I could hardly believe my eyes the other day. I was in the grocery store looking for rice and all I could find was packets with small readymade bags which would be ready boiled in a few minutes. I wanted "real rice", in cardboard boxes or in a woven net, not prepared artificially to be boiled only for a few minutes. Real rice to make paella, risotto, or one of the many different casseroles I love to make.
The rice is not the only thing. Walking around in the grocery store, which is known to be a quite good one actually, I find so much fast food, but no fresh fish, no counter where the meat can be cut in the size I want. The vegetables are still fresh, but the area is occupying only a small corner of the shop.
Are these signs that we are losing our food traditions. Do we turn our backs to the old traditions, to the fresh food which needs to be prepared with love, from scratch, where you really have to use your fingers, your hands, your tastebuds, your heart to make healthy meals?
I found another store where I got the rice I wanted, I visited the vegetable market downtown to buy strawberries for dessert and I went home, deep in thoughts about food.
When I came home I made a bread dough, thinking about food all the time when I kneaded the breads. It is so easy to make a fast and simple dinner, buying the food easiest prepared.......and if we never ask for anything else the shops will not sell it.
Food is important to me. A lot of my cooking is inspired from the Italian kitchen, but I also try to take care of the old Norwegian traditions.
When the bread was fresh out of the oven I cut three slices, one for Marta, one for Terje, one for myself. Then I remember when I was a girl I got a special treat when my mother baked bread. Warm bread with syrup. I spread some on our slices, filled three glasses with milk and had a feats with my man and my girl.
I would love to hear about you and the meals you prepare, the groceries you buy.
