When I am putting a dish together, the seasoning that I struggle to get the right balance with is salt. My difficulty rarely extends to pepper, basil, turmeric, or chilies, or other spices and herbs. I taste as I make. I can sense the taste experience changing with the addition of other spices as well as the impact of heat and time playing out with the combinations. My attention to detail is there but I do not always know the results. When the person being served observes that it needs a touch of salt and I try it; ah…usually it is obvious to everyone that their observation is correct.
Life is more that just one element. Exercise, rest, and good eating are not the beginning and it. Taking care of one’s emotions is important. Learning and growing from life experiences is another piece. It is in the combination of everything in the mix that we discover the opportunity and experience of living full! While interesting by itself, it is the combination of life’s attention points that opens one up to a greater story.
I have come to realize through cooking that there are certain mantras I need to remember.
Thinking of flavor combinations is better than thinking of them alone. It is important to think about the goal, checking milestones along the way to determine if one is making progress. The outcome is true metaphorically as well as in the dish; “Love and Truth meet in the street, Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss!” (Psalm 85.10)
Sums are greater than the parts. In short, they can be much worse or much better! Flavors that compliment and build on each other, bringing out the best while bringing an intangible to the overall result are awesome combinations! The simplicity of Italian cooking can produce incredible experiences, starting with great spice and flavor combinations.
Pushing things to the limit does not always lead to great results. On occasion, dishes do not work. There is no point in hiding. Reload, reset (learn), and start anew.
Welcome to today.
