Cooking Became Easier and More Fun When...

I love the idea of folks sharing their stories of when cooking clicked for them. I can't wait to read what everyone has to say. For me this happened when I was just out of college, living on my own on a small island in Northwestern Washington. I had never before thought about food, where it really came from and the amazing flavors of fresh grown vegetables. I was a single 22 year old living in a community of mostly retirees and young families, outside of my work there was little social life for me up there. I eventually came to befriend a wonderful woman who had an amazing kitchen garden, and ability to make meals from this and that she had harvested that day. These fresh herbs and veggies were often paired with fish caught by her fisherman husband who was often out at sea. Up to that point in my life I had never enjoyed seafood that wasn't heavily breaded or slathered in tarter sauce, nor had it ever occurred to me that herbs and spices did not originate in little jars in the grocery isle. The first time she had me over, I was sent to pick some broccoli from her garden while she poached a bit of halibut. We worked side by side in her farmhouse kitchen preparing a fresh and simple but delicious meal for ourselves. After that I went straight back to my little beach studio and planted myself some basil and cilantro out on my front deck. I spent the summer snipping bits to add to my meals and ate in total satisfaction that I had actually grown some part of my food. In my year of living on that little island I was introduced to farm stands, co-op markets and the delicious tastes of fresh picked fruits and vegetables. My friend often gifted me with freshly canned tuna or berries she had picked (I was a starving VISTA Volunteer, free food was always welcomed), along with advice how how to prepare them to most enjoy their flavors. I will always remember this friend, and the way she unknowingly started me on the path of growing food for myself and my family, learning to appreciate and cook with what is fresh and in season, enjoying of all sorts of grains, soaking beans, baking my own bread and preserving the amazing flavors of summer fruit. These are the things that make cooking most enjoyable for me, along with the joy of trying new things in the kitchen and especially doing it in good company.

Peaches...

Last summer we were blessed with the delivery of a couple boxes of what I believe to be the world's best peaches ever. They came from a farm stand somewhere east of the mountains, a stand discovered by my aunt and uncle. We gorged ourselves eating them day and night, baking them into yummy crisps and cobblers and turning a good number into jam. This summer we again received a box of these beauties. Again the gorging continued, some were gifted to those most special in our lives (yes these babies are so precious that they are destined for only a small number of receivers), a few were made into a crisp shared with friends after a day of fun playing on a local river, the rest have been frozen to be savored later. This summer instead of canning/jamming the bounty of delicious fruits I have been freezing as much as our limited freezer space will allow. We have several quarts of blueberries scored from our favorite farm stand. The drive is long but knowing what awaits makes it worth it every time. And now I will have a few quarts of these peaches as well. I really never knew how much I loved peaches until last summer, with the first delivery of these little bits of heaven on earth. I have talked with a few folks about how there is really nothing like a farm fresh peach, those bought in the store never compare, even dare I say those from my favorite little local coop. I am left wishing that I had requested another box, I didn't want to be greedy at the time but am going to remember next summer to take as many as my lovely aunt and uncle can haul back for us. I will be sure to have adequate space in my freezer for freezing quart after quart of all the summer fruits we can lay our hands on. Then come winter when we are enjoying crisps and cobblers we will think back on our summer days.

Fast Forward

I took a long break and am now back, inspired by Molly Wizenberg's book A Homemade Life and the Gluten Free Girl's blog. I am so happy that summer is feeling so close and am excited to spend much time in my favorite room of the house with my children, exploring and getting creative in the kitchen.

I love the way A Homemade Life is written in chapters, each sharing a story of the author's life and the foods attached with those moments and memories. The bonus is that each chapter ends with a recipe or two for said foods. I have already tried many of the recipes with one of my favorites, so far, being the braised cabbage. I have never really consumed much cabbage other than in coleslaw, mixed into a salad or pickeled as sour kraut. But braising it has hooked me on the beauty of this under-appreciated vegetable. It was melt in my mouth, never to be forgotten and absolutely incredible. I was home alone for the night and took it as the perfect opportunity to try out something I wasn't sure the entire family would appreciate. I will remember that night always, me and some smooth jazz on the radio, enjoying every bite of the entire head of braised cabbage along with some muenster cheese on a baguette and a nice glass of wine.

