For the Love of FOOD

What are your favorite types of foods?

Hard to choose…

I have a wide pallet. I love many different foods so to name favorites is going to challenge me.

Food is centering. Any event, any tradition, any custom or culture has a strong cuisine at its core. I personally relish this! How we eat, what we eat, how we prepare and serve our daily meals is one way to get to know ourselves and others. I love this question for all those reasons.

My favorite foods revolve around the season. I have always enjoyed food right from the garden. I’m inspired by the beautiful fruits and vegetables at a farmers market. This is how I cook. The other day we walked by a house with a box that said Free on it. A single perfect eggplant sat on the box. Immediately I thought: eggplant Parmesan! I dream of having a garden with so much bounty that I too can set out a box of perfection for free! (the other neighbors had left this one last item). I feel a little leap of happiness when I think of eating my version of this delicious dish. Even preparing it sounds fun to me.

The Autumn equinox is coming soon. With a hint of chill in the air, my mind turns to hearty soups and roasted root veggies. Slow roasting anything sounds wonderful. Apples and figs, squash, potatoes, hearty bolognese sauces, braised meat , carrots, onions, mushrooms, rich curries. Warm spices, hearty pies, ginger cookies. It’s time to celebrate the earth’s bounty and how better to celebrate than by feasting on delicious food!

Also chocolate. I LOVE chocolate. The richer the better. Just thinking about chocolate can change my mood. On this crisp cool day my crusty warm buttery chocolate bread pudding would be perfect. We usually save this dessert for a special occasion because it is special. Only the best brioche, butter and chocolate . Only the freshest eggs and cream will do. It’s simple to prepare. I always take one of the kids to help gather all the ingredients. I feel that you are never too young to debate which chocolate is superior. I wish for an occasion and a handful of people who LOVE chocolate and will throughly appreciate the delectable deliciousness of this warm from the oven, buttery, crunchy, gooey delight. A quality vanilla ice cream pairs nicely.

I guess my favorite foods are the ones that I’m feeling in the moment. On a hot summers day, I will devour a crisp salad, but today a cheesy frittata baked in a cast iron pan sounds heavenly.