I didn’t grow up with a spatula in my hand or even really watching my mother cook for us. As a single mother with a full-time job at a high tech company, cooking was not something my mom looked forward to. If it could be cooked in half an hour with minimal effort, my brother, sister and I probably ate it back in the early 90s. As a result, we ate a lot of TV dinners, frozen foods (fish sticks and pigs in a blanket anyone??) and yes, even fast food.
So, I’m really not sure where my passion for food comes from. I really should be shopping at your regular ol’ grocery store instead of a specialty store like Whole Foods. I really should not give a damn about the well-being of this countries meat (or lack thereof). But, I do.
My family (bless their hearts) is not very sophisticated when it comes to food. My mom, brother and sister are pretty flexible when it comes to ingredients. To them, if it’s in a box, it’ll do! And it’s something that I love about them because it gives me plenty of ammunition when I start getting remarks about being “too picky”…
I, on the other hand am somewhat of a snob. Okay, a really big snob. I prefer the homemade route. Yeah, it takes time and more effort but that’s half the fun for me. Chopping vegetables is meditative. Making homemade chicken stock feels like an art project…
I grew up eating frozen foods so maybe this desire for the fresh stuff comes from wanting a little bit better now that I can choose for myself.
This year, I’m in charge of Christmas dinner and I’m giddy with excitement and anticipation. (more about the menu and our regular Christmas “dinner” in my next post…) I can’t think of a better way to show my family I love them then with a good, good meal.
And sorry Mom, but, frozen veggies are not getting an invite.
