Tuesday, January 28, 2014

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:-)







20 comments:

  1. Your meal descriptions look pretty fabulous to me. What's she eating?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Simple meals, pasta with tomato sauce, Campbells soup, salads,clementines, applesauce, sweet food, like her.

      Delete
  2. Maybe she's just shy and after you devour her almond croissant a bond will be established.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I hope so, she cooked a delicious lunch for both of us on Sunday!

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. A southern dish with black eyed peas and rice, usually served on January 1st to assure good luck for the New Year. I decided it didn't work so well for me last year so I'd change the day up!

      Delete
  4. Hopping John x 2 pray tell?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did tell and now I will do link up. All hail the kale!

      Delete
  5. Everything you cooked sounds delicious to me, and healthy, and I fully endorse your go-to basics. I love grains, but don't cook them much. Every time I have them at a restaurant I say, I love grains, I should cook them more. But I don't. Why? So many questions...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because it seems like a pain in the ass but it isn't and if you're lucky you have leftovers and can use them as the base for a great salad.

      i have many answers.....

      Delete
  6. So, Sunday's at the gym (mademoiselle sport) keep you so slim after all that food you're cooking? That's so unfair!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't forget Thursday zumba... and maybe a little more time at the gym. And Elle is coming to Zumba tomorrow, slowly but surely.....

      Delete
  7. I've read a bunch of your meals (and tried copying them, as you know). I find that your choices and likes are eclectic and diverse which makes it fun and interesting which I always feel makes us a bit kindred spirits, except yours a tad healthier. I think it's because she's a baker..and French. Hmmmm, cream and butter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And allergic to cinnamon I just found out.No wonder the delicious couscous was a non.

      Hmmm, there's baking this weekend. I believe I heard mention of a goat cheese quiche and a clementine cake.

      Am i dreaming?

      Delete
    2. Darn, there goes the middle eastern stuff, oh well. Goat cheese quiche huh, pay VERY close attention and then report back.

      Delete
  8. Hmmmmmmm. I'm saying nowt, as they say in the North East. Wait till she's grown up.

    You are an adventurous eater, and therefore the most rewarding sort of person to feed, and your diet sound healthily varied and balanced. Come and visit, and we can cook our beans and grains together!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ah, Hoppin John. Made it once from the recipe on the package of black eyed peas. Never made it again. Either I don't have a southern palate, or I don't have a good recipe.

    ReplyDelete