282: to taste

An IEP meeting today, 6th grade graduation for my youngest, school luncheon at my job, class at the university.  It was a full day, and it went well.

I picked up Chinese on the way home because it was almost 7 and Geo was trying to help people in about 3 different emergency situations, making it impossible for him to help out in the kitchen (which he usually is happy to do).  After dinner we went outside and I did some yard work and enjoyed the evening air.  It was a strange color outside tonight.  I can't really explain it, but it was like the sky was fighting itself, unwillingly giving up this beautiful day.  Moody.

Then tonight G and I stood in the kitchen making Indian food together for a get-together he is having here at the house tomorrow night.  A dozen university students are coming over for food and a movie tomorrow while I am an hour away at the Casual Bloggers Conference (ex-cited!).  And as we stood there working together over the stove, which I might add is quite a romantic thing to do, he asked me questions about exact proportions for the spices, the chicken, the coconut milk.  I said...

Add things in equal amounts and then change it, to taste.  See what smells good.  Sprinkle more garam masala into the marinade if you want.  Add more coriander.  Whatever you need to get it to the flavor you want.  Let go of the recipe and the exactness.

Our lives have been like this.  We throw in church service, work, school, kids and their recitals, letters to the missionary, talks with the first-born.  We throw out the exactness and change it up, to taste.  And it tastes really good.

7 comments

Miss Tinselly | May 28, 2010 at 5:47 AM

...makes me hungry for Indian food

Connie | May 28, 2010 at 3:05 PM

Perfect - but not too perfect. Just tasteful!
See you tomorrow at CBC.

Jenny | May 28, 2010 at 4:11 PM

Wish I could come see you at the CBC, but missed the invite.

Never had Indian food, but would like to give it a try.

Lola Sharp | May 28, 2010 at 5:19 PM

Have fun at the conference!

Stacy | May 28, 2010 at 8:49 PM

Love the analogy- I'm going to have to thing on that one for a while.

And I'm sad I'm not going to see you tomorrow.

Luann | May 30, 2010 at 6:50 AM

I love this metaphor. And romantic is right, I swoon when my husband offers to help with dinner. Anyway...

My aunt is an amazing cook, and she never uses a recipe. It makes me a little crazy when I try to duplicate on of her dishes. I can never hit it on the first try, but eventually I'll zero in on it, or at least get close enough for my liking.

I guess that's kind of your point. :)

Melanie Jacobson | May 30, 2010 at 9:55 PM

Posts like this are the reason I love your blog so much.