I have always wanted to be something that I am not. The two things I wish that I could be right now are southern and Mexican. There is something about the food culture and camaraderie that those groups have that I want for myself. I don’t want to speak Spanish or have a thick accent but I do want to eat and celebrate the way they do. Large celebrations for the smallest rite of passage made complete with large amounts of family and great simple food. I can’t imagine anything better than that. I can’t create the family part of either of these cultures but I can certainly try to cook like them.
Both of these cuisines have strong flavors with simple ingredients. All put into recipes that create enough food for an army. That part does present a little problem. What am I going to do with all of this food that I will be making? My freezer is either going to get really full or my friends are going to really get tired of Mexican and southern food. We shall see which happens first.
I am currently enamored with southern food. I seek out restaurants all over the city that have a home cooking of southern theme so I can try southern food that I never had growing up. I have found I love greens, catfish and oxtails. Fried Chicken and meatloaf are dishes I never get bored with eating.
I can already make a mean meatloaf and a tasty mac and cheese so tonight’s challenge was oxtails and grits. First attempt at grits really didn’t go so well though I am convinced it is because I had the wrong cornmeal. Oxtails smell great but have another 20 minutes until I get to put the finishing touches on them so hopefully tonight ends with a .500 average.
connecting with food
