F is for Food and Family

Last night Casey and I finally watched Julie & Julia. Of course, now I'm on the hunt for a cheap used copy of Mastering The Art Of French Cooking.



One of my favorite and earliest memories of a well-prepared meal was actually from a visit to my Aunt and Uncle's house in New Mexico, many years ago. I couldn't have been older than 10. I recall my aunt and uncle smiling, talking and working together in the kitchen, my uncle wearing an apron, everyone else scattered around and carrying on until dinnertime was announced.

It was the taste of fresh green beans, steamed to perfection that left such an impression. They were brightly colored, still crisp, long, slender and fragrant - much different than the canned green beans I was used to. Those simply prepared beans left such an impression that I don't actually remember what else we ate! There we all sat, my cousins, my siblings, my parents, and my aunt and uncle. They were sipping white wine and had classical music playing in the background. It was a lovely dinner.

I realize to others my vivid memory of something as simple as steamed green beans may sound silly or unsophisticated, but I never forgot those green beans. Something clicked that day. "This is how meals should be prepared and enjoyed," I thought to myself. That experience planted a seed and a life-long appreciation for well-prepared meals. To this day I still prefer my green beans fresh and steamed as opposed to boiled. Though I'll never turn down a serving of slow simmered green beans with bacon and onion. A girl has to have her comfort food. I dedicate this week's blogging to my food festish and to the Julia Child who lives in every foodie.