Or do you see it as a relax time, that takes your mind off daily troubles?
I don’t know why but I was always capable of relaxing in the kitchen. Unless I was stressing about preparing a party for 35 + with approaching arrival time and me not nearly ready 🙂 No matter how stressful my day is, when I come to the kitchen, and start fantasizing about what I can make for dinner, the stress of the day goes a way. Sometimes pouring myself a glass of wine while cooking makes it even more enjoyable. I enjoy the control over what I eat and what I put in my food, don’t you?
You see, when I first moved to America from Czech Republic 14 years ago, I was surprised how different certain foods tasted, compare to what I was used to. I couldn’t find a mustard that I like – everything was either too sweet or too sour to my taste. The same goes for pickles. The butter, way too salty! (until I discovered the unsalted kind). And the yogurt, my ultimate favorite, soooo overly sweet, I started making my own.
Not to mention the bread that never goes bad (that freaked me out). So I slowly went back to basics – I bake my own rye bread without preservatives, I make my own mustard, and I found a brand of pickles I like.
But it’s funny, when faced with another culture and tastes, how different may everything seem. I remember how American tourists, visiting Prague, went to eat to McDonald’s (although they wouldn’t eat it at home) just because it felt safe, familiar. Despite the fact that you can pick  fabulous restaurants in Prague and eat well anywhere. Fear of the unknown?
Going back to my cooking habits – after all, the return to simple, old style cooking proved to be the best way to go. Yes, I use real eggs, good old olive oil and butter instead of margarine. Interestingly, that’s where all the latest diet trends go! After all, the good, solid meal from wholesome ingredients has the ability to make us happy, and to heal both the body and the soul. That’s why I love what I do.
I’m not sure where you’re reading this, but I’m assuming it may be somewhere cold in January. Living in Florida these past few years made me easily forget that people are actually cleaning up the snow in some parts of the country!
As everybody I know is trying to eat healthier after the lavish holidays, or they came up with the New Year’s resolution to finally loose that belly fat (again), I’d like to share with you one of my favorite, super simple recipes. Adventurous enough to experiment with new flavors? Then you must try this delicious, low calorie, easy to make recipe for Curried Eggplant with Chickpeas and Spinach. Perhaps not your typical “comfort food for a dark winter night”. But you never know, until you try it!
Will you share with me how you enjoyed it, if you decide to make it?
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