Oh, food.

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Earlier this week I decided I needed some real food. Looking through the freezer, which is quite easy as I am not replacing as I go anymore, I found lamb chops and tilapia. I began thawing the chops Wednesday. I made some fine butter fried fish with brown rice and mixed vegetables Wednesday, though I had to thaw by microwave (which I hate to do, thawing in the refrigerator is best). Yesterday, I decided to do something a little more with the chops. Not a lot, but a little more. So, I created a blend of spices, used the mortar and pestle to grind them to my preference, then added a bit of olive oil. I seared the chops, cooked 3 whole still on the cob corn, and when it was all ready, I put half of my oil spice (to include tarragon, peppermint, lemon grass, and… something else I like) on two of the chops and added a bit of butter to the last two, then let them set for about 5 minutes. That has all worked so well that I pulled the last two tilapia fillets out and they are thawing (in the refrigerator) as I write. The only problem? Dishes! I have to do some cleaning before I even think about cooking again.

And, no, I have no recipes. I make this stuff up as I go. Sure, I watch the food channel from time to time, yes, I receive Cook’s magazine (and have an online subscription), but rarely do I use a recipe. I have paid particular attention when eating foods. First it is best to start with raw, or plain, foods. Cook meats various ways. Flavor may or may not change, but texture can be very different from cooking process to cooking process. The same goes for vegetables (and fruits, think cooked and raw fresh figs). Those these can be tasted in many more ways, from raw, to barely cooked, to cooked through and through. (Well, I do enjoy steak tartar and sushi, but it is not necessarily something I do at home, or yet… usually, or at least for a whole meal or a side dish). Next, I started with herbs and spices. Bit by bit, I have learned what the various bits do to foods. Paying attention to what the spices or herbs do to food, experimenting, and just enjoying have lead me to be able to simply become hungry for some mix (or just as often, for straight simply salted beef roast or steak, hold the sauce(s) thank you). As well, I have learned to be very creative and experiment with things that would not seem to mix well, such as cinnamon and hot spices (actually, I found allspice works better in that combination as it produces a less grainy texture while nearly reproducing that taste).

There is so much I have not tasted, but then, I would say I have eaten more than all but some chefs, high-end eaters, and such. Though I wonder how many of them have tried grubs, dog food, and some of the other odd things. Still, watching the travel food channel, I see much I have not had. Then again, how much different would goat testes be from pork and beef testes? And, I have eaten tripe (goat and beef anyway), liver, tongue, heart, and other such. Still, there is much I have missed. Much of that simply is not available. I hope, in time, to try much more.

I just thought to offer a bit about food. If you are hungry, look around, browse the web, see what others are doing, think about your hunger, then just do it. As a fact, try it with what you know first, then try and perfect it. Finding a source your taste generally agree with and which you trust helps, but it comes down to just doing it. So, just do it! I will have to figure out the tilapia, it might be a quick fry with nothing else, but even that is not bad.

This week I will not have time for that, so I have procured some food. I need man food, and I could tell. So, a dozen pieces of fried chicken, lunch meat cold cuts, and my man food is ready. Two jars of pickled pig feet and pickled turkey gizzards a couple of cans of anchovies are ready. I may need a few other things as well. Dang it, those pig feet sound good, but it is almost time to go see if the Queen is ready for supper. She worked last night, so she might be a bit grumpy. I will have to be extra nice most likely. I am out of here.

Have a good night.