About 25 years ago, I wrote a short essay for a friend’s small magazine about my relationship with cooking and recipes. Then, in my mid-50s, I was trying to find my way from relying on recipes, as my mother did, to thinking about the ingredients I had and what I could do with them on my own, as my aunt (my mother’s younger sister) did.
Finally, well into my 70s, I think I’ve finally made it. Today, I had a small piece of leftover
I only needed to get a potato and carrots at the supermarket. In the kitchen, I put the stock on and brought to a boil while I cut up the potato and peeled and cut up two carrots. Everything when into the boiling stock and cooked, while I cut up the chicken. The chicken went into the pot when the potato and carrots were softened, just to heat up. Done in less than 30 minutes—and 2-3 servings.
The only thing missing was a thyme sprig from the packet in the fridge. Next time!
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Yummy! Don't you love when things just come together in the kitchen?! I love how you included your intentions in the realm of cooking with hopes to cook without a recipe. I appreciated your reflective insight on how you have evolved as a cook throughout the years.
ReplyDeletethank you! It is great when it all works out and tastes delicious — and there's another meal left in the fridge as well, so I don't have to cook every day.
DeleteYour recipe sounds delicious. I've never had orzo in soup, but it sounds yummy! Love how you mentioned your change from following recipes like one family member to creating on your own like another family member.
ReplyDeleteOrzo is like fake rice. I've even tried a recipe that cooked orzo risotto-style — it gave the orzo a nutty flavor.
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