A Creative Legacy: How a Love for Food Transformed into a Thriving Blog and Delicious Grain-Free Recipes

Creativity has always been a vibrant thread woven through the fabric of my family, an inherent quality I’ve observed and admired for as long as I can remember. This deep-rooted artistic inclination, expressed in myriad forms, unknowingly paved the way for my own journey of self-discovery through culinary arts and storytelling.

My grandfather, affectionately known as “Yeye,” was an innovator far ahead of his time. Long before I entered the world, he ingeniously crafted his own set of amplifier-speakers, not from specialized components, but from everyday kitchen utensils like pots and pans, transforming ordinary items into extraordinary tools. Later, his inventive spirit led him to devise a complex system of security locks to safeguard our home, a testament to his unique problem-solving skills and forward-thinking mind. His ability to see beyond the obvious, to repurpose and create, was truly inspiring.

Following in Yeye’s footsteps, though perhaps with a different medium, is my father. I vividly recall the years he spent rebuilding our family home, a labor of love that showcased his incredible vision and meticulous attention to detail. Night after night, he would immerse himself in blueprints and patio designs, a pencil in one hand, a ruler in the other, constantly refining and erasing until his architectural dreams took shape on paper. It was mesmerizing to witness his ability to conjure a complete house in his mind’s eye, and even more so to translate that abstract vision into concrete plans that guided the constructor to bring it to life. This fusion of imagination and practicality left a lasting impression on me.

My brother, Ronald, inherited this artistic flair from an early age. His childhood was filled with doodling and drawing, sometimes sketching intricate cars or the iconic Eiffel Tower, other times simply allowing his imagination to dictate the lines and shapes. Today, as he pursues graphic design, Ronald’s professional work and extensive portfolio continue to astound me. I am perpetually impressed by his boundless creativity and the humble dedication he pours into every project. His talent is a constant source of pride and admiration.

Meanwhile, my sister, Valerie, expresses her creativity through the universal language of music. Whether expertly maneuvering drums or strumming the guitar, she composes melodies and pens lyrics that resonate with such beauty and emotion, they could bring tears to your eyes. Her ability to channel feelings into harmonious sounds and poignant words is truly captivating, demonstrating yet another facet of our family’s diverse creative spirit.

While the origins of creativity—whether it’s an innate genetic trait or something nurtured and cultivated—remain a fascinating mystery, one truth has always resonated deeply within me: since childhood, I have felt an undeniable, immense need to create. For many years, this urge was an undefined whisper, a quiet stirring I never fully articulated or understood. However, a recent piece by Shanna, eloquently discussing the vital importance of having creative outlets, illuminated my past experiences. It helped me finally comprehend why, over the years, I have constantly sought various avenues to express the words and thoughts that often feel too profound or intricate to simply speak aloud.

In early 2012, this yearning for expression, coupled with a practical desire to better nourish myself, serendipitously led me to enroll in once-a-week cooking classes. I approached these Thursday sessions with a simple goal: to learn the fundamentals of cooking. Little did I know that this seemingly straightforward decision would unlock an entire avalanche of new activities and familiar passions, ultimately becoming a profound source of solace and joy in my life.

The initial months of cooking class were dedicated to mastering the basics. I learned the precise art of kneading dough, the subtle technique of rolling it to perfection, and the rhythmic figure-8 motion required to achieve creamy risotto. These foundational skills, though seemingly simple, demanded a surprisingly huge reserve of patience and precision, teaching me discipline in the kitchen. Beyond the practical techniques, I discovered fascinating kitchen wisdom: how rubbing fingers against stainless steel under running water miraculously eliminates persistent garlic odor, or the elegant trick of preserving fresh herbs like parsley by treating them like flowers, stems immersed in water within the refrigerator. Each lesson was a revelation, transforming mundane tasks into delightful discoveries.

It was an exhilarating experience, a flood of new knowledge and sensations, as if my senses had been awakened for the very first time. I even found myself learning cooking vocabulary in Spanish, suddenly possessing a rich hearth of culinary understanding in a language entirely new to me. This linguistic immersion further deepened my connection to the culinary world, expanding my horizons in unexpected ways.

While mastering the basics was incredibly fruitful and built my confidence, it was only after establishing a firm grasp of these fundamentals that I truly felt empowered to unleash my previously bottled-up kitchen creativity. The kitchen transformed from a place of instruction to a boundless playground for experimentation.

Consider the humble pound cake, for instance. After successfully baking the classic version, I began to envision and create countless variations. Lemon-infused pound cakes, banana-studded ones, peach-laden delights – each iteration was an opportunity to experiment with flavors and textures. Through this process of working with and adapting basic recipes, I discovered an insatiable desire to constantly create and test new culinary ideas, pushing the boundaries of what I thought possible in my own kitchen.

Writing, which had always been a profound passion but had unfortunately receded into the background for several years, suddenly surged back into my life. It became the perfect vessel to express this burgeoning love for cooking, and – as you might have astutely guessed – this blog, Dish by Dish, was unexpectedly born. It was a natural confluence of two beloved creative outlets, a digital space where my words could celebrate my culinary adventures.

Armed with this newfound fascination in the kitchen and an eager desire to continually push my culinary boundaries, I began to meticulously document every step of my journey. Each time I incorporated a novel ingredient, or introduced a unique twist to a familiar dish, I recorded it here. This blog became a living journal, a testament to my evolving skills and discoveries, a place where I could pour out in writing the profound feelings my heart could sense but my spoken words often struggled to articulate.

