For the Love of Food

"Sometimes she would cry for no reason at all, like when Nacha chopped onions, but since they both knew the cause of those tears, they didn't pay them much mind. They made them a source of entertainment, so that during her childhood Tita didn't distinguish between tears of laughter and tears of sorrow. For her laughing was a form of crying." p. 7, Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

I love this picture of Avery with a piece of onion on her head. I don't know where I read this onion-tear-preventative tip, but Avery insists on donning a piece of the onion I'm chopping when she is in the kitchen. I've tried all the tips to vanquish onion tears, but I have now started to embrace this natural cleansing process. Perhaps there is a good reason for shedding these tears. When making salsa, I just make sure to cut the onions before the jalapeno, so I can wipe the tears away without burning my eyes.

I love talking, reading and writing about food, but I am certainly not a foodie. I believe in comfort food and recipes with a few fresh ingredients. Almost all good dishes start with sauteed onions and garlic. I can't tell you how many times George has said, "Wow, what are you making?" The answer, almost always, is onions and garlic sauteed in olive oil.

I love that Avery is getting in on the action in the kitchen. The other day she pulled out the Betty Crocker Cookbook (my kitchen Bible), found the recipe for chocolate chip cookies, and started measuring and mixing. I asked her if she wanted the hand mixer, but she declined. She wanted to mix the cookies "the old-fashioned way" because it was fun and quiet. Last night, she discovered the joy of using the waffle iron.

I love cooking food for my friends and family. For special occasions I've given my father-in-law roasted asparagus and my mother-in-law tubs of cooked pinto beans to freeze for later (the woman loves my beans!). Having a bad day? Come on over and I'll make you lunch and pour you a pint. Of course, cooking with friends and family is even better. Sometimes they help do the dishes.

I love books and movies about food. I love the idea of communicating through food. Read: Like Water For Chocolate and La Cucina. Watch: Babette's Feast, Mostly Martha and Like Water For Chocolate. I have recently discovered the joy of food blogs. Two Blogs of Note this week are food blogs: Tartlette and Desert Candy. I can't wait to make Nutella Ravioli. My bosom buddy in the Blue Yonder blogged about homemade mint ice cream this week. I made it, we ate it, we loved it.

Why the blog about food? It is too hot in the kitchen so I got out, but I am missing my usual kitchen routine. Yesterday, I made baked potatoes in the crock pot outside. I ate ginger-lemon-melon sorbet for dinner. Tonight, pizza on the barbecue. The dishes are piling up, but it is too hot to wash them. I am starting to dream about soup and warm bread weather. Summer is the perfect time to explore my new food interest: raw food. Today you will find me under the ceiling fan munching on carrots, cucumbers, squash and peaches and reading my latest food book: My Year of Meats. Perfect reading for my meatless summer.