Two things are true. There’s nothing like homemade meatballs… and… you can’t buy mass produced meatballs that taste like homemade. I’m not particularly fond of making meatballs, but, for whatever reason, I find myself making them frequently. They always seem to disappear.

So, to make it worth the effort, I make a large batch every time I make them. I use one serving that day (after all, you have to enjoy them fresh), and freeze the rest for later. My recipe makes about 80 1 ½ inch meatballs.

There was an article that came out on MSNBC a few years back, reporting that a British psychologist calculated convergence of the highest level of depression on January 24^th.

I couldn’t help but think of anyone who was born on that day and attempting to celebrate their birthday. Happy birthday to you. It’s your birthday and you can cry if you want to.  ^_^

Well here’s to anyone trying to prove the research wrong. If you’re celebrating your special day or just trying to have fun amidst the winter blues, the Muse Gourmet says “Let them eat cake!”

Whether you’re making our homemade cake from the gourmet food collection (The Kid in Me… “B” is for the Best Birthday Cake Ever”) or just wanting to add something special to a store bought cake, this frosting recipe is delightful. It’s one of my favorites!

Be well.  Namasté

The Muse Gourmet

On the Western calendar, Chinese New Year arrives January 26^th.

The Ox is characterized by patience, but is fierce when faced with opposition. President Barack Obama was born in a year of the Ox. For that matter, so was Oscar de la Hoya.

I admit it. I love take out Chinese food.

One of my favorite evenings is one where I order Chinese, and eat out of those cute little cartons with chop sticks while watching a movie. For my taste, the best thing to drink with Chinese food is a nice cold beer. Something about the flavors of soy, ginger, garlic and beer make me feel like I’m at a party. But, the party isn’t too loud and is really comfortable. Paramount to the experience is your favorite set of jammies or athletic wear (intended to be politically correct; meaning not so athletic wear…sweats) and a comfy sofa.

I don’t indulge in this little celebration nearly enough though. I may order take out Chinese once or twice a year..tops. I’m always stopped by the guilt associated with eating the generally grease laden mediocre entrees. So…to allow myself to enjoy the simple pleasures in life more frequently and still fit into my non elastic clothing, I came up with a fried rice recipe that anyone can make. All it takes is a little forethought…meaning you really do need to cook the rice the day before. And…please don’t insult me or yourself by using instant rice. Regular rice cooks beautifully in a vegetable steamer that has a rice bowl in about 50 minutes…and it tastes soooo much better and fills the kitchen with a pleasant aroma.

Be well.  

The Muse Gourmet

Down came the Christmas tree…*sigh*… the garland…the Santas, …the lights, …angels, …and, all that’s left, are the dusty remains of one broken bulb and a few dried berries that fell off the garland. *sigh*

This time of year always make me feel a little sad. The house looks so empty.

But, I do have a sense of accomplishing something that I’ve been putting off for a bit. (I’m definitely not one of these folks that gets right to it on the day after Christmas. )

I think I also get a little sad because this is the time of year that represents the passage of time for me. Sure, New Year’s eve is a good time to reflect, but it always seems contrived on that night. I can never really get into the spirit of thinking about goals that maybe weren’t quite met… dreams that seemed a little further away…

But, setting goals (whether we actually every achieve them), signifies the leap of faith that we all take when we make plans for the future. A leap of faith in the promise of tomorrow. Faith that we’ll be here to take the next step on the path toward our vision of a better year.

So, for MY goals for the new year…

Make a difference. Someway, somehow, take deliberate actions that have a direct impact on my fellow man. A positive impact that is…of course!… *grin*

• Have more fun
• Not be so hard on myself
• Live in the moment (cliché, I know)

There, that’s it. Who would need anymore? If I accomplish each of those things during the year, how can it be a bad year?

Be well.  

The Muse Gourmet

This site is dedicated to all things kitchen; cooking, baking, tools, techniques and tips. While the blog is relatively new, the recipes aren’t. Some of the recipes are from the old country and all of the recipes shared on this site have been tested by my family and friends and have received an overwhelming stamp of approval. If I don't think a recipe is good; I don't post it. As a reader, I don't like having to sort through the weeds to find the gems. I thought I'd spare you the treasure hunt as well.

If I recommend any products in my posts, it's because I own the products, use the products, and have found them to be best in class. I don't get paid for any recommendatios, so anything I write is sincere and intended to help.

I also don't claim to be a photographer. I know the photos lack that "magazine" feel. I can never seem to locate my camera when I need it, so I grab my phone instead. You can only do so much with the camera on your phone.

It is my sincere desire that you look at this blog as the park in your community.

My husband is the park ranger and he’ll take care of the maintenance.

I’m the landscape designer and I’ll plant some flowers here and there.

And you, you are our guest, and are welcome to enjoy the scenery.

You are encouraged to plant seeds of creativity in the community park as well, and add constructive comments as you see appropriate. All can benefit from this participation. However, please refrain from leaving comments that are rude, to any members of our community (no trolls please). It’s like taking your dog for a walk and not picking up any “contributions” that he may leave. The landscaper doesn’t like to step in it and has to call the park ranger to have it removed.  Repeat offenders will be asked to visit a different park.

Relax, enjoy and welcome to my blog.

Be well.  

Dear Friend,

If you don't splash in puddles as a child, when will you make the time? When I was young, I splashed puddles. The splatter of water on my feet, my hands and face made me giddy.

I grew up on a Midwest farm, rode horses and had a pet chicken named Huntzy. All simple pleasures for a little girl who stomped rain puddles.

By college, I was hungry for more. I wanted to succeed, to do and have more. When I married, my husband and I packed everything we owned into a U-Haul and hit the road, off to our big city utopia.

Life became planning systems and task lists and keeping one frantic step ahead of the minute hand’s arm. When I came upon a puddle, I always stepped around. Success was near, but I was not fulfilled.

I didn’t recognize the regret accumulating within, until I had a child of my own. Here, suddenly, was this tiny source of wonder and curiosity. I recognized I had that, once. My son taught me how to stomp puddles again—to embrace the joy of a single moment.

Now, I stomp puddles in my kitchen. It’s in the kitchen I can take that symbolic leap, stamp my feet and feel the splash of life against my face. A dash of thyme. A hint of nutmeg. A drop of vanilla. Splish. Splish. Splash.

When I create a recipe, I’m expressing the flavor of a moment, not preparing food. When someone prepares food, it’s for sustenance. When someone reflects her mood and experiences in flavor, the result is artistic expression, and anyone can do it.

All my recipes have a story. A quick sassy salad that speaks of a hectic day. The warm comfort of chicken and dumplings sighing the content sigh of a lazy, rainy Sunday afternoon. I hope to inspire you to try your hand at creating something new; to help you find your palette of colors, flavors, smells and sounds.

My blog is a journal of my journey through the kitchen and through life, my recipes are culinary memories, a waft of emotion. I hope you share this sensory scrapbook with me, and become inspired to make your own.

Heidi Biesterveld