Beauty of Simplicity

I hope you enjoy this simple little snack as much as I do!!!

My Two Favorite “F” Words: Food and Family

           I grew up with four siblings and two wonderful and caring parents. My siblings and I didn’t always get along so well, but now that we are older our relationships are so strong. I have two brothers, Kalvin and Kean, and two sisters, Kayla and Kelsie. Yes, all of our names start with the letter K, which can be confusing when your mom is trying to yell at you, and she goes through the whole list of names. Let me just say my childhood was never dull or boring. There was always something happening, and usually these “happenings” ended up with all of us youngsters crowding around a kitchen table to enjoy a meal together. It always seemed whether it be my immediate family or not, food always brought family together.

I spent this past weekend with my whole immediate family, a total of ten with in-laws! My brother, Kalvin, and his wife, Chasity just finished building a log home in Perry County, Pennsylvania. On Saturday they had a house warming party. Also on Saturday my sister, Kelsie, and brother-in-law, Chip, arrived home for the first time in a year and a half from Bristol, England where they have been studying for their master’s degrees. This weekend was the first time in almost two years my whole family was together. And surprise, surprise, there was a large amount of food present.

This correlation between family and food might be the foundation for my passion for cooking and baking. As we grow older it is harder and harder to get us all together at the same time because we are all so busy with our lives. I absolutely adore my family, and I could never imagine my life without any of them. It just so happens that when one of my favorite “F” words is present the other one is usually close behind. And I can’t say I mind it that way!

Daddy

Sister-in law, Chasity

Brother, Kalvin (we're cooking food!)

Middle: Brother-in law, Chip, sister, Kelsie, and my fiance, Chad (right)

Same as above, Sister, Kayla in middle

Brother, Kean

Mommy!

"The Girls of the family!"

True English Fish 'N Chips

     The other day at the Dining Hall I actually enjoyed a piece of beer-battered haddock, unbelievable, I know. It brought back so many memories of my trip this past summer to Bristol, England to visit my sister. This puny piece of fish was nothing compared to the juicy and delicious piece of broiled cod I had numerous times in England. There are two parts of the English "Fish 'N Chips," the fish and the chips. Might sound like a recipe that can be easily perfected, however, as Americans, we get it so wrong. The English, however, are the masters. The fish covered in this golden, crispy, perfect tasting crust only magnifies the excellence of the fresh fish. The chips are not potato chips at all! "Chips" in England refer to french fries. English Chips are like fresh cut steak fries, crispy on the outside and warm potato on the inside, perfect! There are two condiments that are a necessity in England, salt and malt vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar pairs perfect with the saltiness. As you can see from this post, Fish 'N Chips was my absolute favorite meal in England, and I hope one day I will be able to experience that meal again. And I hope you, too, get a chance to partake of a True English Fish 'N Chips!

Crispy, Crunchy, Deliciousness  

Absolutely enjoying my Fish 'N Chips with the Necessary Salt and Vinegar!

"Simple Yet Divine!" - Oreo Truffles...

My fiance's mother gave me this recipe, and I love enjoying these Oreo truffles on a bad day. You know those days when you just want to be alone, and curl up in a ball? Well this is the perfect comfort food for those days. Hope you enjoy!

Puppy Chow...A Snack Food for Humans that is...

Passion. What is passion? For me passion is something someone absolutely could not live without doing. My personal passion is food. That might sound gluttonous, but for me its not about personally eating the food. My passion is about preparing something from start to finish and watching people's enjoyment from eating something I created for them.
For a journalism class I am taking in college, I was assigned a personal blog designed around my passion. I knew immediately it would be about food. In the weeks coming, if you come by my blog you will see me cooking food, posting recipes, pictures of food, and suggestions for food around town, and pretty much anything that revolves around food.
This first post is a video of me cooking one of my most loved recipes. It is one that brings back so many childhood memories of making this recipe with my mother. Every time I make it I cannot help but think of her, plus it is, oh, so delicious. Hope you enjoy, and can start building your own passion for food.