Wednesday December 21, 2011
The theme is the holidays...and Cuban-American Martha Cortina shares her memories and reflections.
Martha Cortina was born in Cuba and moved to the United States when she was 11 years old. She grew up with the authentic flavors of Cuba. As an adult, Martha was determined to keep the traditions and chronicled her mother's recipes so she could make them for her family. Martha is passionate about cooking and her heritage so much so she has just published a cookbook called Authentic Cuban Cuisine. It's a lovely book in which Martha not only shares her recipes but recipes that she has collected and added her unique Cuban touch!
Listen to the radio show HERE!
Monday December 19, 2011
...for loving!
When you focus on others, the season takes on the right tone! It's not about how decorated your house is, or how many presents you may give or get, or how many parties you've been invited to. It's about LOVE.
In our house, we show love through food - treasured family recipes that take you down food memory lane, new recipes that reflect where we are currently, and nibbles and cookies from friends and family. All provide that important centerpiece to the holidays.
My menu this year:
Christmas Eve: Lobster Risotto, Fried Flounder, Baccala Salad and a big green salad. Cookies and Baked Chocolate Pudding for dessert. And of course, assorted Christmas cookies. We are small group this year.
Christmas Day: Rib Roast, Turnip and Potato Gratin, Broccoli with garlic and browned butter, and a big green salad. Gluten-free Yule Log and Gingerbread Cake. And of course, assorted Christmas cookies.
What's on your menu?
Sunday December 18, 2011
The chickens know that daylight is at a premium right now and they cling to every last morsel of sunshine before they reluctantly come home to roost. What is most striking to me is the color of the light just before the sun sets - a true gift of nature!
Friday December 16, 2011
Nostalgia is the word for the holidays.
When I was a little girl, my Mom threw a party for me and my friends - "Come Carol with Carole". My Dad would print up the songbooks for all of us to use and we would head out into the neighborhood and ring people's doorbells, wait for them to answer and then launch into a Carol. It was so much fun. We didn't want money or applause; we were spreading the joy of the season.
We ended up back at our house for cookies and hot chocolate. The cookie platter was full of pignolis, biscottii, sugar cookies, snow balls, cream puffs and more. Oddly, the biscotti and pignolis were harldy ever eaten by us kids. And I bet the adults were secretly happy.
I am glad I am an adult now! I made pignolis last weekend and was so happy to make something that Jim could eat too as they are gluten-free!
Monday November 21, 2011
I read a really interesting article a few months ago about gratitude. In fact, it was about a gratitude exercise where you spend an hour walking through your house and then outside your house and you look at everything you have and express gratitude for it. It's amazing how many things we just take for granted - like windows, for instance. They keep out the weather but they let the light in. When's the last time you looked at your windows and thanked them? There's something about gratitude that changes your mood for the better. And in that spirit, I would like to express gratitude for all those who helped make the Heirloom Meals Thanksgiving special.
Firstly to JP Lipa, my amazing, talented, brilliant Director and Cinematographer. JP "got it". He understood that Heirloom Meals was a storytelling show with recipes and cooking as the glue. Add his artistry, attention to detail and intense work ethic and voila, the perfect match for Heirloom Meals. And, if JP wasn't enough, he comes attached to his brother, Chris who handles all the production details for their company Eleven 11 Images. To help frame why JP is impressive....he shot Michael Jackson's last video. Here's his camera with the late singer, the same camera that shot the Heirloom Meals special:
Next, it's my Mom and family I need to thank. If you've seen the special, you will see how important Mom is to me. She has always been my inspiration, my guide, my best friend. Dad is also a role model - he is the type A, entrepreneur with a heart of gold. And then layer on all the memories of my grandparents and there are not enough thank you's!!
Next, is my new family - Jim, my three step kids and all that living with Jim in the Berkshires has to offer - our beautiful house, our chickens, cows and horses. Jim has supported me every step of the way. I am a lucky girl, I am!!
Next is my friend and assistant, Donna. I am grateful for having Donna in my life BUT now I am grateful that she is recovering from her lumpectomy. She'll be getting radiation treatments for 30 days but her prognosis is excellent!
Next, is my new friend Ken Zuckerman from Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs who started this whole thing anyway....his belief in me and Heirloom Meals propelled the making of the special. He also promoted the show by organizing the 4 premiere screenings we had last week and helped secure all the pledge items for New Hampshire Public Television and WGBY that will be airing in December. I tip my hat to you!!
Next, I am grateful for Lauren Zivyak whose energy and enthusiasm for the project and for Erin Gernon, my amazing summer intern who both stood by my side before and during the shoot. And for Madeline Finnerty for being available to help during the shoot and Jake DeVarrennes for all his help!
Then there are all the great guests whose beautiful, heart-felt stories and recipes created the rich fabric for the show. And then there are the sponsors who took a chance on an idea.
All this thanking has me feeling euphoric! Try it, you won't be disappointed!!
Lastly, THANK YOU ALL for watching an enjoying the show.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Monday November 21, 2011
To make comments and share memories on our Heirloom Meals' Thanksgiving Community Page, click HERE.
For a list of our Premiere Screenings, click HERE.
For a list of where and when the show is airing, click HERE.
For a list and links to our sponsors, click HERE.
For Show Recipes, click HERE.
For more information on the guests on the show, click HERE.