Across The Great Divide

Until this past week I haven't given what I eat much thought.

Well of course I think about what I'm going to cook, as in hmm, that butternut squash has been here for a while now, what am I going to do with it?

Or someone tells me what they had for dinner last night and I'm immediately inspired to make it too.

And please don't even mention pizza to me because I want some right now..

My food is influenced by many countries and many parts of this country.

It almost always starts with a base of onions and garlic, usually something spicy, Thai chili peppers, jalapenos, dried anchos, recently chipolte peppers in adobo sauce.

Then there are herbs and spices, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cumin always cumin, smoked paprika is a recent favorite, freshly ground pepper, moderate amounts of salt, a few crushed red pepper flakes.

There is a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime, a handful of herbs, maybe some toasted pine nuts.

I'm in the grain groove. Farro, love my bulgar, nutty brown rice, toasted quinoa, all are welcome  here.

Oh and beans, dried or canned, beans are always a highlight.

Not too much animal protein, but eggs and cheese make weekly appearances.

None of this seems unusual to me or maybe to you.

But when I'm suddenly living with a womanchild from France my eating habits seem downright eccentric.

Since Elle has appeared I've made Hoppin' John, ( an aside, I make up my own recipe but his is pretty damn close and his prose makes mine seem seem to be written by Shakespeare) roasted beets served a variety of ways,including a  salad with ruby grapefruit, avocado and goat cheese.

I've had whole wheat tortillas filled with kale and hot pepper cheese, chicken tortilla soup and couscous with butternut squash and garbanzo beans stew.

I always offer, she always looks and says no thank you.

Except the soup, who says no to chicken tortilla soup except a vegetarian?

I feel like a caricature of an American, especially when I dash off to the gym on a Sunday.

In the eyes of a Frenchwoman I'm "sporty". And f you know me just a little bit this is not a word that springs to mind.

But  vive la difference as Gus would say.

And I look forward to this weekends' promised baking.

(after all I can always work it off at the gym!)

 

P.S, totally not trying to sound snarky here, just wondering if I'm a product of too many blog food trends:-)