Posts tagged Food For Thought

 

I caught a glimpse of Junior Masterchef the other day, and boy did it make me feel old. I remember when I was in primary school and tailing my mother in the kitchen, forever getting in her way, and always wanting to “help out” (although I think that I was more a bother than a help). At that age, I was helping to stir things, and whisk things, never going near a stove or knives.

But the kids on Masterchef? Chopping and whizzing away like there’s no tomorrow! What is this? How can it be that it took me 20 years to get truly comfortable in the kitchen and there are these 8 year olds doing amazing things. Where did all those years go?

It also makes me wonder, though, about my kids (if I have them). How early should they be introduced into the kitchen? How should they be exposed to food? I have this constant nightmare that a glutton like me is going to have a kid who just genuinely doesn’t like food. What then?

=(

This calls for some comfort munchies. Cheese platter ahoy!

Some people are against all forms of processed foods. Nigella (my goddess!) is an example of one. She believes in eating lots of ‘real foods’, but can’t stand ‘processed foods’.

But what are processed foods exactly?

One example of processed foods that is commonly given is canned food, and I have to admit that I’ve had (have!) a secret love affair with them. Yes, I do believe in ‘real foods’, but tinned goods have so much to offer! They are always on hand, cheap and last for absolute ages! No, I don’t think that you should have it for every meal, but when it’s late at night and everything else needs prep, tinned foods can be that shining beacon of light saves you from the hunger! I remember when I was a kid and a quick, easy, comforting lunch would be bread and a creamy bowl of Campbell’s soup.

Apparently, Campbell’s soup was meant as a luxury side dish for the upper echelons, but they found out that the ‘lower class’ were the ones buying the product and using a tin as an entire meal! Either way, tinned soup just evokes warm, fuzzy memories of childhood.

The best time was when I was sharing a tin of oxtail soup with my mom, and it had an egg cracked into it. We had the soup with soft white bread, sitting across from each other at the dining table.

What’s your best food memory?

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I’ve been busy moving house, and it’s absolutely killing me that I don’t have a useable kitchen at the moment. Everything’s in boxes and I think that I’ve actually run out of space in my kitchen!! =(

Seeing as how it’s a public holiday (Easter long weekend in Australia), there aren’t many healthy alternatives if you don’t have a kitchen. Which I don’t at the moment. So it’s been pizza and burgers, and as much as I appreciate junk food once in awhile, I just can’t take it anymore!! What I would give to have rice and veg at the local hawker’s in Singapore!!

I miss hawker food like you can’t imagine.

I miss late night hawker food even more.

I NEED VEGETABLES!!

A couple of nights ago my partner S and I came home quite late after work, and uni, respectively. He had forgotten to bring lunch to work, and so was extremely hungry when he got home. I had eaten lunch, but still felt hungry. The time was 8pm, and the both of us were at a loss as to what to cook before we feel like we’re absolutely starving.

S is not much of a cook, so it’s a bit hard for us to split duties like chopping (a stir fry is quick but the prep takes time) between us so it’s more efficient, and I’m too picky to just have a sandwich. I have realised, though that, as we are fitting more stuff into our schedules, the time to partake in the choosing and preparing of food that we enjoy is fast running out. On some days it does seem that fast food or takeaway ends up being the only viable option.

I shudder to think that fast food will evolve to become the only option in a food-lover’s life. In the past hectic months I’ve just realised how hard it is to keep on top of everything that’s clamouring for your attention, and still take the time to think about what you’re putting in your body.

Sometimes I wish that time would physically manifest itself as a grilled cheese sandwich, so that when it melts away at least it’s tasty. (Although not the healthiest thing out there)

Sometimes I wish that the healthy option is the easy option.

Food makes me happy. There. I’ve said it. I’ll also be the first to admit that I constantly turn to food whenever I’m having a bad day. Whether I’m cooking, (or more often) eating, food is that constant friend that is always on hand and is an extremely good listener.

Most people (and they’re probably right) say that comfort eating is an avoidance of your problems, and by doing that you’re not really facing up to and solving the problem. But I do believe that everyone needs to find a way to get out of the negative headspace, especially during highly emotional moments. A quick escape button, if you will.

It’s almost like how some people call their mom when they’re at a particularly hard time in their life, just for comfort. Same thing. Sometimes you just can’t measure the rush of pleasure that that first bite of bacon (or your comfort food of choice) will give you.

Comfort eating may not be as bad a thing as we convince ourselves it is.

Happy munching.

I’ve always wondered, what’s the difference between Cooks and Chefs? Aren’t they people who cook (and supposedly cook well) and want to feed people? Is it the formal training? Is it the place in which they cook?

Is it the tall hat?

Can anyone tell me what’s the difference?

That would be my superhero name if I were one. My costume would consist of control-top undies and an ever-forgiving wrap dress.

My superpowers would be that I could eat anything I want and not be hindered by health concerns. I would be powered by the sheer flavour of things! I would be able to eat my way through a 10 course meal and not bat an eyelid. People would lay the best dishes at my table! Chefs would quiver at the sight of me! I would be able to get into any restaurant I wanted and screw the waiting list!!!

…or I could just become a food critic.

How about you? What superhero would you be?