Evan. "Oh my goodness! I'm so tired of grating zucchini!"
Me. "You've only grated half of one."
Evan. "I know! It's taking so long!"
Me. "Evan, the best food is a result of the best ingredients being handled in the best way. It's a process. And it's worth it."
This launched me into a long and passionate lecture, mostly to myself, about how our instant-gratification, microwave it now, swing through a drive-thru culture robs itself of enjoying excellent food because it's in a hurry. We want 15 minute, pre-cooked, pre-chewed foods. Maybe not pre-chewed, but surely there's a market for that too!
"Evan, cooking is art. I watch as you carefully pick the right colors when you paint or color. You aren't in a hurry - you slow down to enjoy the next step. Add the next color. Decide how you want the painting to look when you are done. In cooking you do the same thing. Sometimes it's effort, but the flavor will always shine the brightest when you slow down, enjoy the process, and add the ingredients that are going to produce the flavors you want."
Why blog about this?
Because we all have to eat anyway.
Because we are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Because our hearts break when we watch loved ones suffer or die prematurely simply because they didn't pay attention to the chemicals, fats, and preservatives they consumed in their convenience-oriented meals.
Because there are more of us who are joining the ranks of "process." Time. Planning. Love in the language of food. Standing over savory smells at the stove and sweet temptations in the mixer. Bringing our spouses and children in to enjoy and participate in the process with us. Even if it slows us down. Even if it makes more messes. Even if the results aren't the same.
