My earliest and fondest family memories revolve around the kitchen. The kitchen is where filipinos (my family anyway) entertained, mingled, celebrated and converse. The kitchen was the centre of the home. Family history, stories and urban myths are passed to the next generation over a snack, a meal or a cup of coffee. The kitchen is where the family comes together. It is where everyone is happy.
My grandma's (Lola Mesia) kitchen was the first kitchen where I discovered the joys of food. Her kitchen had a wood fire stove and oven. Cooking was an art. It required skills. Everything was done to precision. Heat has to be regulated properly to ensure food was cooked to perfection. Her pots and pans were made of cast iron, heavy and durable. She cooked using the freshest ingredient available. She carefully chooses, buys and butchers the livestock (i.e. chicken, duck, eel, etc) she uses in her cooking. Her cooking repertoire was extensive and unique. Some of them were passed on to the next generation. Others lost with her forever.
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