Smells, Flavors and Textures

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The smell of freshly cut ginger takes me to a happy place - it literally makes me smile! It’s such a soothing aroma. My mother swears by its medicinal properties. Not everyone connects with the same smells though so it’s fun to discover your specific smile points - those simple joys of ingredient smells, flavors, and textures that determine your taste preferences. My three favorite food smells and flavors are cilantro, ginger, and Indian curries. In terms of food textures I am not one for overly saucy foods - which Steve loves, but I am obsessed with crunchy things like crackers, toast, tortilla chips, dry cereals and even the crunchy semi-burnt rice on the bottom of a Puerto Rican rice dish (all gluten-free of course!) I remember as a kid that my papi (father) would save me the scrapped bottom of a rice pot. That memory of food and family is so special and personal. I just talked to my 85 year old papi this morning and I know that I am blessed to have him in my life! Food and family - don’t skimp out on those simple joys of life!

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