Trinity

Many cuisines have ingredients that are the backbone of their cooking. For instance, Cajun cooking leans heavily upon a "holy trinity" of bell peppers, onions and celery.  Spanish cuisine often uses sofrito, a combination of finely chopped onions, garlic, bell peppers and tomatoes. The French employ a mirepoix of diced onions, celery and carrots in many of their dishes. Middle Eastern cooking relies on spice blends such as turmeric, cumin and coriander. I am not sure if my Dutch heritage had a go-to combination of ingredients. My ancestors arrived in the upper plains over a century ago and I suspect they were more concerned about survival than finding the perfect flavor combinations for the food they put on the table. Working with what you have is probably the hallmark of the best cooks. 

Long before the farm to table movement became trendy, many home cooks were doing just that. The family farm I grew up on was providing us with milk from the family cow, no extra charge for the flavor enhancements from the cow's diet. Our chickens were giving us enough eggs for baking and cooking. My mother sold the excess eggs to the local creamery to supplement her "grocery money." Our bountiful garden pumped out enough produce for fresh eating in the summer and jars and jars of canned vegetables for the winter. I often tired of the work involved with our large garden (sorry about the whining, Mom) but I never grew weary of eating vegetables. Our cows and pigs gave us delicious meals and of course, bacon, a pig's greatest gift to mankind. 

My own cooking is far removed from my ancestors who first arrived on the stark prairie landscape. Easy access to grocery stores and on-line purveyors makes it possible to procure just about any ingredient one desires.  I recently ordered gochugaru so I can explore fermenting kimchi. This would boggle the minds of my Dutch grandparents and perhaps elicit a shaking of their heads as they muttered something about the downfall of the young 'uns.  

Despite my desire to explore different cuisines I am still a product of my past. My comfort food meals often involve a manifestation of potatoes, carrots and onions, easy ingredients to keep on hand and extremely versatile. My "holy trinity" is definitely carrots, onions and celery. Depending on the dish I am preparing, a few sweet peppers might be tossed into the mix. Standard seasonings are salt and pepper, of course, with a smidge of this and that added for flavor interest. And don't forget the mustard. Everything from whole-grain mustard to Dijon to the good old-fashioned neon yellow stuff can be found in my refrigerator. 

As I write this post, a pot of vegetable beef soup is simmering on the stove. A week of below zero temperatures provided the inspiration for a bowl of this cold weather elixir. There is nothing fancy in the soup. The beef bones are simmered with carrot, onion, celery, peppercorns, salt and a bay leaf. The broth is strained and chunks of beef are added with tomatoes, tomato sauce, thyme, oregano and more salt and pepper. And, of course, my trinity of carrots, onions and celery is needed. Barley is a final addition and voila, hearty vegetable beef soup. 

If you are looking for a super simple, but tasty trinity, might I suggest a combination of popcorn, broken potato chips and a few cheetos for a pop of color. Goodness gracious, that is an enchanting trinity.  

 

V day

Valentine's Day is a holiday that is often loathed or loved. Regardless of your point of view, this year's celebration will most likely look a bit differently due to the wretched you-know-what. One year ago, many of us were completely unaware of the chaos and ugliness that would soon enter our daily living. My husband and I were out of town enjoying a dinner theater, a place packed with people and a stage filled with singing and dancing. Just the thought of such a venue makes me shiver right now. It also fills me with sadness as we will break our decades old tradition of getting away for a few days in February. Certainly, there are worse things to feel bad about but it is a loss nonetheless. 

Truthfully, we all know deep down that showing how much we care about someone else should not be based on a day designated by the commercial powers that be. We are bombarded with images of roses, chocolates, jewelry and lovers besotted with one another. Comparing ourselves to such contrived business is foolish at best. How and when we choose to honor those who are important to us is in our control. 

Blessedly, my childhood days were free of so many of the pressures of today's world. Media was little more than a television with snowy images and a couple of channels. Magazines in our household were usually our church periodical and my dad's farm magazine. Rest assured, there wasn't a lot of Valentine's information being touted in either of those publications. The closest we got to a valentine was an occasional box of conversation hearts, taste optional. Be True.

Despite our apparent lack of Valentine observations I never doubted my parents' love for each other. I do not recall a bouquet of flowers or boxes of chocolates being shared but I always knew that they had each other's backs. Seven boisterous children and a growing farm business demanded a shared team approach. Love was often expressed in action rather than things. Occasionally Dad would surprise my mom with a gift, often appliance related. This may seem like the most unromantic gift possible but I was always in awe of how Dad knew exactly what would make Mom's life better. And nothing says love like a new 18-cubic-foot freezer. 

There is no perfect moment or ideal gift in the game of appreciation. Give yourself enough grace to do what makes sense to you. Hallmark will continue to sell cards and gifts, with or without you. Chocolate covered strawberries will be just as tasty in July as in February. Flowers are available any day of the week. 

Take a moment to appreciate those who are important to you. A pot of homemade soup can speak volumes of care for someone else. Cleaning out the basement storeroom can be just as powerful. And, of course, a new freezer is always a home run.

Happy Valentine's Day!