Spanish Rolls

A few weeks ago, I tried a recipe for Spanish Rolls that I found on Catherine Toth's blog, The Cat Dish. This buttery soft bread is a staple at Filipino bakeries, and I've been working on getting the recipe just right for the holidays! When I was younger, a box of Spanish Rolls usually accompanied special occasions...whether it was served at a family party, a gift from an auntie, or from a stop at our favorite bakery in the Bay Area. We've always bought them already made, but this recipe showed me how easy it is to make my own version at home! (Especially when I get a super-craving...) The yeast-raised dough is filled with butter and sugar, so the aroma that fills your kitchen is almost enough to get you addicted. Once you take a bite of the pillowy soft rolls, though, you are definitely devouring a dozen...in one sitting.

Cooking with Mom: Lumpia Lettuce Wraps with Turkey & Veggies

Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away, so most of us have a pretty good idea of what we're going to cook on the big day. (Right??) We tend to focus on The Dinner, but we can't forget about what we're going to feed all the guests that arrive early! In my family, everyone loves to come over as soon as possible, especially to watch all of the football games. So, there needs to be a couple of dishes on the buffet table for everyone to munch on. This lettuce wrap recipe is perfect for gameday and as a light lunch! (No spoiled appetites!)

My mom and I came up with this recipe together, something that I'm extremely grateful for. A year ago, she was sick in the hospital, and the holiday was so far from our minds. I couldn't even begin to plan a big Thanksgiving dinner. Somehow, though, my sister and I were able to put one together at the very last minute. The food was great, and we were all happy to be home...but it was still rushed and a bit of a bittersweet night. This year, Mom is healthy and ready to enjoy the 2013 holiday on our terms!

Cranberry Apple Butter (Slow Cooker!)

Last Sunday, my sister and I took the kids out to Apple Hill. This "hill" is actually made up of over 50 family-run farms, including orchards, Christmas tree farms, and vineyards. The drive up there is so beautiful and relaxing on a Fall day, passing through an historic Gold Rush town and into the Sierra foothills of El Dorado County. When I was a kid, my elementary school used to organize field trips to the pumpkin patches and You-Pick ranches, and my family would go to cut down our tree for Christmas. Apple Hill brings back nothing but fun childhood memories, so it was exciting to bring my niece and nephew along for their very first trip!

It was also the perfect excuse to haul home a few pounds of apples and to make something delicious out of them! I was ready to enjoy the Autumn harvest! :)