Where does the best conversation take place?
When do we find the best opportunities to sit, talk, laugh, open up, be honest?
Where can we truly learn?
Where do the most life-changing moments in our lives happen?
Around the Kitchen Table.
You can sit in a classroom all day. You can hear lectures all semester and have loads of new information deposited into your mind....
But there's something different about the intimacy, vulnerability, genuineness, and openness that happens during personal conversation around delicious food.
It's where you truly learn, because you're truly listening.
It's where relationships are built.
It's where wisdom is shared.
It's where laughs come from the belly.
It's where the hard work put into a meal is appreciated, enjoyed, and savored.
It's where we indulge.
It's where life takes place.
Here at G42, we spend a lot of time around the kitchen table. Unfortunately, taking time at meals is a lost art in American society.
We hurry from one activity to the next… school, work, meetings, practice, church, parties…
Always something to do that is important and that needs our time and attention… reasonably so.
But we miss the delight of slowing down,
talking,
laughing,
just hanging out,
Spending time with our families, friends
and enjoying deliciousness
Before coming to G42, I spent time around the table with people, but as soon as the meal was over, we’d all get up and go on our way, each back to our own individual thing.
Here in Spain, meals never last less than two hours.
We eat. We savor. Then we sit.
And we live.
And the conversations that ensue, the wisdom and laughs that are shared
have changed my life.
Not only that, but in the process, we’ve gotten to enjoy some really good food.
In fact,
I’ve gotten to cook some really good food.
If we’re going to spend so much time around the table, why not make sure there’s something good to enjoy on it?
So, we all take turns cooking each week.
To be honest, at the beginning it was quite an experiment.
I came here knowing how to cook two things:
1. Lean Cuisines
2. Hot Pockets
Probably not exactly a tasty meal to put on the table for a group of people…
Nor is it the best way to ensure success in attaining a future mate ;-)
Thankfully, practice makes perfect!
And there’s been lots of opportunity for practice here,
with people who are gracious and patient…
and who like to EAT.
So to show you a little of my progress from my humble beginnings of Lean Cuisines, Easy Mac, and sandwiches, I took a few pictures of some of the dishes that my cooking partners and I made this term.
*You might be hungry by the time you finish reading ;-)
Salad Bar - Romaine lettuce with toppings of chicken, garbanzo beans, boiled egg, carrots, broccoli, cucumber, corn, croutons, cashews, bacon bits, tomatoes, mushrooms, and cheese, served with our house dressing - Balsamic Vinaigrette mixed with berry jam.
Chili - Red kidney beans, beef, tomatoes...basically just your standard chili, but it sure was tasty!
I even included my special secret ingredient... but I can't tell you what that was ;-)
Greek Chicken Pitas - Mediterranean pitas with hummus, homemade tzatziki sauce, cucumber and tomato salad, pickles, and cous cous
Chicken Parmesan (actually made almost entirely by my cooking partner, Nate) - breaded cheesy chicken on top of spaghetti noodles, served with a side salad with oranges, walnuts, and feta
Thai Red Curry - chicken, peppers, carrots, green beans, homemade red curry sauce, served with rice
Chicken Cordon Bleu - ham and swiss rolled inside chicken, served with sauteed veggies and rice
Cream of White Asparagus Soup - German-style soup with white asparagus, potato, and thyme, served with crostinis topped with cream cheese, bacon, and fresh roasted green asparagus
French Bread Pizza - pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, salami, chorizo, and pineapple on top of toasted french bread, served with salad with pears, candied walnuts, and Gorgonzola cheese
Spinach Artichoke Pasta - spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, parmesan, white wine, chicken, and tagliatelle pasta, served with garlic bread and a delicious fruit-filled salad that I had absolutely no room for
Meat-Stuffed Eggplant - Roasted eggplant stuffed with beef, goat cheese, pine nuts, cranberries, tomato, and onion, served with pita and hummus and rucola/spinach salad with cherry tomatoes and Gorgonzola cheese
Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas - Sweet potatoes, black beans, onion, feta cheese, tomatoes, onion, and fresh cilantro baked in a scrumptious quesadilla, served with tortilla chips and a fruit and walnut salad
Needless to say, we like to eat! And fortunately, after a few months of cooking, I think I can finally say with confidence that I have actually learned how to cook!
We work hard, we eat, we savor,
and we live :)
and we live :)
