Summary

The website content discusses a philosophy of appreciating and utilizing food to its fullest, exemplified by a zero-waste kitchen approach and demonstrated through a vegetarian herb rice ball recipe.

Abstract

The article titled "Your Delicious Abundance" encourages readers to find joy and gratitude in the food they have, promoting mindfulness in the kitchen. The author shares a personal journey towards a zero-waste kitchen, detailing how they repurpose food scraps and leftovers into flavorful beverages and new dishes, such as herb rice balls. The piece emphasizes the importance of composting and the connection between the kitchen and the Earth, suggesting that this circular approach to food leads to greater abundance. A recipe for vegetarian herb rice balls is provided, along with a call to appreciate the simple pleasures in life and a nod to community contributions, such as a story shared by a friend and the support of a publication.

Opinions

The author values mindfulness and gratitude in relation to food, believing that these attitudes can lead to a deeper appreciation of life's gifts.
There is a strong belief in the benefits of a zero-waste kitchen, both for personal satisfaction and environmental impact.
The author expresses a dream to extend the zero-waste philosophy to a future tea shop, indicating a commitment to sustainability beyond the home.
Worms and composting are seen as integral to the cycle of food and waste, with worms being described as "ambassadors for the soil."
The author enjoys the creativity involved in using unexpected ingredients to create new recipes, viewing it as a joyful challenge.
There is an opinion that by creating a loving circle between the kitchen and the Earth, individuals can attract more abundance into their lives.
The author suggests that even small, unloved ingredients, like the heel of a bread loaf, have potential and should not be wasted.
A vegan alternative is proposed for the rice ball recipe, showing inclusivity and adaptability in cooking practices.
The article conveys a sense of community and sharing, as seen in the mention of a friend's food memory story and the acknowledgment of a publication that supports such works.

Your Delicious Abundance

How to appreciate the food you have

Image by Trista Signe Ainsworth. Rosemary and oregano rice balls with rosemary flowers.

“Find gratitude in the little things and your well of gratitude will never run dry.” ― Antonia Montoya

I am on a joyful journey to use more of the abundant gifts we have in our lives, especially in the kitchen. It is beautiful to become more mindful of the energy we circulate through food either to ourselves, our family and friends, or back to the Earth.

Image by Trista Signe Ainsworth. Freshly picked rosemary and oregano from our garden.

My dream is to create a zero-waste kitchen both at home and in a tea shop. I believe that when you practice what you want, it will appear in your life.

To test it out, every day for a while now, I am more aware of how we use our ingredients. For example, I toss any fruit scraps from breakfast into my water. By lunchtime, I have a lovely flavored beverage.

I also love to use any odd ingredients in the refrigerator or pantry to create something new. It is how this rice ball recipe came about.

Image by Trista Signe Ainsworth. Leftover rice and herbs from the garden create a delightful dish.

We always seem to have leftover rice and small bits of bread. I seem to be the only one who will eat the heel of a loaf. For that reason, I always save these unloved ingredients for new recipes.

It was fun to tinker with an appetizer recipe I found online and challenge myself to utilize what we already had.

Image by Trista Signe Ainsworth. Delicious herb rice balls.

Not only do I love not wasting food in our kitchen, I appreciate being able to gift the scraps back to the Earth to create more beauty in nature.

We have a worm tower and a rotating ball composter outside.

After cooking, I can take any leftover peelings, coffee grounds, or tea leaves and turn them into healthy soil.

Image by Trista Signe Ainsworth. Cooking scraps and weeds form a delicious salad for the worms in our worm tower. It is made with a buried PVC pipe with a lid on it.

Worms are amazing creatures, and I am always so grateful for them. When I planted a new blueberry bush, I saw some healthy worms. They are like ambassadors for the soil.

Image by Trista Signe Ainsworth. A ball composter made from recycled plastic. It is fun to roll around!

When we create a loving circle between our kitchen and the Earth, more abundance comes to us.

Today I want to share this delicious recipe with all of you. May you enjoy everything you have today. The joy of life is appreciating what is right in front of us.

Vegetarian Herb Rice Balls: Makes 10–14 Rice Balls

Image by Trista Signe Ainsworth. Black olives inside the delicious rice ball.

2 cups cooked rice (I used arborio rice)

2 eggs*

1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup leftover bread crumbs

Topping:

1/2 cup leftover bread crumbs

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary and oregano

Filling:

mozzarella cheese cubes

black olives

vegetable oil for frying

*For a vegan version, you may try using Just Eggs, a vegan egg substitute. 3 tablespoons equal one egg. I have not tested this version yet, but I feel it would work.

In a medium bowl, mix together the rice, eggs, breadcrumbs, herbs, and salt.
In a small bowl combine the topping of breadcrumbs, salt, and herbs.
To form each ball, scoop out two tablespoons of the rice mixture. Form a ball with your hands, then poke a hole in the middle to add a cube of mozzarella cheese or black olive pieces. It may not want to stick together, but once you add the breadcrumbs on the outside, it will form a more cohesive ball.
Roll each ball in the topping mixture.
Heat three to four inches of oil in a deeper pan on the stove. I love to use a wok for frying. Heat it to 350F.
In batches of 3–4 balls at a time, fry until golden brown.

Enjoy!

My wish for you today is for you to discover the treasures waiting for you in your kitchen. You never know what you can create!

Today I want to share a story about a food memory by my friend Ipshita Guha. She writes about a meal cooked on a family trip. Thank you, Ipshita, for sharing this loving story.

That Day in the Kitchen, We Didn’t Just Cook.

We Created Memories To Last Us This Lifetime

medium.com

Thank you, Amanda Laughtland for your wonderful publication, The DIY Diaries, for creating a space for our works of art in life.