africa, although usually for tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1635698540662-7TSDY658P3S8AJIC421Q/IMG_2962.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Communal Baking - Verena Rappaport is this baker. Here I am, meeting her on my trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1635693048531-EBIUKLA19R3JY6PV900R/comunity+oven+swiss.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Communal Baking - In medieval Europe, the communal bread oven was pivotal to village life for many centuries. Often they were a focal point for the community, with a central location. Once the baker had made the daily village bread, the women of the village would bring their evening meals to bake in the residual heat, no doubt catching up on the daily news and gossip while dinner was cooking. Conservation work is going on at old, crumbling bakehouses in Germany, Belgium, France and elsewhere. They may be restored to full functioning with baking days and bakery sales, or preserved by conversion into holiday cottages or other private buildings. Or, they may be created because someone in the community found a need and decided to fill it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1635698169005-VUN0EZU1ITCTERG0ESTS/verena+.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Communal Baking https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1635698219531-69S7WLFRQ3K0IJYORYC8/verenas+breads.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Communal Baking https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1635698234056-JMZ69NNN9Y6BWD21BYS4/verena+class.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Communal Baking https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1635443276396-N969Z93U12JSB446U6T8/937ACF64-5586-461B-BCF7-E57F0703C180_1_105_c.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Communal Baking - Anything that doesn’t get picked up, or any extras she might have baked, she sells to the public. On the right is her little shop in the heart of their village, just a short walk from the Backhaus. Customers are picking up their orders for the weekend. Sadly, there were no extras for me to buy that day. “Friday is Bake Day” https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/cucumber-dill-salad monthly 0.5 2021-10-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1630341307066-ZVB5NTKAMEXSH1JZT2IY/unsplash-image-aZzYKVLVki8.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Cucumber Dill Salad - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1634853695200-SUVTMYVH7LDWW2Z9ZEV5/food+slicer.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Cucumber Dill Salad - Getting the slices wafer thin is the key to making this a delicate salad, rather than a chunky one, so if you have a mandoline or food slicer (pictured left), that is ideal. If not, as long as you have a super sharp knife, you can create thin slices yourself. Dress this with either oil and vinegar, or go creamy with either Greek yogurt or sour cream plus a little vinegar, or lemon juice, if you prefer. Even if you go the creamy route, a little acid really helps perk it up. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/curried-chicken-salad monthly 0.5 2021-10-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1629738237078-JD0LO9DACY1X4P6ONW8V/curried-chicken-salad_05-03-13_3_ca.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Curried Chicken Salad - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1629738269383-66JO1TTJGWEZAKLUVTLO/VegenaiseFamilyShot.png A Passion for Flavor - Curried Chicken Salad - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/ratatouille monthly 0.5 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1630355032386-JZJDAX7BAMZ4NWO1SI82/anton+ego.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Ratatouille - Make it stand out Anton Ego, Food Critic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1630429250962-ZOIUKZZHXQ6OBP03PIZW/ratatouille+fancy.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Ratatouille - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1630429020354-ZBEBAV6SMJKLP6HQVGSU/ratatouille.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Ratatouille - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1630354863553-B69ZRPMHMKHJ3P5AOPGJ/remy.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Ratatouille - Make it stand out Remy, Chef de Cuisine, from the movie Ratatouille https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/mexican-street-corn-salad monthly 0.5 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1629737521662-IUOOZ7XQ172RN127QPIF/corn+roasted+TJs.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Mexican Street Corn Salad - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1629737633741-M1QVM4VYGVCIANFT5HB2/corn+salad+mex.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Mexican Street Corn Salad - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1629737588512-GKNROEXFMY8MJTRP9YOA/corn+roasted.