I also did a special "cleansing" diet for three weeks this spring, which forced some fun and creative meals. My hands down favorite has been Salmon with fire roasted tomatoes and artichoke hearts. I am also very excited about trying some gluten free baking. After 3 weeks of no wheat, dairy, soy, caffeine, alcohol, nuts and sugar I am amazed how affected I have been by food. Now that I have been off of the "cleanse" I can feel the before and after difference of eating a really clean diet. I did miss being able to have a bit of cheese or baking something yummy and sitting down with it and a nice cuppa Moka Joe's coffee. I have been doing some reading about gluten intolerances and celiac and am really thinking I would like to get tested. I can relate to the fatigue and stiff/achy body. At one point I was terrified by the prospect of no bread, baked goods, pastas etc... Now I see all the possibilities out there and look at this as an opportunity for a whole new world of baking creativity.

I have also realized how social food and eating is for me and my family, I was aching to have friends over for a long slow meal around our old dining table. I also missed my weekly lunch dates with MM (not many options for eating out). I definitely felt a bit isolated and alone with this new way of eating, a bit on the fringe when out with family and not able to fully participate in the meal with them. It has also opened my eyes to the creative opportunity presented when cooking for someone with food sensitivities or preferences. I was a strict vegetarian for many years and felt the discomfort of being "different" than other dinner guests or having my portion "set aside" before the meat was added. I hope that I would shake that mind frame and look at a friend or family member's needs as a chance to get creative and offer a meal that is inclusive for all.

A Winter Wonderland

This is the view from my back door off my kitchen today.  A beautiful winter scene.  I walked in and out of the kitchen so many times today, mostly to enjoy this view, but also to snack on the gingerbread that was still warm from the oven.  We had the rare treat of a snow day that we all were able to enjoy from home, no work and no school, lots of sledding, tea, cocoa and of corse gingerbread.

Quiet in the House

Just a quick note of thanks for this moment of quiet I am living in.  MM is out for the evening, S and G are off playing together in their room while I sit in the kitchen alone.  The dishes are in the washer humming away, the lights are soft, though it is so dark outside, and I am ready to put on water for tea then get the wee ones to bed and cozy up.  Good evening all!

A Room with a View

I just returned home from a beautiful walk with a friend, and am now looking out my kitchen windows to the most magnificent sunny fall day. What is making the scene just right, is the lack of leaves that were blanketing our yard Friday afternoon as I left for a weekend away with friends. Apparently Music Man got inspired, recruited the help of Guru and Sunshine, and together they all raked, blew leaves and cleaned up the entire yard. It looks fabulous now, especially on the wonderful fall day we are having. We are blessed with an exceptionally large lot of land surrounded by trees which translates into lots and lots of leaves every fall. Until the next wind blows though, things are looking beautiful out there!!!

I was away this weekend with an incredible group of women to celebrate with a friend who is about to get married. The time was spent knitting, reading, sharing amazing meals together, playing games and most importantly sharing our thoughts and dreams with her on her upcoming marriage. This is the second such weekend I have been blessed to experience, both of which have come for me after nearly 14 years of marriage, both of which taught me more about what it means to share a life with someone than I had figured out on my own in those 14 years. There is something so inspiring for me about being with women who are living life with purpose, passion and a commitment to their communities. I am honored to walk among them.

Music Man

The other night I was treated to a bit of live music while preparing dinner. Guru and Sunshine were off doing their own thing when in wandered my Music Man with his guitar. I chopped, peeled and sauteed while being treated to a private play list of some of his all time favorite music. I was kind of disappointed when dinner was ready to be served, it was such a treat in that moment. Such a quiet shared moment is a rare commodity in this household.