In the Kitchen with Kristine Carlos Lewis

I’m am so excited to share this blog post with you and announce the launch of a new blog post series called, “In the Kitchen With.” This is a series I have been dreaming about writing for the past five years.  I got the idea when I returned home from a vacation in Puerto Rico.  

We visited Charlie’s great aunt Angie who prepared us feast of local dishes.  As I watched her cook and Charlie translated what she was making I was inspired by her grace in the kitchen.  What would have taken me hours and several attempts reading recipes she effortfully created.  I loved learning about the food and how to prepare it but mostly, I loved watching her put so much love into her food. It was my favorite meal of the whole trip.  No restaurant will ever compare to eating tostones, chicken and rice around a kitchen table in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.  Sadly, Angie passed away a few years ago.   I regret not better capturing the moments I had with her in that kitchen.  So, that I why I’m starting this series.  I want to share cooking experiences with you.  I want to bring you new foods from people who have a passion for the kitchen just like me.  

So welcome to my “In the Kitchen With!”

Kristine Carlos Lewis, is a friend who I met though Charlie.  Both her and I have a love for eating and cooking.  I am always inspired by her food posts on Facebook.  Before cooking with her I was not very familiar with Filipino food.  Last weekend that all changed as she invited me into her kitchen to make three awesome dishes (below) that I welcome you explore.  

Kristine was born in the Philippines and moved to the US in 2000.  Once and interior decorator, she is now a computer engineer extraordinaire.  She didn’t embrace cooking until she move to the US where now she cooks for her family.  She is married with two adorable and very HIGH energy boys.  

You will notice that all of these recipes reuse ingredients. She often cooks several dishes at one time and subscribes to the motto shop once, cook once, eat all week. 

It was a total joy cooking with Kristine.  I hope you enjoy the food we made and recipes.  

Thank you Kristine for opening up your home to me and showing me a bit of your culture’s cuisine.  I could not have picked a better person for my inaugural post of “In the Kitchen With.”

Check out the recipes for the dishes we created below. 

 

Mechado Beef.

 

 

 

 

Nilagang Baka.

 

 

 

 

Pancit Bihon.