In which I ramble about food
Apr. 11th, 2005 03:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
terrieYou ever notice how on Dr. Phil, Oprah and other talk shows where the day's topic is about obesity and being overweight, they always bring up how people make food such a big deal in their lives. The overweight person talls about how their mama showed love by feeding them, the host talks about how food is used as a substitute for real emotional satisfaction, and we're left with the implication that food and the role it plays should be shunted to the side and viewed only as something you need to live and no more. Like taking a dump. Shameful, but neccessary.
Sorry, but I don't buy it. I don't think we need to down play food. I think we need to elevate it. I think we also need to understand that we've sacrificed quality for quantity, and that this is our real problem. We need to separate the stuff we eat only because it will make our tummies stop grumbling from the things we eat because, damn, it would be a sin not to eat them. We need to reclaim the our rich, culinary history.
Food should not just be about satisfying hunger pains. It should be a holistic experience. The preparation, the presentation, the smells, the appreance, the textures and the taste should all work together. Food should satisfy our hunger but it should also satisfy our need for social connection and beauty. I totally agree with the slow foods view of things, which says:
Whether standing at a BBQ, kneeling on a tatami mat or seated at an elegant restaurant, eating is fundamental to living. Elevating the quality of our food and taking time to enjoy it is a simple way to infuse our daily lives with joy. This is the philosophy of Slow Food.
Food should encourage us to slow down, to experience. It has always been and should continue to be a way to connect to others. By cooking for them, by sharing food. But it's not anymore. Think about it. Beef stew from scratch is, at least, an all-afternoon affair, as it sits and simmers. But most people just heat up a can of pre-made glop. Rather than sitting down at the dinner table, we may grab something at a drive-through and eat in the car. Because we rarely cook, few people stop and think about what they're eating. It's mechanical, something to fill a need, not something to be enjoyed.
There's nothing inherently wrong with premade foods once in a while. Sometimes, you're busy. But, timewise, there are plenty of from scratch things that are just as quick, and the payback is so much more. But, somehow, we, as a society, have become convinced that waiting 30 minutes for a pizza, or driving to McDonald's is faster than 20 mintues quesadillas at home.
We're going to have a generation who think the basic flavors are fat, salt, sugar and ketchup. Whose kitchen skills end with making a sandwich. Who might be surprised to find out that cheese comes in forms besides slices and shredded. Who will have no clue that there is a difference between leeks, onions, garlic and shallots. And that makes me sad. Because I find a great deal of joy in food. I've almost totally given up fast food, limiting the times I do go out to when I'm on the road and there's nothing else, or maybe a local chinese takeout place. (Mmmmm, cream cheese wontons). And it's scary to realize this puts me in the minority, not only when looking at future generations, but people my own age, or even my parents. Many people just put things in their mouth, not even having read the igrediants. Scary.
Sorry, but I don't buy it. I don't think we need to down play food. I think we need to elevate it. I think we also need to understand that we've sacrificed quality for quantity, and that this is our real problem. We need to separate the stuff we eat only because it will make our tummies stop grumbling from the things we eat because, damn, it would be a sin not to eat them. We need to reclaim the our rich, culinary history.
Food should not just be about satisfying hunger pains. It should be a holistic experience. The preparation, the presentation, the smells, the appreance, the textures and the taste should all work together. Food should satisfy our hunger but it should also satisfy our need for social connection and beauty. I totally agree with the slow foods view of things, which says:
Food should encourage us to slow down, to experience. It has always been and should continue to be a way to connect to others. By cooking for them, by sharing food. But it's not anymore. Think about it. Beef stew from scratch is, at least, an all-afternoon affair, as it sits and simmers. But most people just heat up a can of pre-made glop. Rather than sitting down at the dinner table, we may grab something at a drive-through and eat in the car. Because we rarely cook, few people stop and think about what they're eating. It's mechanical, something to fill a need, not something to be enjoyed.
There's nothing inherently wrong with premade foods once in a while. Sometimes, you're busy. But, timewise, there are plenty of from scratch things that are just as quick, and the payback is so much more. But, somehow, we, as a society, have become convinced that waiting 30 minutes for a pizza, or driving to McDonald's is faster than 20 mintues quesadillas at home.
We're going to have a generation who think the basic flavors are fat, salt, sugar and ketchup. Whose kitchen skills end with making a sandwich. Who might be surprised to find out that cheese comes in forms besides slices and shredded. Who will have no clue that there is a difference between leeks, onions, garlic and shallots. And that makes me sad. Because I find a great deal of joy in food. I've almost totally given up fast food, limiting the times I do go out to when I'm on the road and there's nothing else, or maybe a local chinese takeout place. (Mmmmm, cream cheese wontons). And it's scary to realize this puts me in the minority, not only when looking at future generations, but people my own age, or even my parents. Many people just put things in their mouth, not even having read the igrediants. Scary.
