Play With Your Food!

I can almost hear the chiding sound of my mothers voice, thinking back to when I was a kid when it was more fun to play with my food than to eat it.  After all, when your mom takes perfectly delicious mashed potatoes and then ruins them by adding fresh chopped parsley because, “it’s good for your colon,” what kid would really want to eat that?

Fortunately, as I’ve gotten older, my palate has become more evolved.  I now love mashed potatoes; I have come to appreciate the fresh clean taste of parsley (just still not combined together – I do have my limits), and I still love to play with my food.

In my spare time, when I’m not spending time with my family or writing my novels, I’m more than likely in the kitchen cooking, or somewhere nearby, thinking about cooking.  Bottom line, I’m a big foodie.  I love to try out new recipes and new foods from different cultures – short of eating bugs or anything gross like that.

I have learned a few culinary lessons along the way of course, for example one time when I was in Scotland.  I was enjoying this wonderful little pub and its great atmosphere, when our very friendly, ruddy-cheeked waitress suggested we try their special of the day called ‘Haggis and Neeps.’  Being in a foreign country and wanting to try their local cuisine, I thought, sure, why not?

A short while after we’d been served our food, our waitress came by to ask how I liked the special and I had to admit, I wasn’t sure.   So, I curiously asked, “Well, it’s certainly something I haven’t had before!  What exactly is this?”

If you’ve seen the movie ‘Brave,’ try to hear the waitresses reply in the beautiful brogue of a Scottish accent, “Neeps are a Scottish turnip and potato dish that have been boiled and mashed. Aren’t they delicious?  Oh, and the Haggis is a savory pudding of sheep’s innards, vegetables and spices, stuffed into a lamb’s stomach and simmered for hours in a rich, flavorful broth.”   Gulp – really?  She couldn’t have led with that whole sheep’s innards thing?

Needless to say, it was a lesson learned and a very good lesson learned.  It taught me not to be afraid of taking chances when trying new foods, however do take the time to ask if you’re not sure!

So, for those of you who have been asking me about the food dishes I incorporate into my writing as well as the recipes I include in the back of my books, yes, all of the recipes I reference are tested and ‘Vicki approved’.  In fact, several of them are among my favorites that I cook at home all the time.  If you haven’t tried the cedar plank grilled salmon and wild mushroom risotto yet, I would seriously consider trying it this weekend.  It’s delicious!  (The recipes are on my ‘Featured Recipes’ link by the way…hint, hint).

And for the rest of you who are curious about what will be in book three?  Let’s just say, I’m about half-way through the book now and Tori and Ben just had a delicious dinner by the fire with a rich, savory dish that cooks in the crockpot all day and literally falls off the bone when you scoop it up. I made the dish at home last weekend and my family loved it!  You will too!

So, get off the couch, get into the kitchen and PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD!!