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Mexican Street Corn Salad - I’ve never been a really big fan of corn, but every now and again I am reminded of how good some corn on the cob can be, slathered in butter with a sprinkling of salt. Sometimes I make a seasoning mix of garlic powder, salt, chipotle pepper and chili powder that I’d sprinkle on to my corn cob after applying some butter (to help make it stick) before diving in. So yummy! Highly recommend that. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/knives monthly 0.5 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1628806355368-COHWE664WMCIEYB0EF0S/unsplash-image-z9AormQ0e90.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Knives - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1629495669684-ERLAQKJ9K39L5Z4OSKX8/P1000101.JPG A Passion for Flavor - Knives - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/when-life-hands-you-tomatoes monthly 0.5 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1627333829177-OI941LYAEXDW20BNM78D/lemon-boy-tomato-yellow-tomato-garden-design_11591.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - When Life hands you Tomatoes… - Make it stand out Lemon Boys https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1627333235216-D4WXTM5MHLAGFN1PZTKO/momotaro.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - When Life hands you Tomatoes… - Japanese Momotaro tomatoes, similar to Beefsteak https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1626998400679-3C3XX1IYSHNZNX7PYQVM/unsplash-image-s-hw64ghWEA.jpg A Passion for Flavor - When Life hands you Tomatoes… - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1627333283779-0V0O4PTVGAN3SL2VY4QO/robeson+tomatoes.jpg A Passion for Flavor - When Life hands you Tomatoes… - Make it stand out Paul Robeson tomatoes https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/bacon-wrapped-asparagus monthly 0.5 2021-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1627839472817-AOTEYEQ0OZXES5TQ11SA/Grilled-Bacon-Wrapped-Asparagus-3-2-1024x683.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Bacon-wrapped Asparagus - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1627839534392-RZHI6X18ISU1E6W7VBO0/bengal+bbq.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Bacon-wrapped Asparagus The line for the Jungle Cruise was, not surprisingly, a mile long. Since we were a bit hungry, we decided to eat first, before entering the queue. I turned around and there it was: the Bengal Barbeque - a casual counter type of eating place. On the menu (and according to this link it’s still there): bacon-wrapped asparagus. Intrigued, we ordered it. It was incredible, and you can’t say that about much of the food at Disneyland (another side note: this reminds me of another visit to the Park when we contracted food poisoning and threw up all night long – good times). Sorry, I digress again. This was an interesting combination of vegetable and bacon. It made such an impact on me, that it was offered at nearly every occasion when friends or family came over. It’s super easy and fairly fast to assemble. All you need are: wooden skewers, bacon, and asparagus. That’s it. Not even seasoning (the bacon is salty enough). It can’t get any simpler. Here’s how to make them at home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1628054510031-SCPT1YHIOVYPP907Y78X/unsplash-image-BLYq8Qk8Q98.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Bacon-wrapped Asparagus It was during a trip to the Magic Kingdom about 15 or so years ago that I discovered bacon-wrapped asparagus. We were in Adventureland and wanted to board the Jungle Cruise (side note: ever since I was little, I have always started the park on the left and I go around it clockwise. The first “land” is Adventureland and it’s always been my favorite. It's tradition to go to the Tiki Room first and listen to the birds sing (I'm sorry - this is just the way it has to be!). Anyway, I digress. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/green-bean-amp-potato-salad monthly 0.5 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1623691607014-Z6G73ZFQW3HVQQ25BK9Y/unsplash-image-H5k8PoC1BBc.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Green Bean & Potato Salad - Make it stand out Choose green beans that are crisp and snappy, and feel fat! https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/flavor-profile-pepper monthly 0.5 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1622475680523-2BYBI05BXCVYEVY1PF2C/unsplash-image-cpR6YlmSuT8.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Flavor Profile: Pepper - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/butter monthly 0.5 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1619028124917-D251VH0IRLQK8F54RZ4V/unsplash-image-094mP_CBdpM.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Not all Butter is created Equal https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/quiche monthly 0.5 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1619386623209-VYG7UA7R159NCIWZOGEA/Spinach-Quiche-Recipe-4.