Ethiopian food...i remember my first time in brixton london. Such an unimposing looking place but the meal! Loved it and in particular the fact you had a dish that was some pancake with delicious toppings and you and the person opposite you on the table ate your way to the middle. Being in florence working on a eu funded project and being taken to off beat known to residents places and dining in generous peoples homes...seeing how real italians dine.
Mary- The lemon one might be something I need to try soon. I appreciate this reminder to go to TJ and sample a few things out of the regular rotation! 🙌🏼
With my taking over the cooking in the house I am much more aware of our meals - quantity, quality, cost, nutritional value, etc. Because of my increased involvement in planning and preparing meals I want to do things with food that are creative but nutritious, good quality but cost-conscious, meeting my physical needs without going to excess, and always aware of those on this planet that do not have nearly the opulence that I enjoy relative to food. The Gaza, Sudan, Bangladesh, Ukraine, and other situations make me feel so aware and wish I could invite these folks into my home frequently to stave off their starvation. I am blessed by at least five very good food stores plus two excellent farmers mkts within just a couple of miles of my home. It is a constant balancing act between wants and needs after I take into consideration all these extraneous factors.
Many of my favorite meals in life were at holidays with family while growing up. The food was sumptuous, but it was the fellowship that made the difference. One additional custom in my house was eating lunch following worship several Sundays a year with a guest preacher at the table. My dad was the regular preacher and was preaching somewhere else on occasion. My mother somehow put together a most tasty repast in additional to printing the bulletin, teaching Sunday School, providing appropriate clothing for a family of six, cleaning the house, etc. Took it all for granted then but now in my old age I realize what a saint she was.
Jim, your mom did a lot of juggling! It’s fun that you’re the cook at your house now. As you say, a lot of thought and care goes into even simple meals!
First day in Sydney, Australia. At a posh well rated restaurant sipping on something when I see a whole lobster pass moving. It is placed on a couples table, out comes a butcher knife - WHACK! The head is carried by me just prior to my giant prawns being delivered with heads. I did not eat at that meal. My young American palate was tender with little variety. I will never forget that “meal.”
Memorable: When I became a pastor in AL, we were renting. After being called to my second church, I was a 3rd career pastor, we decided we would stay at least 5 years. So we started praying for a house that would help us to bloom where we planted. And oh boy did we. We discovered shortly after arrival that our congregation was made up of little silos. Individuals or couples that had no extended family. And subsequently, no place to go for the holidays. So every Thanksgiving and Easter we open our home. Biggest count was 27; for a sit down dinner! We put tables wherever we could fit them! For almost 7 years now we have been doing this. Everyone brings their favorite holiday food to share. The joy shared around the tables, where they feel like they have come home, is worth all the effort. So ...yeah. p.s. Mary, if you love all things apple AND donuts, try Trader Joe's apple cider donuts...oh my!
1967, college overseas program in Germany, on our way from home stay in Hamburg to academic stay in Munich, we had four days in (mostly west) Berlin. We took a bus trip to the imperial hunting “cottage” in Potsdam, where I had venison ragout for lunch. In my memory it’s unmatchable. During the home stay, my mother made Hungarian goulash from a Dr. Oetker spice mix. It was my favorite comfort food. But never again will I choose her Himmel und Erde, a mix of apples, potatoes, and blood sausage. Nor do I have fond memories of my mother’s deep-dish pizza made with Bisquik and hamburger. Nor her canned asparagus or Harvard beets.
I grew up in Michigan the daughter of a Texan and Arizonian. I am unable to process any kind of sugar, but have no issues with gluten or dairy products. So I don't eat dessert. Tacos, enchiladas, tostadas were regular items on our menu. We ate spaghetti with home made sauce. Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, fried chicken and mashed potatoes. I thought everybody ate cheese on cauliflower and white sauce with blue cheese on broccoli. Occasionally we celebrated around a Japanese Teppanyaki table, several Mexican restaurants or a steak restaurant. Birthdays tended to be special and the choice of the celebrator. Joining my husband's family for Thanksgiving was truly a joyful experience. Good food and fun.
times. Macaroni and cheese of all kinds are probably my favorite food. Hard to avoid salty snack foods. I'm grateful for all the food available to our family. We never lacked for all kinds and varieties of good quality food.
I love Ethiopian food! Did you ever try "Blue Nile" when you lived in the area? Also, do you like dim sum? I've never had tapas, but I hear it's the Spanish equivalent of Asian dim sum. You are right, we are very fortunate to be able to have tried so many different cuisines in life. Also, I am very fortunate to never have heard the term "food insecure" before. Very precise and apt term. Thank you for it.
I like the Blue Nile a lot! I do like dim sum…which also makes me think of the sushi restaurants with the conveyor belts, where you snag your own small plates as they go by. Dim sum is classier!
Mary- I can relate with this sentence: “Ramen noodles. I have hit my lifetime allotment.” Unfortunate. But perhaps better for my overall health?
Yes! Although now that fancy ramen bowls are in style, I might have to reconsider.
Its size doesn’t always help either.
