There’s nothing quite like walking outside and harvesting your dinner. My patio garden, affectionately named Garden Fresh, has been an absolute game-changer here in São Miguel. It’s a small space, but it’s packed with flavor, and I’m amazed at the bounty it’s producing.

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of fresh produce. I’m picking juicy, red strawberries every other day—they’re perfect for snacking right off the plant or tossing into a fresh salad. My green beans are also growing like crazy, so I’ve been enjoying them in all sorts of dishes.

My most recent triumph was a full crop of sweet red onions. The satisfaction of pulling them from the rich soil of São Miguel and seeing how big they got is just incredible. They have a subtle sweetness and a much more vibrant flavor than anything you can buy at the store.

This week, I’ve been creating some truly delicious meals. The first was a creamy green beans and rice dish, where the crispness of the beans really shines through. And for a lighter, sweeter meal, I made a fantastic strawberry salad, complete with fresh greens from the garden and those incredible, homegrown strawberries.

This journey from patio to plate has reminded me how simple, and rewarding, it can be to grow your own food. It’s not just about the food itself; it’s about the connection to what you’re eating and the joy of creating something from the ground up right here in São Miguel.

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Anthony “Tiger” Liu is an American expat and the operator of Golden Mermaid Villa and Longevity Habit retreat, where he shares a passion for the vibrant culture and nourishing lifestyle of São Miguel.