Happy 1st Anniversary Becsfarm

One year ago this blog came to be when a friend quipped "start a food blog." Blogging has been a wonderful writing, learning, thinking, creating and dreaming experience for me. It's been fun and empowering, even challenging at times. I've enjoyed sharing with you. As I look back on the last year I see this blog is really a journal of where I've been and where I am at in the present moment. I am eternally grateful for the new friends I've made along the way, my longtime friends and family, all the wonderful foods available to me, the well equipped kitchens I get to cook in, the beautiful neighborhood I live and play in and most certainly, my good health, energy, passion and enthusiasm. I feel blessed. Thank you friends, family, God, the Universe and Cyberville.

About quality

Two of my favorite savory cooking ingredients, which I use often, are Extra Virgin Olive Oil and aged Balsamic Vinegar. I like “first cold pressed” EVOO from Italy. For a real treat I buy organic. High quality aged balsamic vinegar and high quality EVOO have a grand taste. I suppose I got hooked on these two gems when I went to Italy last year and ate a lot of salads in Tuscany drizzled with EVOO and Balsamic. Once I returned to California I began purchasing really good EVOO and aged balsamic and I've enjoyed it ever since. I pay a little more for this, but a little goes a long way, savoring them for dishes where I use them uncooked, especially salads and salad dressings. (Cooking with high quality EVOO is a waste of high quality EVOO. Instead use every-day, regular EVOO for cooking.) Sometimes I amaze myself. I just looked in my kitchen cabinet and found 4 different bottles of EVOO and 3 different bottles of balsamic vinegar! Somehow I seem to know exactly which one to use for whatever I'm preparing.
A selection of EVOO and Balsamic Vinegars from my cupboard

The Happy Couple

Weddings are such happy events, for sure, and this wedding was probably the most real, down-to-earth, unpretentious, yet beautifully classic one I’ve had the pleasure of attending. My darling niece, Pearl, and her now husband Chris, and the beautiful little baby Maya (my grand niece) spread their love to all and we definitely felt it. It was a delightful, sweet event with no glitches or hitches, uncomplicated and perfect in every way. I am honored to have witnessed it and happy to have added the element of some good food for it. Thanks to all who helped me in the kitchen. And congratulations Pearl and Chris.

...............and baby makes three.............

The sweet baby Maya in her wedding party dress

This little spirit showed up in our lives and brought love and harmony with her. She is such a gift to our family. Her Grandpa, Dave, said "I can't wait to take her to Disneyland"... (in a few years, of course, so she can really enjoy it).