I love food, and I love to cook. I am far from a “pro”…I just like to make good things and put some “love” in it. And people seem to like my cooking. That always makes me smile.
I have recently started thinking about what inspires me so much about cooking. My mind always lands on two women—my mother and my stepmom.
My mother was a caterer, amongst several other things (published writer, super-mom, etc.). She was a very smart and talented lady in general, and she had a lot of skills and interests. When I’m feeling particularly proud of myself, I like to think I take after her a bit.
But what a lot of people can remember about her is that SHE COULD COOK. As a result, my siblings and I were not those kind of kids who liked cheese-its and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We wanted pot roast and gumbo and German Chocolate cake. She made it all. And in all honesty, she was, without exaggeration, a pioneer in cuisine in our local black community. Her food dazzled. She was adventurous. She introduced people to things. I remember one time she had the family over for fish and beer. She fried up her famous catfish and had beer for everyone to enjoy. I’ll never forget watching my prissy grandmother chug a bottle of lager while digging in to her meal. My mother had brought fusion English pub fare to a black family in Arlington, TX. And this was pre- (widespread, at least) internet, and pre-“foodie” craze. She loved to cook and introduce people to new things. It was so authentic and groundbreaking and real.
And that makes me think about my stepmom, who is a phenomenal cook. My stepmother is Filipino, and right away, because of my mother’s foundation, I appreciated the differences in her cultural cuisine and cooking techniques. And she exposed me to things I would not have otherwise tried. It was through her that I learned I have a very strong palate for Asian flavors and cuisine. She is honestly to blame for my sushi addiction, but I’ll give her a pass for that. She has subtlety taught me things….trying new flavors, new preparation techniques, and googling the hell out of a recipe to make sure you have the best version. I didn’t realize how important it is to get the details right until I learned from my stepmom. It has made me an infinitely better cook.
I could wax on for days about my love for these women and food and cooking, but it simply boils down to the following statement. Cooking is one of the simplest ways to show your love for your friends and family, and it’s also a great way to experience something new. So don’t be afraid to try something new, and even then– give it a chance to grow on you! I promise it won’t hurt. You have to expand your horizons—it’s part of becoming a well-rounded individual. And the next time someone cooks you a good meal, be sure to tell that person how much you enjoyed it. Because if it was good—really good—I’m sure they put a little love in it. And if you say so, I guarantee it will make them smile.