I love this article, written by an academic, about how she likes the bake because it's the best way for her to express her affection for others.
She talks about how she and her sister used to bake cookies for her mother on nights when she worked late. It made me think about myself when I was young. I used to do the same thing myself. I loved to bake cookies, oddly, because my mother wasn't really into baking and she never once made cookies. But somehow I was really drawn to cookie recipes, probably because they are relatively simple in terms of technique and relatively quick to bake. And also because, let's face it, who DOESN'T love cookies?
One of my favorite recipes was peanut butter blossoms, a recipe I found in a Pillsbury cookies magazine my mother had probably gotten free as part of a supermarket promotion or something. I remember how much I loved those cookies (even though I made them without the kisses on top, because they were the one ingredient we didn't have just sitting around the house), and I also love how much I enjoying tricking my father into eating them. He hates peanut butter, but yet he ate these cookies every time I made them and said they were good, every time. I guess no one can resist a cookie.
I still enjoy making cookies. I've got some baking books and am enjoying going through them and trying new flavors beyond the usual chocolate chip and oatmeal. I recently made some chocolate gingerbread cookies that were amazingly delicious and took them to a party where they were a big hit. Like Therese Huston in the article, I find that making cookies is like an expression of what I feel inside, a little circular externalization of my emotions. They are a great way for me to nonverbally bring a little comfort and happiness to my friends and loved ones. All cooking, I think, is an expression of love for others, but there's just something about baking that really gets to the heart for me, these little sweet bits of love.
Is there a certain food you like to make that encompasses your love for your friends and family, a food that expresses what you feel inside in an edible way?
4 comments:
What a sweet post! I flagged that article to read.
I share love mostly through my baking. I have guinea pigs who very willingly test out my newest dessert creations. I love their reactions and I love baking for them.
I also find it very loving to create a big crockpot full of soup, stew or Chili for Carlos. Something that I know will be flavorful, filling and warm. Seeing him devour it makes my heart sing.
Love this post! It reminds me that when I cook dinner every night, I'm doing it out of love and that I shouldn't think of it as such a chore.
Casseroles, for my family and me, are very much how we show love. As a somewhat reserved family, a good hearty casserole gives as much comfort as a hug might under different circumstances.
Love this post! It reminds me that I shouldn't think of cooking dinner every night as a chore, but rather as a way of showing love to my husband and friends.
For my family and me, casseroles are very much a way of showing love. As a pretty reserved family, a casserole can provide as much comfort as a big hug and smile.
I love making cupcakes for coworkers and friends. Very easy, but it takes a lot of time to frost all those darn things!
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