August 4, 2008 (Monday)
Pastor Scott Jones wrote about comfort foods in his blog, and invited readers to respond with their favorites. I suppose every kind of food is “comfort food” to me. I get a lot of comfort, as my waistline now proves.
I never learned to cook, because Wanda was such a good cook it didn’t make sense to turn an amateur loose in the kitchen. Since she has been gone, however, I’ve learned to cook a few things myself.
A few months back, I bought a few cans of tuna in a package. When I opened the package, I discovered each individual item was in fact a little kit, containing tuna, mayo, relish, a little bowl, fork/spoon and a few fancy crackers. It made a nice little lunch. So, the other day when I wanted some potato salad, always a favorite food for me, I remembered the tuna stuff and decided to give it a try. I had a can of peeled, cooked small potatoes, mayo, relish, and mustard. I mixed it together in a bowl, then with a knife and fork sliced the mixture into bitesize pieces, afterwards stirring it, and presto! Potato salad! It was good. The leftovers were even better after spending the night in the fridge. A few days later, I did it again, adding a boiled egg to the mix. It was good, too. Next time, I’ll add pimientos and maybe some chopped onion. Each time it gets better. And it’s no work at all.
I have found the “crock pot” to be like Alladin’s magic lamp. Just dump the stuff into it, and you don’t even have to make a wish. Give it enough time, and whatever it cooks is tender and delicious.
In recent weeks I’ve made biscuits and gravy from scratch. Great stuff. Of course, I’m eating flour on flour, but it’s sure good.
I like to use the George Foreman grill, the toaster oven, the real oven, and the stovetop. I’m learning. I also eat out a lot, but never by myself. Somehow, it’s never as lonely eating by yourself at home as it is in a restaurant. I can watch TV or read at home when I eat, but in a restaurant, enjoying a meal with others, I like conversation.
I’ll never be a good cook, but I’ll survive. For a while.
Oh, “comfort food?” ICE CREAM!!!! It’s the only food, however, that adds 2 pounds to body weight for every 1 pound consumed.