Sunday evenings are a ritual for me. Do you believe in rituals? Do you live with traditions? I certaintly do, and i love them. Be it alone or with loved ones, friends and family, i love and look forward to my personal traditions and rituals.

When i had my huge 100 year old home, every room on a sunday was re organized and cleaned. The hard wood floor sparkled, and the candles at dusk were lit. Classical music is my choice of peace for the morning hours. A book with glorious pages of recipes is opened, strong african coffee is brewed, and a plan is made. These days, Lord Oliver is by my side, figuring out which recipe is the best to make for the week. His opinion matters to me, so we consult together.

Grocery shopping was done , most likely, the night before or the thursday morning before, depending on the season. I much prefer the local farmers market on thursday mornings in the spring , summer and fall. Talking to all the locals, is the best part. The "goodmornings and how have you been and how was your week and what has grown this week" is my favorite way to start my days. (Have you been to the Union Square Market in Manhattan? Its amazing and ever so joyful. The markets in Santa Fe New Mexico as well as Pittsburgh are exquisite in their own expressions, as well)

Around 4 pm, i start my recipe. I open a bottle (or two) of some good red wine. I like to collect lovely tiny glasses from all over the world and sip wine from them. My cats used to sit on the couch and blink softly with approval , at my choices. Lord Oliver prefers to sit , stand or lye next to me and occasionally woof out a comment or two or three.

The chopping  or slicing begins. The flavors explode into the air and the bluegrass music is turned on. Sips of wine are drunk between recipes. An occasional cheer to a loved one, is quietly (or outwardly) expressed. More of the squeezing, pressing, chopping , slicing, sauteing,brewing, tossing, marinating. The next few hours of preparing are joyful and always include some sort of olive oil and garlic. (I cant live without it)

Then there is the halfway point, where everything is steaming or poaching or brewing or marinating or grilling, or all of the above all at the same time, when i pick up Lord Oliver and do a swing dance with him. ( I personally think he enjoys is as much as i do)

Bluegrass gives me the feeling of home. "Downhome cooking" as they claim. Whatever it is i'm preparing, its  an enjoyable ritual and tradition. One of health and intention filled with good organic produce and fresh "whatevers". The best part of it, is in the summertime. I dare you to turn your air conditioning off, put on an old fashioned kitchen apron, pull your hair back, swig a shot of wine, open some windows, and steam a pot of craw fish. Turn the oven on and bake some cornbread.  Get out your favorite skillet and saute some local collards in oil. Turn on the stove and make a cream sauce to go over all  of it, not caring one bit about the caloric intake. Oh yes, the sweat will drip off of your forehead and down the back of your neck.

I dare you, to let go in the kitchen.

Enjoy,

Christine!!