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Quiche Lorraine - Comfort food. Everyone has their favorite. That meal that takes you back to your childhood, that eases away the tensions of the day, that soothes the soul. What comes to mind for you? Meatloaf and mashed potatoes, perhaps? A hearty stew? Fried chicken? Mac n'cheese? For me, it’s something eggy and cheesy, and so, quiche fits the bill - a rich and creamy concoction of milk, cheese and eggs and whatever vegetable happens to be around. It’s super versatile, quiche. You can easily substitute any vegetable you have that needs to be eaten up. I usually always have some spinach around, and love that with some cheese and bacon. In this case, I actually had some prosciutto that needed to be eaten, so I used that instead. Making the crust yourself is easy and totally worth it. This recipe for creating your own flaky, buttery crust is perfect for any sort of savory pie. Take the trouble, if you can even call it that, and make your own crust. Delicious when hot out of the oven! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1619052918473-DP5KPHMM4WV2BLV2P8WC/220px-German_Empire_-_Alsace_Lorraine_%281871%29.svg.png A Passion for Flavor - Quiche Lorraine Lothringen, or Lorraine, lies at the German/ French border. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/blueberry-cake monthly 0.5 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1617988234802-JSJRXZK46EUPUWJHKY9W/unsplash-image-eXmUHL6pw7Y.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Blueberry Cake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1618351240641-AV1NQMSTJJA1YQFV3K90/springform.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Blueberry Cake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1618351257972-3WMAMPCJIWBJ3817C0YE/cake+pan+remov+rim.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Blueberry Cake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1618351271773-EWJNF3BYXV0OK7M33D1F/cake+pan+w+remov+bottom.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Blueberry Cake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1618351425887-RDJ34PTFHPSGFSWNHRA6/cc+blueberry+cake.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Blueberry Cake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1617988795937-DCZSGOJVADW5QQ4H26WB/unsplash-image-Ka5lff1kWYg.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Blueberry Cake - Actually, any juicy berry will do… …except strawberries. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/flavor-profile-salt monthly 0.5 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1617829187418-TQAKDOUBPALXGV90VEN1/grades+cooking-salts.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Flavor Profile: Salt Salts also come in various grains, from superfine to rock salt. I like superfine to add to baked goods, medium fine for nearly everything, somewhat course for sprinkling on top of things like focaccia where I want to bite into a little salt crystal, flakes for drawing out liquid, to courser types meant to be put into a salt grinder on the table, like you would for black pepper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1617828606014-GVVD0I91TPOXUD10OJNR/Himalayan+pink.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Flavor Profile: Salt - Himalayan Sea Salt Considered the purest salt available on the planet with a history dating back to Earth’s creation. It’s a beautiful translucent pink and contains all of the elements found in your body. This is the salt I use primarily because many experts in the field of health consider this the best salt nutritionally. I love the color, the texture and the taste. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1616710898329-2M57961M2CCITQIXD6P8/unsplash-image-sSLI7KXPwzU.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Flavor Profile: Salt - Since this blog is all about flavor, I wanted to do a series of profiles on specific ingredients that can be added to food to maximize flavor. The obvious first choice is the most ubiquitous: salt. A key ingredient to all savory dishes, and even to some that are sweet, it cannot be denied that salt is the most important addition to the food we prepare. Salt has been an integral part of human history. Its ability to preserve food was a valuable aid in the foundation of civilization. It eliminated the dependence on the seasonal availability of food and it allowed travel over long distances. Salt was difficult to obtain, so it was a highly valued trade item. Cities grew along "salt roads" all over Europe - one such road was even called the Via Salaria (which means salt) in Italy - some of which had been established in the Bronze Age. There are 2 main sources: rock salt and sea salt. Rock salt occurs in vast beds of sedimentary evaporite minerals that result from the drying up of enclosed lakes and seas. Sea salt is of course obtained by the evaporation of sea water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1617828084663-QWWA7MM6A4IT3FZBNBHV/laguna-salt-co-smoked-applewood_2000x.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Flavor Profile: Salt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1617827390867-WC1C76JBG29FO31BOX5R/Herbamare.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Flavor Profile: Salt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1617827947553-SKC527D7CU9SMSO2A0IR/celtic+salt.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Flavor Profile: Salt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1617828345666-5HA29DFJYB5X1DHBGQ0Y/badreichenhaller_artikelbild_4sorten-4zu3-576x432.