Hi friends. WOW. I’ve had a tremendously busy 10 days! Writing, singing, cooking, traveling, photo shoots and doing interviews. I don’t have enough hours in my day. And while I don’t need a drink, I do need something stimulating and exciting to keep me going! I have another set of 10 busy days coming up! […]
I am way behind schedule on this post, so I apologize to all those I told to come back sometime on Monday to check out today’s post on PLANTAINS! I decided to DRIVE home to DC for a much needed break and lots of cookin’ in mi madre’s kitchen.
Oh yeah, and a week long photo […]
I’m so excited to announce cooking lessons at two schools in Atlanta: Vikings and the Cooks Warehouse!
I am working on finalizing the schedule for the entire summer. In the meantime, following are upcoming classes at both locations. Classes fill up fast so go online and register or send me an email if you have any […]
On a trip to Spain about 9 years ago, we visited a historic landmark called La Alhambra, in Granada (Southern region of the country)(name escapes me right now) (my Paris connect emailed me at 5 am on Tues. to give me the name of the place! Thanks, M!) where Gypsy women were soliciting palm […]
Hi foodies, wanna be foodies, haters and lovers!
I’ve been working some time now on securing a spot as a cooking instructor at the Vikings School here in Atlanta, and finally today I got an email confirming! I’m sooo excited. Because, por fin, I get to teach my friends, and complete strangers, how to be […]
My dad’s best friend lives in Paris and is a cool 50-something year old. He emails me every now and then to check up on me and exchange the good life of his city vs. the sometimes displeasing lifestyle of us Americans. I really do appreciate an email at 4 am, if I’m up. A […]
I dated this guy once that told me a really really naughty lie AFTER I fell in love with him. And hard. Naturally, I have a serious allergic reaction to impositions of emotions. I break out in hives and get a nervous twitch in my 8th eyelash of my right eye.
Who likes to be […]
Mi nombre es Brenda. My friends call me B. And Bren is my stage and pen-name. I’m a single gal living alone in Atlanta for the time being. I’m a soulful chick. I have a passion for all things food. I’m a singer/musician really, but an incredible cook, I have to say! I was raised in a very traditional Latin home, which meant everything happened(s) in the kitchen, literally! story-telling, crying, partying, fighting…oh yeah and cooking!
Read More About B »
Paella is Cuban slang meaning "for her". It's also a Spanish dish of rice and a lot of seafood! I just threw Pael in there for the hec of it!
I thought this was a tee shirt when I first saw it. I’d love this bag even more if it was! Great for running errands and maybe even some light grocery shopping!
I’m styling a friend for his album cover. I’m thinking about this bowtie for his nautical and retro look. Please just don’t wear that when we go to dinner!
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Annatto or bixa is a seed from the annatto tree, indigenous to the Caribbean and Central America. It’s a spice we commonly use to color rice, meat dishes and sometimes even butter and does give a peppery taste. You will also find this spice used in the very popular branded Sazón seasoning packets by Goya. I sometimes use it as a substitute for saffron to make yellow rice. I seldom use it for my meats. In Latin countries the word is bijol or even achiote, though that has different properties I’ll address later. You can buy it in whole seeds and get the desired color by infusing in warm water or buy it in lose powder. Try it!
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