What’s Cooking?

When our grandchildren come to visit, I go to some length to provide foods they like. Then they arrive and announce that their favourites have changed and they no longer like chocolate milk or whatever it is that I have bought in quantity. So, when Ben came to visit recently, I had a new plan. I told him we were going to the grocery store together.

At first he wasn’t too excited about this option. But I lured him there with promises of Marvel hero cards being given out at Loblaws stores. He put down his ipad immediately and joined me in the car. As we drove there, Ben explained that the cards are given out in packs: one pack for each $25 worth of groceries we bought. I assured him we could get at least 1 pack.

Our first section was produce. We approached the fresh corn bin and grabbed 4 cobs. Then Ben saw the sign – 59 cents each. “That’s only about 2 dollars.” he sighed. “We’ll Never get to $25!” So I led him to the meat section. Ben’s favourite part of the meal is meat. We studied the pork loins and the chicken. Then we saw the lamb chops. It turns out that Ben and I both love lamb chops and, just like that, we were already into the second Marvel card pack.

This plan worked well. The food Ben chose was mostly consumed, and we only sent him home with his mushy white bread.

As we “grow up,” Peter and I find our diet changing. We try to eat less white bread, and more greens, especially in the summer when they are so handy in Peter’s back garden. We cut down on red meat, (except for the occasional lamb chops), and we eat more fish. As for sweets, they are an addiction for us, so I try not to buy them. Sometimes I can’t resist my favourite cookies so, after I buy them, I hide them in my desk drawer. Don’t tell Peter.

We also find ourselves cutting corners in the kitchen, eating more simply. Instead of roasting a chicken, we’ll buy one at COSTCO. Instead of making lasagna, we’ll go to Bruno’s. Instead of cooking vegetables, we’ll eat them in a salad. It’s safer that way.

After all, the kitchen is a challenging place sometimes and we don’t want to spend too much time there. Filling the salt shaker upside down while forgetting to cover the holes in the top means a lot of salt goes on the floor. Losing track of a recipe means stirring in the forgotten ingredients after the casserole is cooked. Dropping a paring knife in the potato peelings means the knife gets lost in the compost bin.

To work in the kitchen we definitely have to keep up with our exercises and sudoku puzzles. We need to be prepared: to lift those heavy glass bowls from the top shelf, stir that cake batter for at least 3 minutes, bend over to load the dishwasher, and remember to turn off the oven. Or else, take Ben to a restaurant.

Sue

Some off Peter’s back yard produce