Satisfaction

[jmfargo]

There's something very soul-fulfilling about cooking. When a recipe turns out just right, whether it's new or so old that I could almost do it blindfolded, it wipes away a bad day, regenerates my mood to a good one, brings me back to myself. It's a fantastic change. When I cook well on a good day, it can almost be magical. I barely overstate this.

I tried a new recipe tonight after spending an entire day shopping at different markets to get the right ingredients; fresh ingredients. Maria went hunting for some Thai recipes and found Spicy Thai and Basil Chicken*, along with three others that she thought we would both enjoy.

She was right.

Cooking it was simple, but the end result was a myriad of complex flavors. For my first time making this dish, I was very pleased with myself. I don't normally make stir fry; that's Maria's job. The chicken came out done perfectly, and the flavors were awesome.

I'm happy, content.

I'm also making chicken stock from the bones and leftover bits of the chicken breasts that Maria separated before I cooked. I haven't made stock very often, but again it feels good, and I'm happy.

Tomorrow, the zombies could come knocking on my door, and I'd always remember today as a good day. If the zombies don't come, however, I'm going to try to top today. It should be interesting. Or a disaster. Either way, it'll be fun.

*A tiny adjustment was made of one more garlic clove and no garlic salt. The oyster sauce gave plenty of salt without the need for more.

Comments

[meopta.livejournal.com]

Last week I had apples, cherries, hazelnuts and almonds, but not enough of anything to do something with. I ended up making a fantastic breakfast cake that was so lovely I'm downright depressed it's finally gone. I snarled at Spouse for suggesting I might want to discard the last 1/2 slice and wash the plate.

It wasn't stale, it just needed coaxing into refreshed life.....

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

You're saying it needed a little hand-to-mouth resuscitation? :)

Sounds delicious.

[sarin-girl.livejournal.com]

I don't often cook, but I know exactly hat you mean when you say it wipes aawy a bad day..

this is one of my favourite things to cook..

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/classic-fresh-tomato-sauce,1161,RC.html

I know I can just go get some tinned diced tomato's but there is just something about this dish... plus it makes the house smell amazing!

I'm too restless in nature to mediate, but sometimes cooking or going for a really long drive is the closet I get.. all the heaving thinking part of the brain just switches off, and you just use the basics to drive, or cook..

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Exactly. It's like meditation, and helps bring focus into the day. Focus on the moment, nothing else.

[angielabrie.livejournal.com]

We must have been on the same karma wave yesterday, I made Chicken Tikka Masala, Daal, jasmin rice, and curried veggies for supper and it was so yummy Sam sang a song about it :o)

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Sounds delicious! I'm trying to learn how to cook Thai food, and last night's dinner was awesome enough that I'll be trying another Thai dish tonight.

One of my big items on my to do list is to learn to cook Thai. To count as learning it, I think I need about 10 different dishes under my belt, as well as understanding the basics so that I could make at least one dish that would make someone say "Is this Thai?"

I don't know if that even really makes sense, but it is what it is. It's how my mind qualifies it.