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[masalacha]

Saying Goodbye to # 303

In the quiet solace of #303, among the whispered narratives and half-packed dreams, I pause. These walls, this space, a cradle of my daily life, full of special vibrations, soon to be a memory wrapped in the soft glow of hindsight. How true, they say, the looming loss sharpens appreciation, a loud call to love’s final showing. I will miss so many things. My precious sofa The scent of chocolate…

[masalacha]

Tamago (Egg) Croissant Sandwich - Japanese Style

In a culinary landscape where the art of breakfast is often lost in the morning rush, the Tamago (Egg) Croissant Sandwich offers a moment of comfort. This simple pleasure is an homage to the power of starting one’s day with purpose. The croissant, with its flaky layers and golden hue, forms the foundation of this dish. Inside, the rich, chopped, hard-boiled eggs, married with creamy mayonnaise,…

[masalacha]

Picadillo - Cuban Style 🇨🇺

There is a dish that captures the essence of the Cuban spirit and tickles my taste buds —picadillo. This humble yet flavorful concoction, with its blend of sweet and savory, is like a carnival of flavors on the tongue. It’s a staple that brings families together, a comfort food that speaks of home, love, and tradition. Ingredients Lean Ground Beef (1 lb): The star of the dish. Lean beef…

[masalacha]

Brunching with Miss Y.

I had the joy of brunching with my dear friend, Miss Y., at True Food Kitchen. The moment we stepped in, the warmth and vibrancy of the place wrapped around us, a perfect setting for what was to become a memorable mini feast. Our culinary journey began with the Jasmine Pearl Green Tea, a symphony of delicate flavors that revitalized and soothed our senses. Each sip was a gentle caress of floral…

[masalacha]

Mango Chicken Curry Masala

My daughter and her boyfriend have caught masala fever – they cannot stop going to Indian restaurants to try different dishes. Their latest obsession is Mango Chicken Curry. I had seen that dish on the menu before but never tried it because I thought it would be overly sweet. It is indeed sweet, but it is a sweetness that makes the soul and belly happy and deeply satisfied. This curry recipe…

[masalacha]

Do I Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Why?

Indeed, I use Artificial Intelligence in my creative processes, especially when crafting content for my food-related blog. The decision to incorporate AI tools stems from a desire to enhance the richness and depth of my culinary stories. AI assists me in various facets of content creation, from generating initial ideas to refining the grammar and style of my posts, ensuring they resonate with my…

[masalacha]

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today, I’m embarking on a journey to create the most comforting of treats: chocolate chip cookies. They bake for a little bit until they’re just right. Sometimes, for fun, I use M&Ms instead of chocolate chips. Simple as that, and you’ve got some seriously tasty cookies. This recipe is by Dzung Lewis, AKA Honeysuckle, and it is an absolute winner. Ingredients● 1 stick unsalted butter (8 tbsp)●…

[masalacha]

Crème Caramel (Flan)

There’s a certain magic in the simplicity of making flan—how sugar warms into amber, how vanilla whispers through the air, and milk, either coconut or evaporated, pours like a promise into the bowl. With each stir of the spoon, the eggs and yolks surrender to the sweet liquid, and I am reminded of the small wonders that come from such ordinary things. In the quiet of the kitchen, as it bakes in…

[masalacha]

Favorite Trinidadian Cooking Terms

I have always been fascinated by some cooking terms used by my Trinidadian neighbors (Trinis). Many of these words come from India and are used and applied in daily local cuisine. Here are the 3 terms that are most endearing to me. Bonjay, Bunjay, Bounjay (pronounced boon-jay)  Bonjay is the method of slow-cooking meat until it yields its inherent juices, creating its own savory broth. As the…

[masalacha]

What Is an Umami-Filled Life?

In my kitchen, where flavors come alive, umami is the savory hug that envelopes the soul of a plate of food. Imagine standing in the middle of a symphony of ingredients, Parmesan cheese resting on the counter, its aged profile promising to infuse dishes with a grounded richness. Nearby, ripe tomatoes bursting with flavor and waiting to be cut open offer a sweet and complex foundation. Anchovies,…

[masalacha]

Life + Questions

In my more than humble opinion, life has no particular purpose – you are just supposed to be born, live, and die. Get up every morning, put one foot in front of the other, and move forward. Humans take themselves and life too seriously. We think we are all that – intelligent and sapient. We are just pieces of meat who can talk and walk upright. So just count your blessings, be grateful, be kind,…

[masalacha]

My Last Meal

I got the idea to write this from Chef Josh Scherer, who has a YouTube channel called Mythical Kitchen. He thinks about death all the time, as do I. After all, we can go at any moment, and we are closer to our expiration date each day that passes. We are nothing more than walking and talking pieces of meat, rotting daily, creeping or running towards our final destination. This list is…

[masalacha]

Two Humble Vegetables in Love - Potato, Onion, and Parmesan Bake

I thought of writing this story when I discovered that onions and potatoes should not be stored together – they can negatively impact each other’s shelf life and quality. Storing onions and potatoes together is not ideal because they release gases and moisture that can cause each other to spoil more quickly. So why not imagine a tale of a couple, an onion and a potato in love, doomed from the…

[masalacha]

Two Humble Vegetables in Love - Potato, Onion, and Parmesan Bake

I thought of writing this story when I discovered that onions and potatoes should not be stored together – they can negatively impact each other’s shelf life and quality. Storing onions and potatoes together is not ideal because they release gases and moisture that can cause each other to spoil more quickly. So why not imagine a tale of a couple, an onion and a potato in love, doomed from the…

[masalacha]

Now & Then: A Collection of Recipes for Always by Tessa Kiros

I pre-ordered this book a long time ago, and it was finally published on August 3rd, 2023. I waited for it with great expectation and was not disappointed. I have been a passionate fan of Tessa for years, and her photographer for this beautiful book, Manos Chatzikonstantis, has also been one of my favorite food photogs. Dive into Tessa Kiros’s cookbook, filled with over 150 incredible recipes…

[masalacha]

Restaurant Dishes I Loved In 2023

2023 was a year of unexpected twists for me. With some changes in my job status and a rise in living expenses, it has been a time of reflection and self-discovery. Despite these challenges, I have found joy and gratitude in the little things – like the opportunity to explore a handful of fantastic restaurants. I may not have visited as many this year as usual, but each experience at these five…

[masalacha]

3- Ingredient Macaroni and Cheese

There is something truly magical about a dish that can transport you to cherished memories and faraway lands with just a few simple ingredients. This 3-ingredient Mac and cheese recipe, a delightful secret passed down from my aunt in Grenada, is a culinary treasure. In the warm, vibrant heart of the Caribbean, she mastered the art of creating rich flavors from humble ingredients, and this dish is…