Rooms Actually

In Virginia's day it was a "room". For me kitchen of one's own which is the heart and soul of my home. So I shall recount some of my culinary and life experiences as it relates to that center of my universe.

I begin there in the kitchen where I prepared a dinner for two dear friends who hadn't seen each other in quite a while. There is something so wonderful about preparing a meal for those you care about. Not having any children or very little surviving family (despite my age), I have the privlege of choosing my family in the way of dear friends. Bringing friends together in a celebration of reunion and an upcoming birthday was a perfect excuse to eat, laugh and share recent stories not heard before. The menu was fairly simple: beef...steak, actually, as the soon to be birthday girl loves red meat (being the Texan that she is) marinated in olive oil, garlic and chopped fresh rosemary and salt and fresh ground pepper of course. The sides were simple as well...roasted tomatoes in balsamic vinegar, a cantelope, prosciutto, fresh mozzarela and arugula salad. So perfect for summer. And then some couscous with almonds, parlsey, and a few other herbs and spices. For dessert, a lovely trifle inspired by my new favorite, Nigel, with red currents, blackberries and blueberries. We were so full from dinner that I had to send the dessert home wiith them. But it was so divine...light as a feather with the marscapone and whipped cream. Made with heavy whipped cream, I might add. Who cares about calories when one is preparing a celebratory meal. We were up until one or two laughing, talking astrology and hanging out in the kitchen while I cleaned up a bit and made soy lattes. It's so odd how people always like to converge in the kitchen. Even at large parties there is always a large group hanging out in the kitchen. Perhaps because it makes people feel more at home and it does have such a warm vibe to it. We all had such a wonderful time...the best in a long time for all of us. I realized at the moment when the last of latte was drained from my mug how much I enjoyed the company of dear friends in my home and vowed that it would not be six months or a year before I would have another gathering.