Of Culinary Joy!
Over the Christmas 2009 period, it occurred to me that I really was an awful cook and not eating at all well.My general weekday diet consisted of coffee for breakfast. Coffee for morning tea. Champagne ham in cheesy buns with a side of five cocktail sausages for lunch, coffee for afternoon tea and then overcooked chops, boiled potatoes and Westie-veges (snap frozen vegetable mix from Watties). And probably all too much wine. Having said that, I’m not sure if there is such a thing as ‘too much wine’.My weekend diet was worse.I’d always enjoyed Jamie Oliver’s work. I’m totally inspired by his shows and his absolute joy of cooking. It just bothered me that I was not able to get to markets before dawn to purchase ingredients, and then spend the entire day preparing a fantastic meal for friends.It was in the New Year that I learned that Jamie had released an iPhone app - ‘20 Minute Meals’. Instantly I was given the tools I needed to start on a steep learning curve. I worked out what kitchen equipment I needed - and purchased. I started learning about ingredients, techniques, mortar and pestle usage and more. I have become used to thinking about dinner from about 10am, then planning and shopping for fresh ingredients every day.
I have found Nosh and Farro’s. I have found other online cooking communities - Big Oven, Epicurious. The ladies at the local Stevens know me now. Milly’s in Ponsonby love to talk food.The best thing is that as my confidence has grown, I’ve discovered a joy of cookbooks. I have found a fantastic range that I’m working through, and have cooked Thai, Morocco, Italy, Spain and India.I love the fact that as I post pictures of my creations, currently mostly eaten alone (sigh), that I have in turn inspired others to explore cooking. I love talking food with people. Swapping recipes, getting ideas of things to try. I’m exploring new flavours, textures and foods that a year ago would never have been in my world.My next challenge is to cook for people and learn to entertain. Summer is coming. Email me for an invite!Simon.