Food Voice
1. Lacinto Kale and Red Chard
Sometimes I have to psych myself up to cook greens. Perhaps some kind of residual little-kid voice takes over and convinces me that it’s too much work. So I pass and opt for what seems like an easier vegetable. Thankfully, last night, I pushed past that reflex.
I tore the kale into manageable pieces, chopped the chard in fat strips and then sautéed them over medium heat with repeated drizzles of olive oil. Once their respective green hues turned especially vibrant, I removed them from the heat and tossed them with rosemary-infused white wine vinegar, fresh ground pepper, and a pinch of sea salt. The result was so satisfying, so easy—I don’t know why that kid voice ever won at all.
2. CAKE
Maybe the answer why the kid voice rules my choices: I have a wicked sweet tooth. The only benefit to the late afternoon meeting I had to attend today, two kinds of sheet cake!
It was obviously left over from another event and wasn’t even fully thawed, but no matter—I was thrilled, cheering, even, when I saw it. If it weren’t already clear, I am more slut than connoisseur when it comes to cake. Concerns about high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated fat fall upon deaf ears. If it is sweet, spongy, and covered in icing, I’m eager and willing.
Especially if I can get a corner piece.
3. Coconut Lentil Soup
Moments ago, my neighbor brought me some soup he bought at the farmers’ market. It’s been in the eighties for over a week now so soup wasn’t an appealing choice. Go away kid voice. Be a grown up. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Even chilled, the soup was delicious. I’m a sucker for coconut milk. It has everything I want—sweetness and a smooth, creamy texture. I especially love how it balances whatever spices it’s paired with. This soup was the definition of balance—the lentils were blended and cooked down; the curry was subtle; and the coconut milk brought everything together. The perfect surprise. I had a cup with a toasted slice of Dave’s Killer Spelt Bread and some cold asparagus.
