By the time that I walk into my house, I am hungry like a wolf.
My grandmother and mom are situated in their usual spots, waiting for the family workforce to arrive one by one. I don’t even make it to my room yet, when I hear my grandma from the kitchen:
“So, what are you going to eat for dinner?” I’m used to this.
I drop my bag on the floor. It’s heavy from my current commute read, Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. I yell back:
“Let me guess. There’s meat. And potatoes.”
I walk into the kitchen and they both stare at me… Should there be something else?
“Can’t we ever have vegetables for dinner?”
But I already know the answer. No, that doesn’t coincide with Eastern European food philosophy. Vegetables can be a side, sure. But that’s about it.
“Your grass is in the fridge [spinach, kale]. I can cook that grass up in some salt water. And you can eat that.“
I make a face at my grandma in response.
When my dad and I come back from the gym later that night, my mom orders me to sit down and puts a loaded plate in front of me:
Red cabbage stir-fry with bell peppers, red onions, sun dried tomatoes, shredded carrots and beets. Perfectly seasoned. My main feast. Plus, a side salad.
Sure, she threw in shrimp in the stir-fry for good measure. She couldn’t justify feeding her child a mere bunch of vegetables just yet. Someday, it will be okay. I’m hopeful.
But if that’s not love, I don’t know what is.
It can be difficult to live with some one who doesn’t share the same eating habits and preferences. When my husband and I first moved in together, we would always argue over food.. he didn’t mind my messiness but if I would cook dinner with no potatoes then heaven forbid.. and he was a mad man! haha
That’s really cute! It is love, of course.
I hope work is going well!
Aw it’s so hard to unify eating habits in households, especially with family members. My parents think a simple side salad is crazy. But it sounds like you’re able to make progress!
Ha! Love that “grass”=kale.
That’s amusing that your eating habits are so different from your grandmother’s. I wonder if there will be such a generational divide in taste by the time we’re her age. I hope we don’t go around saying, “Those whipper-snappers and their ____!”
awwww such a cute Mommy!!!
Heehee. Parents know best, Olga! Kidding…my dad is the same. Veg, beans, tofu (ie, anything that isn’t meat + carbs) = rabbit food.
baby steps, baby steps.
Now Olga, you know full well vegetables can be a main dish as long as they are wrapped around some meat. Cabbage rolls?
I love the dinner Mama made! I’ll take cabbage and beets anyway you throw ‘em at me!
Your dinner sounds amazing. So how are beets? I wanna try them but don’t know what to expect and are a little intimidated by them.
Enjoy Your day! How is work going?
Beets are SO good. I would suggest trying them roasted (whole wrapped in tin foil) or as beet chips! I’d google some recipes for sure
I just ate a great salad that my mom made that you might wanna try:
Beets (boiled or roasted)
Cannellini beans (if from a can, be careful about adding salt)
Green onion
Oil of choice
Red wine vinegar
Salt/Pepper
that’s it. and its delicious!
bah so funny, but that stir fry does sound A-mazing! Hope you have a great Friday and an even better weekend
Ahhhh that is sweet of her!! It takes parents a little while to catch on to their “different” eating habits of their children!! My in-laws think the things I eat are totally bizarre