And now
serving …again…
Did I ever
mention that I love to cook? I love it so much that it gives me a good feeling
to see the happy faces enjoying the food I prepared for them …because I make
everything with “love” in mind (that’s what my case manager told me after
sampling my enchiadas).
Just turned 46 on Tuesday …so what better way to celebrate
it by cooking a special dinner for everyone! In a way, it was my birthday gift
back to my friends …mothers with children …single men, et al. And the dinner of
choice – my famous enchiladas with Spanish rice!
This was a tougher challenge than making lasagna …rolling
tortillas shells with meat mixture isn’t easy (even burned myself a little on
the arm – first battle wound!) …especially with people watching and waiting for
more enchiladas. They loved the smell and vibrant flavors that burst through
the meat …loved the spiciness in the cheese sauce. I have requests for personal
pans of enchiladas from a couple of men.
Like the last time, people LOVED it!
It was exciting and something new for them to try …didn’t
even make them spicy like I usually make it if I had my own place. They wanted
more …and more …and more …some came down for seconds (that’s when I ran out of
enchiladas to serve). In the end, my feet were seriously hurting …arms were
hurting from carrying heavy pans and boy, did I smell like onions and garlic –
again.
It’s amazing how my cooking sparked lively conversations
amongst the residents …compliments from the kitchen and staff (they want me to
make enchiladas every night!) …kids were finally eating something they could
enjoy. In other words, my gift made everyone feel special as if it was their
birthday.
PLUS – there NO chicken on the menu for dinner! I think
that’s what made everyone happy.
Luckily, I saved the last two enchiladas (I didn’t eat
before dinner service began because I wanted people to eat and enjoy my cooking
…it’s something I do when cooking – always serving myself last).
Now, I have the difficult task of coming up with something
to cook in two weeks. I’m torn between making meatloaf (if I do that, I would
have to kick out the entire kitchen …can’t give away my secret recipe!) or
something for the kids in mind …like pizza – pepperoni pizza in fact. I’m
leaning towards the pizza because I want the kids to have a fun meal to eat
since shelter meals aren’t really designed with them in mind.
*smiles*
Oh yeah …starting Monday, I shall embark on obtaining my
food sanitation license here at ASHF …soon you can call me “chef” …but cook is
just fine. Not into fancy titles …cooking to me is about passion …making people
happy and feel loved.
Who knows – maybe one day, you might be a guest at my
restaurant …already have a name for it – it’s quite simple with four little letters…
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