14th May, 2006
KISS—Keep it Simple, Stupid
by
I want to continue on the theme of why people no longer cook, instead preferring to eat the dreck that one is served in many food establishments. People must think that there is something inherently too difficult about it. As the person who wrote a book about this said, we have found two to three hours a day to surf the net and send e-mails, so we certainly have time to cook if we so choose.
When I think back on my gramma’s kitchen, I am struck by the lack of fancy ingredients. She basically fried in Crisco lard, used salt and pepper, butter, vinegar, and other than that, there were no sun-dried tomatoes sitting in a virgin olive oil or any of the other frou frou food items we are now supposed to require in order to turn out a “gourmet” meal. I can guarantee that nothing beats my gramma’s potato dumplings smothered in home made gravy.
What is the deal with men and home made gravy, anyway? When I was single I only made pot roast and gravy for very likely prospects, as once they’d eaten this it was hard to get rid of them. A lot of young women are casting around for ideas on how to snag a mate, and I have to say the old adage of getting to a man’s heart through his stomach is really true. A slow-cooked pot roast made with carrots, garlic and onions and served with mashed potatoes and gravy does something spooky to the male.
My son Luke’s friend, Dan, was at our house more and more frequently. In fact I automatically made five servings of dinner after a while. So much so, that one night when we heard Dan’s truck arrive I said to Denis “It’s The Boarder.” Later, I referred to Dan that way to Luke, and he asked why Denis and I called him The Boarder. He said that as Dan didn’t skateboard, it didn’t make sense. I said that it wasn’t that kind of a boarder, it was the type where people move in. I said “I’m sure Dan’s mother has noticed that he hasn’t lived at home for a very long time.”
When The Boarder went away to the Caribbean to work for his dad, and returned for a visit after a several months absence, his only request was pot roast and gravy. I was happy to oblige, and only wish there was a way I could ship a jar of it to him.