Ethiopian food...i remember my first time in brixton london. Such an unimposing looking place but the meal! Loved it and in particular the fact you had a dish that was some pancake with delicious toppings and you and the person opposite you on the table ate your way to the middle. Being in florence working on a eu funded project and being taken to off beat known to residents places and dining in generous peoples homes...seeing how real italians dine.
Mmm…yum to both!
Mary- The lemon one might be something I need to try soon. I appreciate this reminder to go to TJ and sample a few things out of the regular rotation! 🙌🏼
It’s always a treat to go there! Let me know what you end up getting.
With my taking over the cooking in the house I am much more aware of our meals - quantity, quality, cost, nutritional value, etc. Because of my increased involvement in planning and preparing meals I want to do things with food that are creative but nutritious, good quality but cost-conscious, meeting my physical needs without going to excess, and always aware of those on this planet that do not have nearly the opulence that I enjoy relative to food. The Gaza, Sudan, Bangladesh, Ukraine, and other situations make me feel so aware and wish I could invite these folks into my home frequently to stave off their starvation. I am blessed by at least five very good food stores plus two excellent farmers mkts within just a couple of miles of my home. It is a constant balancing act between wants and needs after I take into consideration all these extraneous factors.
Many of my favorite meals in life were at holidays with family while growing up. The food was sumptuous, but it was the fellowship that made the difference. One additional custom in my house was eating lunch following worship several Sundays a year with a guest preacher at the table. My dad was the regular preacher and was preaching somewhere else on occasion. My mother somehow put together a most tasty repast in additional to printing the bulletin, teaching Sunday School, providing appropriate clothing for a family of six, cleaning the house, etc. Took it all for granted then but now in my old age I realize what a saint she was.
Jim, your mom did a lot of juggling! It’s fun that you’re the cook at your house now. As you say, a lot of thought and care goes into even simple meals!
First day in Sydney, Australia. At a posh well rated restaurant sipping on something when I see a whole lobster pass moving. It is placed on a couples table, out comes a butcher knife - WHACK! The head is carried by me just prior to my giant prawns being delivered with heads. I did not eat at that meal. My young American palate was tender with little variety. I will never forget that “meal.”
Ingrid, wow! Um, that makes it clear where the food comes from!
Memorable: When I became a pastor in AL, we were renting. After being called to my second church, I was a 3rd career pastor, we decided we would stay at least 5 years. So we started praying for a house that would help us to bloom where we planted. And oh boy did we. We discovered shortly after arrival that our congregation was made up of little silos. Individuals or couples that had no extended family. And subsequently, no place to go for the holidays. So every Thanksgiving and Easter we open our home. Biggest count was 27; for a sit down dinner! We put tables wherever we could fit them! For almost 7 years now we have been doing this. Everyone brings their favorite holiday food to share. The joy shared around the tables, where they feel like they have come home, is worth all the effort. So ...yeah. p.s. Mary, if you love all things apple AND donuts, try Trader Joe's apple cider donuts...oh my!
Kim, what a beautiful tradition! And that’s a good tip about Trader Joe’s. Such a dangerous place!
1967, college overseas program in Germany, on our way from home stay in Hamburg to academic stay in Munich, we had four days in (mostly west) Berlin. We took a bus trip to the imperial hunting “cottage” in Potsdam, where I had venison ragout for lunch. In my memory it’s unmatchable. During the home stay, my mother made Hungarian goulash from a Dr. Oetker spice mix. It was my favorite comfort food. But never again will I choose her Himmel und Erde, a mix of apples, potatoes, and blood sausage. Nor do I have fond memories of my mother’s deep-dish pizza made with Bisquik and hamburger. Nor her canned asparagus or Harvard beets.
Jo Ann, that sounds incredible. And Bisquick was a staple of my childhood, too.
I grew up in Michigan the daughter of a Texan and Arizonian. I am unable to process any kind of sugar, but have no issues with gluten or dairy products. So I don't eat dessert. Tacos, enchiladas, tostadas were regular items on our menu. We ate spaghetti with home made sauce. Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, fried chicken and mashed potatoes. I thought everybody ate cheese on cauliflower and white sauce with blue cheese on broccoli. Occasionally we celebrated around a Japanese Teppanyaki table, several Mexican restaurants or a steak restaurant. Birthdays tended to be special and the choice of the celebrator. Joining my husband's family for Thanksgiving was truly a joyful experience. Good food and fun.
times. Macaroni and cheese of all kinds are probably my favorite food. Hard to avoid salty snack foods. I'm grateful for all the food available to our family. We never lacked for all kinds and varieties of good quality food.
Ah, yes, the sauce on everything in the midwest! I love that you kept the southwest staples on the table.
I love Ethiopian food! Did you ever try "Blue Nile" when you lived in the area? Also, do you like dim sum? I've never had tapas, but I hear it's the Spanish equivalent of Asian dim sum. You are right, we are very fortunate to be able to have tried so many different cuisines in life. Also, I am very fortunate to never have heard the term "food insecure" before. Very precise and apt term. Thank you for it.
I like the Blue Nile a lot! I do like dim sum…which also makes me think of the sushi restaurants with the conveyor belts, where you snag your own small plates as they go by. Dim sum is classier!