Recipe for Joy and Strawberry Pie

We were a full house, and I felt so blessed. I felt blessed not only because they are all such loving, caring people but also because they all have seva hearts. They understand the concept of service which means they all know how to pitch in and help and to do it with joy.
Homemade Cracker Jacks

Cracker Jacks remind me that food is more than aroma, texture, and taste. It is more than the building blocks of our bodies, essential as all of those things may be. Food is also memories, sometimes strong memories, good or bad.
Clam Dip

I find it is a cook’s best friend to serve when you have a group of people cooking together. I have seen it transform a group of people who want to help, but are perhaps tired or overwhelmed by a party. It sparks their energy.
Chapatis

In the south [of India], soup dishes such as dal are mixed with rice to a texture that can be picked up. In the north, you use chapatis to pick up your food. You tear off a piece of chapati by leaning on it with the heel of your right hand and tearing with your fingers.
Marcona Almond, Pecan, Pistachio Nut Brittle with Sesame Seeds and Dark Chocolate

This candy has all the crunch and butteriness of caramel brittle backed by rich, creamy chocolate studded with salty nuts. It has a good snap but it also gives way when you bite in and doesn’t break your teeth.
Turkey Barley Soup

Another thing I am always grateful for at Thanksgiving is the leftovers. I love to be able to open my refrigerator door, to look inside and dream about the possibilities of what to do with all those leftovers.
Weezie’s Magic Cream with Shea Butter: For Very Dry Skin

Before I started making my own, I had trouble finding body butters that suited me and they seemed to have a million ingredients with very long scientific names that didn’t sound like something my skin would like.
Ghee

Ghee is a little hard to make unless you see someone do it. This photo essay lets you make your own ghee without someone there to help you.
Chicken Adobo

Chicken Adobo, crowd pleaser, low key, accommodating, with some natural charisma and a ton of flavor. The chicken is a little sweet and a little savory, falling off the bone, and accompanied by tender whole cloves of garlic.
Trifle

Trifle has cake and jam, whipped cream, pudding and fruit. It is made like lasagna, in layers. Trifle is festive. You make it in a big bowl and dive in with a big spoon to serve it. It is sensual, decadent, the way a party dessert should be.