Everyday dilemma.What to cook for dinner?

I don´t know if many of you who are reading this Blog can actually relate to me.From many years of homecooking, i still find myself sometimes completely clueless what to prepare. Would it be sushi day or Taco Tuesday? Anyway, it´s not always that dramatic.Sometimes it goes smoothly.From the start of the day until i head home from work, i already have an idea what to snap from the kitchen and enjoy a warm early evening meal together.Here in Germany, we have this thing called “Abendbrot“. It´s a light evening sandwich , mainly with a slice of bread, toasted baguette with tometoes and olive oil, or with some spread,sometimes goes well with soup or small side dish as well.Nothing big.In the Netherlands, they even have pancakes for dinner.

Then another dilemma happened one day.

During our recent trip from Asia, we´ve been feeding ourselves (almost every day!) with healthy, warm japanese meals. Consisting of Miso soup, smoked mackerel, or salmon which is my favourite so far, with some Tonkatsu, curry and some vegetables. There are limitless options. All of them were good, appetizing Ramen, even the humble Onigiri from 711.I can´t complain about food in Japan.

But then I was missing some steak , grilled meat, wrapped with lettuce or with kimchi, dipped in Humus paste since we haven´t had it for a long time.I decided to marinate some pork lean meats, with lemon and honey overnight. It was a hit. No complaints.Either you pair it with warm small bowl of rice or with green salads with lots of cherry tomatoes and bell papers, either way it will all be eaten, with heartfelt emotion.The moment I placed it at the center table, eyes would lit up, and silent murmurs of appreciation echoes in the dining table.I was pleased enough since everyone is happy, full enough after a long, hard day of work.The young lady even offered to tidy up the dishes and put them in the dishwasher.All is well.

But not all days are like that.Sometimes it can be a real struggle.Staring at the fridge and thinking “What shoud I make now?” or even worst, Do I still have the energy to cook?That same old Pasta Bolognese ? or some wraps this time?But she said anything with potatoes will do…Or eggs without the egg yolk, or anything without cheese says the Dutchman.

Then one time, I prepared the same meat, this time i planned it to be just seared-fry , with some baked potatoes and some veggies.I haven´t had enough time to prepare and I am not in the mood to cook.The outcome from the oven was ok for me, but when she finally saw it, she gasped and said ” Why is the meat without emotion?!”

I almost choked laughing when I heard it, thought she might be joking.She said, the meat looked without emotion, almost without pleasure to be eaten, not like the other ones that I´ve made.It has less “feeling“.Well, I didn´t know that meat has emotions .Does she finally experience some kind of consumer emotion or an animal paradox?

Is it the same with fruits and vegetables? Do have feelings as well?Probably my avocados and kiwis are happy fruits since they make me happy whenever I eat them, like a dose of endorphins in them transfered to mine,making me smile whenever I eat them.

Sometimes we have glorious autumn weather, with lots of sunshine despite the chilly refrigerator winds.We went out hiking, lots of autumn leisure walks, admiring this seasonal colorful foliage and food tripping in the huts.Meat with emotion or without, life still goes on…

Until then, Tschüß!