Coming of Age in the Couzeena

My kitchen (couzeena) smells like a Greek restaurant, tonight. My friend, Marie, would cry if she read this. Then, having calmed down, she would ask me, "When did you become so domesticated? and what have you done with the other Krissy?!"

Every so often, today for example, while standing and peeling the eggplant, I had what Oprah has coined so beautifully as...an "ah-ha moment."  I realized that cooking is not a big deal; even I can do it! Don't misunderstand..I HAVE BEEN cooking for years. My family was well-fed.  I just never ventured beyond.. the 3 basic parts, as were taught to me in my Home Economics class at Erasmus Hall. "You must always serve your family a balanced meal consisting of a meat/fish, a vegetable and a starch, be it a potato or rice side." (It's funny how we remember certain words verbatum, and the person who spoke them...Mrs. Epstein.)

Now, I find it easier and actually nutritionally rewarding, to be able to prepare a meal that implicates a variety of vegetables, in some kind of sauce, poured over a  heart-healthy wheat pasta. Tonight, my ratatouille (eggplant, zucchini, onions, garlic, oregano, and diced tomatoes cooked in olive oil) will celebrate with whole wheat pasta, and fresh crumbled Feta atop! 

I believe that my children may have hindered my growth as a cook..."You don't think I'm going to eat THAT?!!!" and "Mom, I'm eating out with the guys; don't cook for me." My husband must share the blame, too. "Honey, I'm doing a double," or "Just leave it wrapped up, on the stove and I'll nuke it when I get home." I found myself asking, "Why bother?" It was easy for me to eat a ham and cheese sandwich, alone, for dinner.

What was once family time, of giving thanks to Our Lord, eating together, and listening to 'how our day went'..we were now, on different eating schedules. Everyone was doing their own thing. How very sad..but true. Things change as time moves on.

Now that I am retired, and my children have homes of their own, I tend to experiment more with food. I only have my  husband and myself to feed. He loves my cooking. He compliments me. I feel like a bubbly Rachel Ray! E-V-O-O! haha. Time for dinner..ratatouille over pasta with feta cheese-that's what's for dinner tonight!                    Peace.