Trixie’s Back in the Kitchen!

…and with new recipes!

When one eye closes, opportunities remain open…

After losing the use of one eye as a result of routine cataract surgery gone horribly wrong, I recently had a successful corneal transplant. Having lost 50% of my eyesight, and then some, for “only” five months, I feel fortunate, grateful, and blessed that it was only five months. I am now on a fairly quick path to regaining my full vision. Yay!

Within days of my last surgery, I was back to writing recipes (I was unable to even look at a computer screen during the downtime), and got back into the kitchen in no time. It is the place of my healing and catharsis, and where I went most often during those five months to try to maintain some sense of normalcy. It’s what I know and what I do.

Now surging forward, I recently had the distinct pleasure and good fortune of meeting and hosting my cookbook photographer, the inimitable and extraordinary Iain Bagwell*, for the first time after communicating from afar, also for five months. While it was truly magical getting to know each other a little bit during his brief visit, I found myself with a huge mental facepalm after he’d gone: after serving up a few meals, I realized I’d forgotten to serve the fresh berries I’d purchased and prepared for breakfast right before he left. Duh.

So, what does one do with over 4 lbs of four varieties of fresh berries? Well, if you’re Trixie, you write a new recipe for Seedless Roseberry Preserves, and make them on the spot! No, there’s no actual thing as roseberry fruit, but I went for something different. Shocker.

My new roseberry preserves are fairly simple: I used the four types of berries I had on hand, offset the sugar with a little lime juice, grounded the mixture with a touch of vanilla, and added just enough rose water for a delicate “Mmmm.” The finished product was sublime, but distinct, and totally YUM!

I’m baaaacck!! And it looks like photo shoots for my book will be starting early next year! Color me grateful and so very excited!

*For some of the most seductive food porn (not to mention downright exceptional photographic talent), visit  https://www.bagwellandprotasio.com/. I’m still incredulous that Iain wants to work with me on my project, and can’t wait to see my work conveyed through his lens. But it speaks to what an incredible human he really is…and the nicest guy. Oops, I promised not to tell. Sorry, Iain!