For those of you who grew up with families that never cooked, I’m sorry. This post is going to talk about how nice it is to eat something at home. So before I start talking, I’m going to apologize.
My family has been full of good cooks. Food has always been something that was important to my family and brought us together. Even when we were pissed at one another, if you knew someone was making something good to eat, you would come to join the table.
I recently went home to visit. Due to the fact that we are still dealing with Covid and restrictions, I went home to a very quiet, big city. The streets were quiet and the skies were grey, but I didn’t really care too much about it. I didn’t think too much about it since I had such a busy December. Being at home and seeing my parents was a great break for me to have some space from what I have to think about on the daily here.
One thing that makes me really happy is coming home to eat something really good and sit down with my parents at a table to catch up. Having a meal together is one of those simple pleasures that you don’t miss until you are far away and can’t have them anymore.
As we sat around our kitchen table this time, I thought about all the times our family would gather and eat the same dish over the past years. Usually chefs have one dish that they say their family makes that would bring back good memories of food.
I guess I would have to say it would be my mom’s salt cod. It comes from a recipe from a very old cook book that was her parents before it was hers. My mom had saved the salt cod she made on Christmas eve this year and pulled it out of the freezer for me to have one night when I came home. After flying across the country and constantly being stressed and looking over your shoulder, all you want is a hot bath, a glass of wine and something good to eat.
During this trip, there were more nights of good food. Some dishes were saved for me and others that were served as a treat, not normally eaten on a week night. Whatever we were eating, you know that it was going to be good. My father and I would go down to the basement most nights and choose a wine that had been stored from the year before to enjoy all together. That is why I save the wine after all, to enjoy it with others!
I remember when flying used to be fun. I would go to the airport early, to have a nice meal and maybe something to drink to celebrate going away for a while. Now when you go to airport, you are terrified to touch anything and take off your mask to have something to drink. All that stress can make you very very hungry.
To be able to gather with my family around the table after a year like the last, I am very thankful. To be able to eat food that is delicious and brings happiness, I am also very thankful. There is really nothing better than coming through your front door at home and The next time you sit down for a family meal, thank your father and kiss your mother.
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