In
Favor of Flavor
What is the speedy alternative to peeling a carrot
for your snack? Bland, woody, pre-peeled baby carrots?
An energy bar? The adjective “woody” springs to mind again.
To feeling satisfied and nourished by food, flavor is
everything. Texture is everything. In our desire for the
quick and easy, we have learned to do without pleasure.
Think about a fresh, sweet, crunchy carrot. You could
have one in just 20 seconds.
The Joy
of Cooking
Cooking is a playful, sensual joy. It is an indulgence,
not a chore. Just making a salad arouses all the senses.
Lettuce leaves feel soft yet crisp in my hands. The pungent,
warm smell of garlic hypnotizes me as I chop. I hear the
rhythmic sound of the pepper grinder. I admire the deep
green of the salad in my brown bowl. The flavor is the
culmination of all those good things.
Making dinner after a hard day calms and relaxes me.
My husband and daughter move in and out of the kitchen,
finishing homework, making phone calls, and setting the
table, as they soak in the good smells and anticipate
the dinner to come. Eating together is a thrill; we talk
and laugh, enjoy our food and giggle about the burned
potatoes. Cooking at home preserves family recipes and
culture and passes them on to our daughter. Cooking gives
me a feeling of confidence and self-reliance that comes
from the satisfaction of nourishing a family.
Make a Mess
Peanut butter is now sold presliced. You just slap
it on bread like American cheese. The manufacturers say
“Kids can make their own peanut butter sandwiches without
making a mess.” Hey! I am shouting again. What about getting
a big glob of peanut butter on your knife, spreading it
on thick, and sticking your finger in for a taste? Life
is messy. Cooking is messy. Peanut butter is messy. Let's
keep it that way.
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