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Thoughts
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Written by Theresa
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Monday, 10 September 2007 19:00 |
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Why is there ordinary food and special food? What imparts the difference between two relatively common meals, one holds a higher place in our hearts than the other? Spaghetti and meatsauce vs Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding. Tacos vs Barbecued Salmon. The answer could lay in the cost of the food, or in the time it takes to make it or in the perceived difficulty level of preparation. But I don’t think that is strictly it.
For example: my birthday looms. My family would be inclined to take me out for a treat. I don’t want to go to a restaurant for my birthday, I want it to be a private affair (this year!) I want to wear my fuzzy socks that make my feet so happy in the fall and curl up in a floppy T shirt on the couch with a glass of wine. Then I want a “special” home cooked meal.
For me that meal would be chicken and dumplings. Plain and home-y enough, so what makes it special? Is it special to everyone? It isn’t hard nor expensive. It isn’t fancy at all, quite the opposite. It is directly from my mother’s repertoire, a childhood favorite, made in the fall after months of burgers and sandwiches.
Perhaps it is due to the flavours of all my fav’s put together, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, chicken, salty broth thickened with stodgy steamed biscuit dough floating atop. Perhaps it was the magic of seeing the dough go in wet and gloopy and exactly 11 minutes later puffing up to a glistening orb. Maybe it was the fact that we got to drizzle molasses ( sugar at dinner?) over our dumplings and I was a sugar freak.
All are pieces of the puzzle of why chicken and dumplings are special but the truth is it had more to do with the people. My mother seemed happy when she made this dish. She, too, was awed by the magic of the rising dough soaking up the excess broth. Her life was (it is much better now) one of work and strife and responsibility. Maybe it was a good month when we had the cash for a pot of stew. Maybe she knew that dad would be happy with this meal and therefore her too. One less stress?
Any way you slice it, this particular meal meant peace and comfort. Sure it was drippingly delicious but it also had a cottoning effect on our souls. I’ll have to ask my sisters if they feel the same way about it. I know my daughter does.
I shall make myself a pot of chicken and dumplings for my birthday and pass along the magic of my happiness to my family. (I’ll make it in the slow cooker so it won’t take up my whole day) Special food comes from special moments, not special taste buds.
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