Solera Sazerac: A Classic, Reborn

Yesterday, at sunset, overlooking the mountains, I had this Solera Sazerac: a Ron de Venezuela full body cocktail, elegant and complex. This was my way to say good bye to a relaxing, 4-day family weekend...

Savory Sun Dried Tomatoes, Roasted Almonds and Fresh Basil Pesto

Today I spent part of the day with Andrés Ignacio and Tomás Eugenio decorating our Christmas tree. We were playing Christmas music and, after the Thanksgiving marathon, all I wanted was a savory bowl of pasta.

1, 2, 3 Herb Infused Turkey Gravy

Turkey with no gravy is like a potato with no salt. Because the leit motiv of my Herb Roasted Turkey is precisely herbs, the gravy is herb infused too.

Juicy Herb Roasted Turkey and Happy Thanksgiving!

Finally, here is the bird. I shouldn’t say finally because the gravy is still to come. What I mean is here is my turkey, seasoned with my herbs and garlic butter and stuffed with my rice, cranberries, apples, bacon and herbs stuffing.

Decadent, luscious Pumpkin Pie with Kumquat Marmalade

Besides being a mom and a food blogger, I do have a job. Serious. Intense. With lots of thinking, writing and numbers and big people’s stuff involved.

Wild and Basmati Rice Turkey Stuffing with Cranberries, Apples, Bacon and Herbs

This is the improved version of the first turkey stuffing I made four years ago, the third day after I landed in Southern California, knowing nobody and being unfamiliar not only with my new kitchen but also with a typical Thanksgiving menu.

Rum Infused Pecan Pie

I have an affair with pecan pie. It started a couple of years ago. It was during my first “by myself” travel to New York City. I was 20 years old and spent the most amazing week with my sister Andreína, who at that time was 16 years old. We went to Macy’s, got hungry and stopped at the cafeteria. There was a pecan pie there. I had it. It was love at first bite.

Super Creamy Garlic Infused Mashed Potatoes

Three weeks ago my Dad and Gioyita, his wife, came to spend a couple of days with us. The day before they left, I decided that for dinner we should have and American meal, meaning, of course, meat and potatoes.

1, 2, 3 Worry Free Pie Dough!

I’m a big fan of pies, but I wasn't so happy with my pie dough.

1, 2, 3 Savory Herb and Garlic Butter

Herb and garlic butter is the easiest way to enhance bread, vegetables, soups, pasta, fish, meat and poultry.

This butter can be made with any combination of finely chopped fresh herbs, or just using your favorite herb and garlic.

Besides , you can shape it like a log, cover with parchment paper or plastic wrap and save it in the refrigerator for a week or freeze it for months.

While cold, you slice it et voilà: a circle of flavor that will jazz any hot food.

As a spread on a toast, it is unbeatable. You can also rub your chicken or turkey before baking it (like I’m going to do with our Thanksgiving bird) and trust me, you’ll love it!

Why is this so good? There is no mystery:  it has butter, fresh herbs and garlic!

Herbs and Garlic Butter | Ingredients for 1 cup
1 cup of butter at room temperature
½ cup of finely chopped leaves of parsley, thyme, rosemary and sage
4 garlic cloves minced

Place the butter in a small bowl with the herbs and garlic. Mix together with a fork until all ingredients are well-combined. To refrigerate or freeze, place the butter on parchment paper or plastic wrap, wrap it and shape it into a log.

To print the recipe click here.

Sweet, Sweet Potatoes (Mashed and Topped with Pecan Streusel)

This is how some people like sweet potatoes: sweet over sweet.

Canning Potage Saint Germain

This week, while having a delicious bowl of tomato soup —that I canned during my tomato frenzy last summer—  I decided that, with this weather, I'm going to have soup everyday at lunch time.

The Fragrance of the Guava and other Southern California Treasures

This week, Fidelia, my “fairy godmother” brought me guavas from her patio, three blocks from my house. I didn’t know we can grow guavas in the high desert.

Heavenly Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Garlic, Pecans and Baby Arugula

I could perfectly say this recipe is my Mom’s because she loves to roast whatever can be roasted on this Earth: potatoes, pumpkins, squash, turnips and of course sweet potatoes. She also loves all kinds of nuts and she’s a master combining textures and colors…

Pizza Margherita for Andrés Ignacio

My son Andrés Ignacio is turning 10 next week. I could write a book about the joy he brought (and brings) to my life and a complete encyclopedia about how challenging it is to be his mom. But since this is a cooking blog, I’m only going to say he’s better than all I dreamed when I was pregnant.