My pottery is now at three venues: South Water Manor, Vinterest in Nashville, and the Old Hickory Social and Market Place. I am using more earth tones in my latest pottery pieces.. My favorite group is the oil and vinegar bottles. These unique pieces would make a great gift for your mother for Mother’s Day and are for sale at my Ravin Pottery booth at South Water Manor in Gallatin. Besides the oil and vinegar bottles, there is a batter bowl, a blue yarn bowl, a blue ring holder, a planter, several bird feeders, a key holder,a vase or utensil holder, and a microwave bacon cooker. The pink mug is made especially light for those who have arthritis or other issues where lifting a heavy mug is a challenge. The hat has a ceramic horse decoration.

Lumpia Recipe

My sister-in-law and cousin- in-law are both from the Philippines and introduced me to this Filipino dish.The recipe is similar to an egg roll, but made with pork and vegetables. It is not necessarily an easy recipe to make, but definitely a hit at group gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion minced
• 2 gloves garlic minced
• 1 medium carrot minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
• 1 lb ground pork
• 12 oz water chestnuts, 1 can minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1/4 cup green onion, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced
• 1 1/2 cups canola oil for frying
• 25 lumpia wrappers, or spring roll wrappers
• 1 egg, beaten
• sweet chili sauce, for serving

Preparation

1. Make the filling. Heat the 1 tablespoon oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat
2. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, and carrot. Cook for 4 minutes, or until the onion is slightly transparent.
3. Add the ground pork and cook for about 6 minutes, or until cooked through.
4. Add the water chestnuts, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Stir for 2 minutes, then mix the green onion and cilantro. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool.
5. Heat about an inch of canola in a deep, medium frying pan until it reached 300 degrees. ( My husband used a deep fryer to control the temperature more).
6. Lay out one lumpia wrapper in a diamond shape and spoon 2 tbs of filling at the bottom of the wrapper, leaving about an inch and a half of space from the bottom point. (It is a good idea to watch a YouTube video on the wrapping process.)
7. Fold the bottom point over the filling, then fold in the edges to create an envelope shape. Roll the wrapper toward the top point. Brush the top point with egg wash and finish the roll to seal the end.
8. Carefully place four to five lumpia in the hot oil. Frying each side for 1 minute, or until golden brown.
9. If you use a deep fryer, you ease them into the basket and lower into the oil. Remove the lumpia from the oil and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
10. Sprinkle with a garnish of cilantro and serve with sweet chili dipping sauce.

Recent Paintings

Here are some of my recent watercolor paintings. Many of the paintings were taught in a class I teach at the Hendersonville Senior Citizen Center two days a month. My students are amazing.