Brain Food

Don't be afraid. This is not a post hawking a wonder food that is guaranteed to sharpen memories and increase neuron connections. I will leave such claims to the marketing experts wearing snake skin boots. My claim is based on the power of food and memories.

A recent discussion with a few of my colleagues at work resulted in just such a connection. We shared  plans for our evening meals and the subject of Tater Tot Casserole came up. Three questions were raised: "What vegetable is used?" "What sauce is used?" and "What type of topping is used?" We went back to our youth and the components were quite similar with some variations. The veggie was either corn or green beans (french style for some, cut style for others). The sauce was good old-fashioned cream of mushroom soup. And the topping was tater tots, of course.

Our discussion took a detour when we delved into deviations we've experienced from others. Some cooks throw a handful of shredded cheese on the tater tots for a little extra punch. Some change up the geometry of the potato topping by using diced potatoes, potato crowns or hash brown rectangles. The mushroom soup can be replaced with cream of chicken. And the veggies could be a medley of peas, corn and carrots. Nothing wrong with deviations, but we agreed that our classic memories were the most comfortable for each of us.

Next, we meandered into internet land and discovered attempts to "modernize" the classic recipe. Apparently, a can of cream soup is the demon of the culinary world as many recipes substitute bechamel sauce for convenience of the can (so sorry, Nicolas Appert, inventor of canned goods). One of the pin-me-follow-me-hashtag-me bloggers suggested a recipe with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, milk, sour cream and fresh parsley and thyme. Good grief, no wonder tater tots are added to that hot mess. Why else would you eat it?

My friends and I concluded that we eat casseroles for two reasons: convenience and comfort. Each of us was blanketed with warmness as we remembered the Tater Tot casserole of our youth and the kitchens and potlucks where we enjoyed humble meals with others. None of us felt the need to adjust the ingredients too far from our original recipe. We wanted taste to match memory. Done deal.

Sheri Castle, renowned Southern cookbook author, states, "Casseroles are for the the hungry and heartbroken. If you don't know what to say, let a casserole do the talking." Feeling sad? Whip up a hotdish. Need a quick meal for weary travelers? Pop in a casserole. Getting ready for a potluck? Load up a 9x13 dish with love.

Celebrate some brain food this week and make a dish that takes you down memory lane. Use a can of creamed soup if you wish. Throw in a veggie of choice. Skip the fresh parsley if you live in the upper plains. Casseroles don't judge. They just warm the heart.

New Year

Time to turn the page to a new calendar year. As usual, a new year means aggressive advertisements for fitness clubs, fitness gear, fitness machines, weight loss potions and all things healthy. January screams, "Do something. Now." Many heed the call and others, myself included, plod along with less lofty aspirations. This year, I have the following goals.

1) Bake bread. I dabble in the world of yeast, water and flour, but I do so infrequently. Bread is the universal language of sustenance and the ingredients are quite simple. However, the process can be a speed bump for me. I own a hefty mixer with a dough hook so I have no excuses there. Time is the  primary challenge as bread needs several hours to complete the kneading, proofing and baking steps. Experience is another hurdle. My mother baked loaves and loaves of bread each week and I never saw her use a recipe. I am tethered to a recipe when I tackle bread. Bread dough also senses insecurity so my plan is to march onward with determination. The fragrance of a well baked loaf of bread is a sweet perfume, indeed.

2) Read. I love to read but I confess that I often participate in mindless activities rather than read. It is all too easy to flip my way through seemingly endless choices of TV shows and Netflix picks and never really settle on anything that is worth my time. It takes no effort to scroll through pages of social media posts and not be any the wiser as the minutes or hours ebb away. Whenever I finish a book, I feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. My mind has been soothed, challenged or tickled in some way. And I earn another trip to the library, one of my favorite places to be.

3) Starve the guilt gibbon. Those who know me, know that I like to feed the guilt gibbon who rests upon my shoulder. I never write enough thank-you cards. I adore potato chips. I throw away cheese because it gets away from me. I allow vegetables to languish in my crisper drawers. I make bad purchases for clothing because I hate to shop. I don't make jam. I fail to check my cellphone in a timely manner. Years of stuffing my guilt gibbon's face means this is one goal that will most likely remain dormant. Again.

4) Laugh. I am blessed with colleagues who love a good chortle or two or more. Sometimes, we get a good laugh from a video clip about the humorous side of teaching. Sometimes, a dog or cat meme tickles our funny bone. Sometimes, it is an old-fashioned Ole and Lena joke that gives us joy. But, our best laughs come from the foibles of daily life. Everything from student quips to failed science experiments to compression hose is fair game. Bellyachers are a dime a dozen but a good belly laugh is priceless.

Happy New Year, my dear friends! And may your Cheeto bags always be full.