This is Mama Miche, and today, in my magic kitchen: Presto Pesto!

Pesto is easy. Like so easy. Anyone can do it! Like Chef Gusteau says in Ratatouille, "Anyone can cook!" That's not to say anyone can be a great gourmet chef. Not everyone has the magic touch of even the best home chefs. TLC is an ingredient. Period. Full stop if you don't get it, you don't get it, and your meals will always lack something. In cooking, you do need more than love, but it is what takes it over the top. Some skills are involved, but they develop over time with practice.

This is Mama Miche and today in My Magic Kitchen: Butter Chicken

To look at me, you would not know that I was born in Southeast Asia because my parents are not Asian, they’re of Eastern European and German descent. You also might not think I look Eastern European or German unless you know that I’m Jewish. Most people thought I was Italian growing up and I would often respond when they would ask, “Are you Italian?” I would reply, “ No, I’m not Italian I just play one on TV.” And we would laugh.

Growing up, my mom cooked so many different types of ethnic foods, but she never forayed into Indian food. I only ever ate Indian food in restaurants, but I grew up in NYC and if you know, you know, authentic Indian food, you needed to look no further than 6th St., NYC. The New York City area is home to the largest Indian American population of any metropolitan area in the country. In Manhattan, the neighborhoods of Rose Hill and Murray Hill between 25th and 30th Street have become known as Curry HIll, due to the growing Indian food scene. And closer to where I grew up and where I went to high school, Jackson Heights, has a large population from India as well as many great Indian restaurants.

My mom enjoyed cooking and entertaining guests, so clearly the apple didn’t fall far. We had a friend who owned Uncle King’s, a Chinese restaurant on Roosevelt Avenue and he would come to our apt. on days off and teach us how to cook authentic Chinese food. I don’t remember specifics other than whatever we made was delicious. This fried rice is also delicious. I encourage you to make it your own with your veggie choices, if you add meat or keep it plant based. It’s a great refrigerator cleaner outer.

Who knew that adulting meant figuring out what to eat every single day?!? If you’re a parent or caregiver responsible for meal planning and cooking for a family as well as working full-time, you know it’s not always easy to put a healthy meal on the table. Or is it?

Well, sheet! Yes, sheeeeet. Sheet pans covered in foil for easy clean up and your choice of a protein and veggies to roast is the easy answer. So many different options and they’re all delicious and easy and healthy! All you need to add is olive or avocado oil and seasoning! You already know, our Twice Stolen Spice™ is what we use. You can serve it up as is or with a sauce, a side… even noodle salad.

This is Mama Miche and today in My Magic Kitchen: Chicken with Spinach Artichoke Cream Sauce.

I’m gonna share something about my hubster today. He has always claimed that he is not a great writer, but my hubs can write. You should hear the wedding vows he wrote. He’s also a great editor, too. Helps me immeasurably with my own writing.

And he’s funny, and witty, and can turn a phrase. One of my favorites is what he says after I create a new recipe. “Hey hon, did you pull this one outta your ass?” Always fun to hear anything about food and asses in the same sentence. AM I RIGHT??? Anyhoo, this delicious and easy recipe for a quick weeknight meal or a dinner party, is one that came out of my ass. My hubster and kids all love it. It is a great chicken dish and full of flavor.

This is Mama Miche and today in My Magic Kitchen - Sausage and Peppers

Food glorious food! I really love eating. Who doesn’t love good food? I learned my kitchen skills from many teachers. My Momster of blessed memory, of course; cookbooks and the internet have been quite informative, too. An ex-boyfriend, I lived with briefly in Nashville, was a chef and I learned beaucoup from him - especially about presentation. As a singer/songwriter living in Nashville, I worked in bars, restaurants, and catering companies to pay the rent. And I mean 5-star establishments to dive bars and everything in between. There was something to learn in every environment.

Life is best lived like a sponge, soaking up knowledge. I’ve learned you occasionally have to wring that sponge out to get rid of the dirt and grime that come along with that quest. Every situation is a learning opportunity, especially the painful ones, am I right? I know I’m not the only one that looks back on their lives and says, “Oh! So that’s why I went through that mess to learn X, Y, or Z.”

Between the lifestyle choices I made in my youth, various traumas, and good ol’ genetics, I’m dealing with a myriad of health challenges in middle age. So I’ve made changes in every room in my life, including the kitchen. I have changed many recipes I grew up with in order to be able to still enjoy them without causing inflammation, pain, and gastrointestinal issues. I try to use whole foods and fresh herbs and spices that are healing.