Directions: |
Directions:Well, as you know, my mom cooked SO many things, so so many. Though, I would say, the meal that is quintessentially hers seemed to be Red Beans and Rice. So I am glad you have that and are including it. OH, also, her Tuna Noodle Casserole! (I am sure she would be cringing right now hearing me suggest this! It is totally simple but it was always my favorite....do you have the recipe already?)
I understood cooking through my mother's hands. I do not mean to say that she demonstrated the recipes to me with her hands and I repeated her actions with my own hands, although, this kind of mirroring did occasionally happen. It was the temperature of her touch on weekend mornings when I was young that let me know what she was making in the kitchen. She'd sit carefully next to me, wake me by laying her hand so simply on my cheek, or shoulder, or back. If the touch was cool, she was baking. If the touch was cool and damp, she was cooking meat or fish. If touch was warm, she hadn't cooked a thing and was waiting for me to join her. I grab her hand with both of mine when she tries to stand up and leave, and keep it close to my face. It smells of sweet garlic or lemon zest, dark chocolate, thyme or cucumber. This is how I understand cooking. The kitchen was, and still is, the first room I go to, when waking. |