Cherishing Family Time

As an adult, I look back at my relationship with my parents and I am grateful for the amazing role models that I had. However, I am surprised when it's the day-to-day habits and routines that trigger my memory of them. For example, eating dinner together was non-negotiable in my family and I find myself wanting that for my own growing family. Every December, family and friends dedicated an entire day to making mochi, Japanese rice cakes, to have for New Year's. To this day, when I work at the Johnson County Fair, it reminds me of my annual trips to the LA County Fair with my family and sharing a turkey leg as a child.

Take a minute to think: What family traditions or routines do you have in your family that your kids will remember 20, 30, or 40 years down the line?

Most recently, I was eating gyoza, Japanese dumplings, when I was flooded with memories of me, my brother, my sister, and my mom gathering around the kitchen table and making dumplings for dinner with Dad. The experience helped develop my cultural identity while strengthening our family ties. If you are willing to try something new, I encourage you and your little one to try this fun recipe together from JustOneCookbook: https://www.justonecookbook.com/gyoza/. Making meals together with your family is a fun and delicious way to make memories and learn by doing.

After making the filling, fill the wrapper with a small amount of filling. A small amount goes a long way!

Pleating takes practice. Your first few might not look pretty but it will still taste delicious!

Can you tell which gyozas were my first ones of the batch? #PracticeMakesPerfect