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Flavor Profile: Salt https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/food-amp-wine monthly 0.5 2021-09-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1616535638114-T0E1IQII1V1L3NWJFNSU/unsplash-image-Lf1uw3_csYo.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Pairing Food & Wine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1616539697726-RDVT0FU4Z276EJ75CANW/unsplash-image-QTgOjDCiJEo.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Pairing Food & Wine https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/eat-your-carrots monthly 0.5 2021-09-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1615175885437-P1RMG84MCKR4YFQR1I6M/unsplash-image-4hlTJRtbX4k.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Eat Your Carrots! - Though I'm not a big fan of cake, I sometimes get a longing for carrot cake. I find it great comfort food; delicious with finely grated carrot and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and a little crunch added by tossing in some walnut pieces. I think these flavors work really well together. I've tried a number of carrot cakes in my time and I must say that most of them are usually heavily laden with sickeningly-sweet, goopy frosting, or lack the right amount of spice, or are boring. I like the right amount of carrots for moistness, a little more spice than most recipes call for, and a less obtrusive frosting. Here's my favorite time-tested recipe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1615175753431-ISCIBJXNRCM1FWZ29S8Q/unsplash-image-oYcGhuesCeU.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Eat Your Carrots! https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/a-well-stocked-kitchen monthly 0.5 2021-09-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1615586961074-K13DIMCJNXDXK3O5ZXKD/unsplash-image-BYm1kkFasEI.jpg A Passion for Flavor - A well-stocked Kitchen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1615587032023-S2QJC0UC3V1NMOBDD6Q0/unsplash-image-SoAUwU_wuuA.jpg A Passion for Flavor - A well-stocked Kitchen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1615587083937-V5NRDHGDDIRHV2G1L6LK/unsplash-image-CkInCM8e1ig.jpg A Passion for Flavor - A well-stocked Kitchen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1615587369082-GVG1D8WREHFQ962NR7YN/unsplash-image-4KDkaSSSTKg.jpg A Passion for Flavor - A well-stocked Kitchen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1615587515625-PRAOPJTL2OTTT9EA34L9/unsplash-image-NPrWYa69Mz0.jpg A Passion for Flavor - A well-stocked Kitchen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1615587629933-NR9OBBPFQT9ZE4GO99V1/unsplash-image-oD7H_J-vJm4.jpg A Passion for Flavor - A well-stocked Kitchen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1615586090732-FOSU66ESXIRZ8LJBYMCQ/unsplash-image-GliaHAJ3_5A.jpg A Passion for Flavor - A well-stocked Kitchen https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/soup-is-good-food monthly 0.5 2021-09-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1614379606874-H4HQDH18CZ3FHTQU7GVH/image-asset.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Soup is good food - Kartoffelsuppe (Potato Soup) Serve with a mixed green salad and some warm, crusty bread, or alongside some sausages. Or you can cut the sausages into slices and put them in the soup at the end just to warm them up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1614369553234-AGD2OL6NNLBGKB90JVE7/image-asset.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Soup is good food https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/luscious-pears monthly 0.5 2021-09-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1614368443026-XOR2GG8HJ3A1ANIT041E/image-asset.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Luscious Pears - Pears are such beautifully elegant fruits. The way they hang from the tree, so voluptuously, tempting so seductively. I mean, look at that shape! (Reminds me a little of myself). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1614377513243-8H3H8I1NOCK18DMOHJ5T/image-asset.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Luscious Pears - I also like unfussy desserts that are not too sweet and pears, with their natural fruit sugar, are great just simply poached. Sometimes you'll see recipes for poached pears served sitting atop a sauce called Creme Anglaise. It's an incredible sauce but takes a bit more time to prepare. The following recipe is just for the pears. Simple. Unfussy. You can serve them with some vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream if you wish. https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/why-get-cast-iron-cookware monthly 0.5 2021-09-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1614117274632-A3KE3TJOGYWEIU1YH4BB/stargazer+logo.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Should you get Cast Iron cookware? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1614117285058-LLSER3NQVZJ8Q9MJGG48/stargazer+pan+rustic.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Should you get Cast Iron cookware? