Food For Thought

Blogging challenge: Day 4

Mid-winter arrives with some familiar feelings.  I get a strong desire to nest.  In high school it was something akin to wanderlust, a drive to make a space in my life for comfort, warmth, and interesting food.  I wanted to set a merry table, put on some introspective music and eat something adventurous. Sometimes that itch would get a scratch and sometimes with limited mobility and resources I was frustrated.  I do remember a lovely winter meal my mother prepared then served on new stoneware dishes.  Candles were lit and we ate French Onion soup with melty cheese on the toasted baguette.

Star anise, Cinnamon, coriander, fennel, and cardamom toasting for Pho'

Maybe it's springs first stirring, the symbols and rituals of Imbolc, Candlemas, St. Bridget's Day, and Ground Hogs day. There is also a bit of the excitement of Chinese New Year thrown in to spice to pot.  As I learned from reading it is common to do some spring cleaning on Imbolc eve, making space for the new to come in, common to give and donate un-needed belongs, common to enjoy the warmth of candles and fires, and common to visit a well or stream.  It makes some sense that trying some new food is a meaningful way to welcome a new year.  

The aromatic vegetable roasted to char

Often the types of food I want to prepare require some time in preparation and time meditating over ingredients and enjoying the smells and process. In the past I have filled the house with the aroma of caramelized onions for French Onion soup, roasted and toasted spices, onion, and ginger for Pho', or the permeating smell of braised oxtail for rich broth.  If I'm feeling less ambitious a hearty clam chowder will do.  I like to thicken it with a packet of hollandaise sauce powder, to emphasize some lemon notes and grate in a bit more lemon rind.  

Cooling, heating exciting and warming condiments

Last night, Andy and I attending a bon fire, those attending were invited to bring last year's Yule Tree to burn, the first tree was set upon several pallets with fuel underneath and some small fireworks and the tree was topped with a paper Saint Brigit doll.  Before lighting the tree each attendee was invited to write sometime to let go of and put it on the tree.  And then she burned and through the evening each Christmas tree brought was set upon a pallet upright to burn again.  And yes! it was warm!

Mmmm!