I'm Back in the Kitchen

Have you experienced playing with chopped ornamental leaves, shredded gumamelas, blanched santan, pounded five fingers, and rice in play pots when you were 6, 7 or 8? And afterwards, your Mom would come out screaming, "Anak, nagkalat ka na naman dyan!!!"

That was me when I was a child, a chef in my simplest, most innocent way; experimenting unedible formulas, abusing the abundancy of water supply, making mortar and pestle out of igneous rocks, playing with fire and matches, cooking the "uncookables," and so on. That was the best part of my childhood.

Now I realize I have grown up with the same interests I had when I was young. Cooking, along with writing, sports and the arts, started during kindergarten and I am glad I am able to nurture "my gifts."

I am finally back in the kitchen! I was able to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner for my family this weekend. All of them had their own favorites. Fernan liked my sardines omelette for breakfast, Mom loved my grilled pork chops with spring onion sauce for lunch, and Dad & Pemy loved my penne primavera for dinner. It really feels good when people you love appreciate your "Labor of Love."

Seeing the positive impact of this hobby will definitely get me going. I hope I can find more time to cook for my loved ones because cooking, aside from serving as an outlet of inspiration and a therapy to relieve stress, is one way to show my family and friends how much I love them.

And as a proof, I want to share with you some recipes I did during my long weekend stay at home. Kindly visit my food blog at http://patikimako.blogspot.com. Enjoy!