Change in seasons November 18, 2008
Posted by vmacandcheese in Food, Just thinking..., Mediterranean, Other meat (beef, lamb, et al), Recipes, Soups, Squash.comments closed
Apologies for the light posting over the last two weeks. They’ve been weird ones.
I’m not really in a position to say much else than I find myself in a very transitional phase right now. We’ve all gone through those periods where we were happy, but still uncomfortably aware of the uncertainty in our lives (that, in reality, was with us all along). My mind has been more preoccupied with figuring some things out than it has been with interesting food tidbits and writing short stories — though, to be sure, I’m as addicted as ever to the food blogs and have been eating quite well at home. Worry not…I’ll never lose my interest in good eats.
I spent this last weekend in the company of good friends, as a large group of college companions made their way up to the Bay Area for the annual “Weekender,” in which our alma mater plays either Stanford or Berkeley. It was nice spending time with good people, and reminding myself that at this age, at this moment in our lives — mid-20somethings nearly 3 years out of school — that uncertainty is more than okay: it’s completely expected. I have a terrible habit of worrying, and an even worse habit of trying to have all the answers, all the time. It’s nice to be grounded by other people and remember that I’m doing okay.
That, and soup always helps. Here are two more fantabulous soup recipes I created in the last week. Can you tell I’ve been needing warm, soul-soothing comfort food? (more…)
A sign of the times November 7, 2008
Posted by vmacandcheese in Food, Main Courses, Mama, Recipes, Sauces, Squash, The pig.comments closed
In an effort to save what little money I have and get back in the kitchen, I’ve been cooking at home a lot lately. Sometimes my relationship with cooking goes through weird phases; make no mistake, I always love to eat, but there will be times — days, or even weeks — where I just can’t muster up the energy to get in the kitchen and make something spectacular. This is when we end up eating a lot of salads, pasta, crudites and sandwiches from the deli down the street. Eventually, there is a house revolt and I’m forced to make margaritas and Mexican food for a certain someone.
But earlier this week, even before the enchiladas and our new president (!), I made a meal completely evocative of fall, and of my childhood: grilled pork chops with mustard sauce and roasted acorn squash. My mother used to make that exact dinner when I was a kid, except her approach was a bit more minimalist. She liked thinner cut shoulder chops, and would broil them with nothing more than a bit of salt and pepper. The squash was cooked in the microwave.
I told her about this dinner a few nights ago, during one of our bi-weekly chats. “Hmm,” she said greedily, thinking over the components of the meal in her mind, “I sure wish I could’ve been there.”
Me too, mama.
For the chops: (more…)