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1614118066319-UNO6V5SU5UQY7MRSIVWJ/stargazer+10+inch.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Should you get Cast Iron cookware? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1614116667530-QBP8QQBA1NKZBBKA67SC/steak+in+cast+iron.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Should you get Cast Iron cookware? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1614034366535-8CHB78KSEYXYNA4SGHDF/image-asset.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Should you get Cast Iron cookware? People have been cooking in cast iron for a long time https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1614118244653-IAX8DMXEQ8M9TVUF8DU2/le+creuset.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Should you get Cast Iron cookware? Le Creuset, made in France https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/when-life-hands-you-lemons monthly 0.5 2021-09-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1611598953761-8SR4W113LW8PXXZY4JQI/Wilhelms.jpg A Passion for Flavor - When Life hands you lemons… At the Wilhelm’s in Oceanside, California. They are on either end and the couple to her right are my paternal grandparents, visiting from Germany. Yes, that’s me in the blue dress, next to my chic mama. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1613443323274-D9XS7I5OKPLPTDNPCRCH/image-asset.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - When Life hands you lemons… Make all kinds of things! https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/the-slow-cooker2 monthly 0.5 2021-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1611597032462-KS9LI55Q6Y1H88OS3HMV/slow+cooker.jpg A Passion for Flavor - The Slow Cooker https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/why-composition-is-important monthly 0.5 2021-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1611451928919-IPECY0M7SFY75X8K5T2P/diff+colors+on+a+plate.jpg A Passion for Flavor - Why Composition is important A nice array of colors and textures https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1613933315696-KEF39GAKX2JFWQWU1IR9/image-asset.jpeg A Passion for Flavor - Why Composition is important https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/category/Cast+Iron monthly 0.5 https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/category/Steak monthly 0.5 https://www.apassionforflavor.com/blog/category/Salad monthly 0.5 https://www.apassionforflavor.com/about daily 0.75 2021-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1613443856258-15XU414UW7VUNUX72RQU/image-asset.jpeg About - A food blog is born. I’m Christina Casad and I decided to begin this blog because I love two things: cooking and writing. Both my mother and my grandmothers cooked religiously, so it’s in my blood. I remember being in the kitchen often with my mother as a young girl, watching, helping, doing a great job licking the whisk and the bowls clean! I have no memory of her ever making anything from a box - nearly everything was made from scratch. And she was always looking to learn. We watched cooking shows together like Julia Child and the Galloping Gourmet, and years later I would watch them again on my own. They provided endless inspiration for things to make, and cooking looked fun! Very few people cook from scratch anymore. It’s just too easy to cook from a box. But in this era of Covid, many people have returned to the kitchen and are exploring homemade dishes. Things like sourdough bread have taken off, as has baking in general, and this is great. I hope people are feeling that sense of accomplishment that comes from creating something from start to finish. Cooking from scratch with real, fresh, whole foods, alive with flavor and full of life-giving nutrition, that’s what this blog is all about. A Passion for Flavor is about inspiring you to do more cooking at home if you aren’t already. If you value your health, you will be in complete control over the ingredients you use, leaving out or adding things as you see fit and as your dietary needs require. If you are on a budget, I assure you that cooking at home will save you money. If you love being creative, you’ll find a wonderful outlet for that in the kitchen. My goal here is to provide not only recipes, but to also share personal stories about the role that food and cooking have had in my life, as well as provide some historical perspectives and facts about various cuisines and ingredients around the world. I’ll share different cooking methods and tools you might want to consider getting to make the job easier. I also created some videos on YouTube under the name “Healthy Home Cooking”. You can get to those by clicking on the YouTube logo above. You can also find me on my Facebook page by clicking on the f above. Thanks for reading! https://www.apassionforflavor.com/contact-3 daily 0.75 2021-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000c250f45ae1489320607f/1612303430533-XS4K9AHUCKWW3SN5VZJU/20200612_162344.jpg Contact - Contact me! If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you! Email me at apassionforflavor@gmail.com or connect with me on Facebook