I grew up in the Los Angeles area. Sundays were always spent with family at my Mexican grandmother’s home in South Central L.A. South Central is a notoriously rough area riddled with crime and rivaling gangs. It wasn’t nearly so bad back then. Sundays the whole family gathered: aunts, uncles, and cousins for a day of visiting, eating, and drinking. The uncles and older male cousins would watch football or whatever sports were on, drink adult beverages, and smoke cigarettes.The aunts would hang around the kitchen, gossiping while my Aunt Cookie prepared the family meal of tacos, rice, beans, and salad. The kids would be sent to the corner liquor store for a six-pack of Crush soda and maybe some candy. That store was scary back then – I wouldn’t even get out of my car there now.

But I glossed over the best part. Tacos. We had perfect tacos almost every Sunday unless it was a special occasion. Christmas we had tamales or menudo. Sometimes we had enchiladas or albondigas soup. Imprinted in my sensory memory bank is the scent and taste of those delicious dishes, and every dish I prepare is always measured against the benchmark of those memories. If there was anything served that was not typical Mexican food it was usually made by my mother, a farm girl from Nebraska who had never tasted a taco until she met my dad. Mom made a bread pudding that could make you cry. So good. Waldorf salad, custard, and her perfect turkey stuffing – the best ever. That being said, she perfected tacos, rice, and beans with my aunt’s coaching.

I don’t know if families do this any more. I never knew anything else. We almost never had birthday parties with our friends from school – we just always celebrated the next Sunday at grandma’s house with our aunts, uncles, and cousins. We gathered every week and ate together. Sometimes in the summer we gathered at my parents’ house or my aunt and uncle’s for a barbecue, but everything always centered around family and delicious food.

So, in keeping with tradition, I made tamales for my family last Christmas. They turned our darn good, if I do say so. Having just lost my mom, I’ve been reflecting on childhood memories for the past several months. Oh, how I wish I had my Aunt Cookie’s recipes. I decided I should make a cookbook for my daughters and grandkids so they will at least have what is in my brain and much of what has been passed down from my mom and Aunt Cookie. What a grand idea! Well, if you knew me you’d know I am full of grand ideas. Not tons of them come to pass, if you know what I mean. So I told my eldest daughter, the journalist/writer, and she said, “You should start a video blog.” And I said, “Well then I’d have to lose weight.” This may not be anyone else’s train of logic, but it certainly is mine. My daughter said, “No one trusts skinny chefs anyway.” And then I was confounded and had no more argument.

So there we have it. I am starting a food blog.

Currently my husband and I live in a 55-and-older golf and country club community in the South Bay. We moved here about four years after a drastic and traumatic downsize, much to the horror of at least one of our daughters. We went from a five bedroom, three bath home to a two bedroom, two bath condo. A gourmet kitchen with a five-burner gas stove, dual ovens, miles of counter top, and a walk-in pantry became a tiny galley kitchen with a 40-year-old electric stove, a miniscule oven, and a distressing lack of counter space. This is a one-man kitchen, friends. More than two people in my kitchen feels like the whole barnyard in there! Hence the name – Anita’s Little Kitchen.

So, yes this blog is a surprise! A mixed bag, sort of like me. My recipes will probably not help you lose weight or be healthier. Most of the ingredients will probably be easy to find. Right up front I offer apologies to all of my family and friends who are actually trained chefs. I’ll be honest – sometimes my stuff doesn’t come out quite right because I’m a bit of an improviser. I like options! And I cook for my family, who have special dietary restrictions. One family member is a bona fide celiac who cannot eat gluten without serious consequences, two have lactose intolerance, and one a peanut allergy. Most of my dishes take these matters into consideration. Not all, but most. So like I said, it will be a surprise! I hope you enjoy, because I’m having fun already.

Many blessings,

Anita