In a world filled with fast food and pre-packaged snacks, making guacamole from scratch is a simple yet rewarding experience. It connects you to the ingredients, to the cooking process, and to the joy of creating something delicious to share with others. So, next time you have a craving for guacamole, take the time to make it yourself. The joy of guacamole making is truly a special experience that will leave you feeling fulfilled and satisfied.

There is a certain joy that comes with the act of making guacamole. It's not just about the end result of having a delicious dip to enjoy with chips or veggies but about the process itself. From selecting the perfect avocados, the stars of the show, to the carefully chopping of fresh ingredients, every step in making guacamole brings a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

It all starts with choosing the ripest avocados at the grocery store. You want them to be slightly soft to the touch but not mushy. 

Next comes the prep work - chopping up onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapenos. The colors and aromas of the fresh ingredients fill the air, inviting you to take your time and enjoy the process. Each chop of the knife brings a sense of rhythmic satisfaction as the ingredients come together to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Then, it's time to mash the avocados. Some prefer a chunky guacamole, while others like it smooth. Either way, the act of mashing the creamy avocados is almost therapeutic. Adding in the chopped ingredients and a squeeze of fresh lime juice only enhances the sensory experience.

And here comes the pinch of yum. If you want a smoky taste, grill the vegetables on open fire...

And now, the moment of truth - tasting the guacamole. The first bite is always the most satisfying, as the flavors burst on your taste buds. The creamy avocado, the tangy lime, the heat from the jalapenos - it all comes together in a perfect harmony of taste and texture. The joy of making guacamole is not just in the delicious end result but in the journey of creating something with your own hands.

 A couple of  months ago I returned from another wonderful visit to Greece. Beautiful Mykonos again.  I couldn't wait to go back to that small Gyro place that I went to last time. I craved that Gyro!  On our way there I could barely contain my excitement. My mouth waters, and my heart beat faster. I was staring at Alesandro as he was preparing it, and when he poured that tzatziki sauce on top I almost grabbed it from him. We sat on the blue and white steps and indulged in every bite.

Yummy. I had one every day of my visit....

When I returned to LA, I went to a local Greek restaurant to continue my Gyro feast, but it wasn't even close to being the same... SO... I made one, and photographed it! And when I turned my back to pick up the phone, Lenny, my daughter's dog was on it...scarfed it down....

Brooklyn. In a different lifetime. I was only 21 when I got married, and was led down the dark wooden stairs of the basement, to learn how to cook from my mother-in-law, Yaffa. I actually knew how to cook, but not This kind of food...

The Jewish New Year was just around the corner, Rosh Hashanah, and a honey cake is one of the traditional foods, symbolizing the wish for an upcoming sweet year. We were both in our aprons, cooking in her large kitchen, when Yaffa turned and looked at me with her big blue eyes and a secretive smile, and whispered in her heavy Yiddish accent: "I am now going to teach you how to make our honey cake! This is a secret recipe, passed from mother to daughter  for generations; and now you will know it too...But don't give out the recipe to anyone except your daughter..."  I felt privileged, and promised her that no stranger will ever see this recipe.

I watched Yaffa for about an hour measuring the ingredients, and going through the process of making that cake, and it was a process. A long one. Finally the cake was in the oven, and I helped her clean up.

The first bite was magical: I closed my eyes indulging in the incredible flavor and texture. I have never seen nor tasted such a honey cake. Tall, light, fluffy and moist with a perfect sweetness of honey. Each bite tasted like More.

Poor Yaffa passed away years ago, but every year since that day, before the High Holidays, I pull out the crumbled yellowish paper with her hand written recipe, and remember that day with her, while I am baking the secret mythological honey cake.

No one other than my daughter has ever seen this recipe. 

In a small shop, downtown Los Angeles,  behind the vending machine, I found Fabian. An artist. A fruit carving artist. I needed some fruits carved for a project, and he was more than happy to help. The shop was sparkling clean, and he greeted me with a big warm smile. I didn't know what to expect, "Just use your imagination!" - I said. "Okay" he answered with a calm confident smiled, and thanked me.   

Thirty minutes later, I returned to the shop and my jaw dropped. A fantasy garden of flowers made of fruits bloomed right there in front of my eyes. Cantelope, apples, mango and watermelon morphed into gorgeous colorful flowers!  

"You are such a fantastic, talented artist, Fabian! A hidden gem!"  With a humble smile he thanked me again.

If you are in Los Angeles, and need fruit or vegetable carving, go downtown to Fabian. He will make your special occasion bloom.

His company name is "Sweet 10tations", phone number (213)608-5620.