Somewhere along this exciting creative path, I also wholeheartedly embraced food photography. My initial attempts were rudimentary, capturing dishes with my cell phone camera under the unflattering glow of hideous yellow kitchen lights. From there, I transitioned to a Sony point-and-shoot compact camera, gradually refining my eye for composition and lighting. Eventually, I made the significant upgrade to my Canon EOS 650D DLSR, shifting my focus primarily to harnessing the beautiful nuances of natural light. This progression wasn’t just about equipment; it was about learning to see, to compose, and to capture the essence of food.

Beyond the technical advancements from one camera to the next, I developed a strong, compelling need to tell stories through my pictures—an ongoing pursuit I diligently work on every day. My aspiration is to “draw with light,” as the very word “photography” implies, transforming simple ingredients and cooked dishes into visual narratives. This blog provides me with a constantly fresh canvas, an endless opportunity to practice, experiment, and hone my photographic storytelling skills, pushing me to improve with every click of the shutter.

As I cooked dish after dish, meticulously documenting each recipe and capturing its essence through photography, these simple culinary creations and their accompanying images began to intertwine seamlessly with my personal stories. Time, as it always does when you are fully immersed and enjoying every moment, flew by. It feels almost unbelievable that exactly two years have passed since I penned my very first post on Dish by Dish. To truly grasp the significance of this milestone, I feel compelled to articulate what this journey and this space truly mean to me.

It’s almost unfathomable how such a tiny corner on the vast expanse of the internet, nestled among thousands of other incredible food blogs, can bring me such an immense sense of pleasure, profound satisfaction, and deep fulfillment. Yet, my dear friend Shanna, in her remarkable wisdom, encapsulated this feeling with such clarity and simplicity that it resonates with all who hear it.

She beautifully articulates – “It could be working on a car or studying astronomy or tilling the earth that shows it to you, but these gifts of work, especially creative work, can be the very tools to give us hope.” Her words perfectly capture the essence of what this creative outlet has become for me: a wellspring of hope and purpose.

Indeed, this blog means more to me than words can fully convey. It provides me with the perfect excuse and impetus to bake yet another batch of decadent brownies, or fluffy muffins, or simply to patiently wait by the stove as fresh fruits gently simmer, transforming into luscious jam. Each of these acts is a form of kitchen therapy, a soothing balm for a weary soul, a moment of mindful creation that brings peace.

It is also the primary motivation behind taking hundreds of pictures on an almost-daily basis, relentlessly striving to refine my food photography skills and master the intricate art of translating compelling stories into captivating images. This commitment to visual storytelling continually challenges and excites me. Furthermore, this platform has provided an unparalleled opportunity to hone my writing, week after week, month after month. Far beyond a mere journal chronicling my life both inside and outside the kitchen, it stands as a comprehensive chronicle of my writing journey, a dynamic catalog illustrating how my prose evolves and adapts as I navigate the different phases and experiences of my life.

But more than all these tangible benefits and creative outlets, what this blog truly offers me, at its very core, is hope.

It instills the hope that one day I might mature into a writer whose words possess the power to deeply touch and resonate with those who read them, fostering connection and understanding. It fuels the hope that I can genuinely be of help to the busy career man or woman, offering accessible, delicious, and easy-to-follow recipes for those demanding weeknight dinners, simplifying their lives one meal at a time. It embodies the hope that through this very space, not only do I get to expand and refine my own creative talents, utilizing it as a vital creative outlet to truly live my story and enrich my own life, but that I will also be able to positively touch the lives of countless others. And finally, it offers hope in humanity itself, grounded in the comforting knowledge that there are countless kindred spirits out there, sharing the same fervent passion for food, for life, for love, and for genuine connection.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to extend a colossal, heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every one of you who takes the time to read this blog.

Thank you for your incredible generosity in sharing your precious time with me, and for granting me the freedom and space to continuously improve my creative gifts and to practice doing what I genuinely love. Thank you for patiently reading my often-lengthy posts from beginning to end, and for reaching out with your thoughtful comments when something truly resonates with you. And thank you, simply, for being here, for your quiet presence and unwavering support, even when no words are exchanged. Your presence means the world.

It truly means the world to me.

THANK YOU. SO MUCH.

GRAIN-FREE POMEGRANATE COCONUT SCONES

(Makes 8 scones)
Adapted from: Eat Good For Life

Ingredients:

1) 1 organic egg
2) 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3) 1/4 cup of light brown sugar
4) 1 1/2 cups of fine almond meal
5) 2 tablespoons of tapioca flour (or arrowroot powder, or cornstarch for substitution)
6) 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
7) 1/2 cup of fresh pomegranate seeds
8) 1/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut
9) 1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 175 degrees Celsius).
2) Line a 9-inch round baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring it extends up the sides of the pan for easy removal. Set this prepared pan aside.
3) In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the egg, brown sugar, and softened butter. Beat these ingredients thoroughly until they are well incorporated and the mixture is light and creamy.
4) Add all the remaining ingredients to the bowl, with the exception of the fresh pomegranate seeds. Mix everything through until just combined. Now, gently add most of the pomegranate seeds (reserving about one tablespoon for a topping) and carefully fold them into the batter using your hands or a spatula, taking care not to crush them.
5) Press the prepared batter evenly into the lined baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of pomegranate seeds over the top surface of the batter, pressing them lightly to adhere.
6) Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the scones comes out completely clean, indicating they are fully cooked and golden brown.
7) Allow the scones to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before attempting to cut them. Using the parchment paper, carefully lift the entire scone round from the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut it into 8 equal wedges or pieces.
8) Serve these delicious scones warm on their own, or elevate them further with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on the side.

*Note: For optimal freshness, these grain-free scones can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

P.S. If you’re curious about my journey to eliminate wheat from my diet and its potential health benefits, I highly recommend exploring Wheat Belly – a truly empowering book that provides insightful information and robust motivation to understand and address the adverse health effects often associated with wheat consumption!