I love food. I love to read about it, talk about it, buy it, prepare it, smell it, and I love to eat it. If you happen to call or run into me during any of these food activities, you will hear all about my dinner for the day. If you're really lucky you may hear about the entire week. My neighbor is particularly blessed to know what my family is eating on most days. For her patience, I do balance this oversharing of information with many delicious things to eat.
I not only talk about what I am enjoying foodwise, but I also share little food tidbits with those around me. Did you know that you dip your home-made, soft pretzels in a baking soda/water mixture before baking them? Did you know that you can get a complete protein in the grain quinoa? The grain was recently mentioned in Friend magazine. I must find quinoa and look up all possible recipes. Two that come to mind from recent browsings: quinoa stuffed bell peppers and a hot, breakfast cereal. Anything with the word "stuffed" in the title has to be wonderful. Stuffed pork chops, stuffed artichoke hearts, stuffed mushrooms, zuchinni, pastas.
I have another neighbor that addresess my little quirk head on to get it out of the way before moving on to the point of her call. She says, "Hey Annie, what are you baking today?" I know she is making a joke--teasing me a bit, but I can't help but rise to the bait. My response will go something like this, "(chuckle) Well nothing, but did you know that milling popping corn through your wheat grinder makes the most divine cornbread? I think I milled it a bit finer than the conrmeal you get at the store...." Her response, "Wow. So I was wondering...." It's nice to have such kind and indulgent friends. I also make delicious things for her.
The point of all this? Nothing really, but look at this lemon, oregano roasted chicken resting on some nice orzo (with a hint of dill).
After our post dinner walk it was a joy to step into our still fragrant home and know that the source of those wonderful smells sat snug in my belly.
