PHOTO: Pasta Fagoli
On Thursday, I made Pasta Fagoli. It has beans and some veggies, some pasta and tomato sauce. It was pretty good. I made quite a mess making it — it boiled up over my dutch oven.
My mom bought me a little personal sized dutch oven for Christmas several years ago because I had asked for one to do some different types of cooking. I really love it. I have used it quite a lot. Then, I bought a 5 piece set very similar to that about a year or two ago. It had a cast iron lasagna pan, grill pan, dutch oven, and pot, and lid. Well, after the disaster of this summer, I think I just ended up throwing it out. In the garbage. I was so sick of trying to move everything. And a 5 piece heavy duty cast iron set is NOT light! In the garbage it went. I wasn’t even being green. It didn’t go to the salvation army or anything. Now, I wish I had some of those pieces again. I really loved my cast iron grill pan. It was perfect for grilling up some chicken or steaks. But… oh, well.
I have been trying to cook more often since Kenn has left. I really don’t enjoy cooking for myself because it really is a lot of work for just one person. I am completely content just eating cous cous for dinner. Or just making broccoli. Or just having a potato. Or just grilling a piece of chicken. But, I want to try to learn how to make different things than I am used to. We know what we grew up with, and my mom has a very typical, southern type of cuisine. We never ate italian. And if we did, it was very rare. We might have had spaghetti one of twice every couple of months. It just was not a staple. My mom has always been one to try new recipes. She is a fantastic cook, and I only hope to be like her one day. It takes time, I know that. And I am only 23, what should I expect? So, what I am doing is practicing. Practicing a lot and trying new things. I want to see what tastes good with what and what spices will do what to food. I want to learn those old time substitutions that housewives used to always know.
I guess what I am saying is that I want to be a modern day woman with the strength and character of today, a professional in academia, with the sensibilities and hosting abilities of a 50s housewife. Is it a little like asking to be super woman? Maybe.
One thing that hold me back is that I am quite forgetful. If I don’t set a timer, I forget to check on the food. One minute the garlic bread is just fine chilling under the broiler. The next, the garlic bread is smoking up the apartment! That is one thing that I am working on.
I think I know quite a few things around the home that I have learned from my mom. She really is a great and strong woman that has taught me a lot just from me observing. So, here’s to practice makes perfect!
