The Way I See It

Food has been the focal point in every portion of my life. Food for birthdays, holidays, special events and just plain everyday fare. It has often been the center of gatherings whether a bbq or holiday celebrations or just friends visiting. I am what is known the world over as a “ cook”, not having the skills nor artistic ability to be a chef. However, I have never cooked anything that wasn’t given rave compliments by anyone eating what I made. It is the taste that wins these accolades. It is my one shining moment in life…having people enjoy eating whatever I make.

Growing up my parents made simple food basically consisting of meat, poultry, or fish with a staple potato and vegetable. I didn’t even know people ate salad until my late teens. My dad would venture with different things like grilled cheese sandwiches made in a waffle iron, or white bread dipped in egg and milk, coated in flavored bread crumbs and fried. Then buttered before eating. (Yes I do have iffy numbers with hdl and ldl cholesterol nowadays). My mom would make two distinctly different types of food that I recall vividly. One was veal and pepper on Italian bread or with mashed potatoes and the other was chop meat in tomato sauce served with mashed potatoes and baby LeSeur peas. Once placed on my dish, I would mix this chop meat, potato and peas together calling it my Irish goulash. Habits formed early and until this day I can only eat certain vegetables with certain meals. Although I must admit that since marrying into an Italian family much of my cooking has vastly improved to include many more delicious foods.

Back to my mom, she also made Mac and cheese in her own unique way and I still do it exactly as she did. As a matter of fact many meals I still make are from taking a page from my mom’s cooking, just from watching her I learned her ways. It was my sister, Pat who showed me how to bake. She loved to cook and bake as well and many desserts I still make today are from her teachings. Then throughout my life I met other friends who further enhanced my cooking by giving me their recipes that are quite delicious when made as they did. Even my brother Tommy another good cook has given me recipes that never fail to please those who consume them.

Among those wonderful cooks, was my mother-in-law Teresa. She had a gift with food like no other. Not only was her food the best I ever tasted but her ability to spread food among a dozen or more people was truly an amazing skill. Lucky for me we used to live next door to one another which gave me the opportunity to learn as much as I could from her. Sadly, like my own mom and sister she is gone now. I’m so glad that I was blessed to have a visual mind so that I can remember how to make all the recipes that were never written down.

Now I think the time has come for me to venture further in my love of writing and create a cookbook someday that perhaps will pass down from generation to generation. There is much I must learn before such an undertaking, but try I will and with a little luck perhaps I will succeed one day to accomplish this goal.

And That’s the Way I See it, here in Jackson!
K