One of my fondest memories, as a young boy growing up in both Brooklyn and Queens, New York, (Oh Yes, I am what you would call a New York Rican on one side and Filipino on the other), well getting back to my memories. The meeting place was always in my Mother Flora's kitchen. And the conversation was the succulent dishes that my Grandmother used to prepare back in Santurce, Puerto Rico. And how the climate made a lot of difference in the way the food tasted.

To my Mother, Grandmother and the rest of the relatives, preparing the simplest dish was a ritual. Everything had to be just so before it went into the pot. When they thought about what the meal of the day would be, it was like poetry when they spoke about the ingredients they were going to use that day. For instance, if they were going to have chicken and rice, they wouldn't leave it there and just cook, no it would be more like this, "Tengo unas ganas de comer un arrozito con pollo" and then they would go on from there.

They had to decide what kind of beans they would have with the main dish along with the salad and the desert and oh yes don't forget the coffee. The coffeepot was always on in my mother's kitchen. In the spring and summer when the windows were open, the aromas of garlic, olive oil, vinegar and other herbs would escape into the neighborhood and the neighbors would ask, "What's for dinner?"

If you let me, I would like to share some of my Mother's recipes along with other authentic Puerto Rican recipes from snacks, appetizers to main dishes and even a succulent roast pig made over charcoal on a spit (Lechon), or if you like sea food, how about an octopus salad (ensalada de pulpo) and if you want we can even prepare a typical Christmas meal with all the trimmings including pasteles. We will also link to the Salsa beat to see what bands are in town as well as the latest in music and other fine restaurants. I'll also tell you where to get certain ingredients and this is just for starters. And always remember, Flora's Kitchen is here to serve you, so if you have any special dishes, let us know and we'll to accommodate you.

Thank You

Johnny

El Hijo De Flora

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