My childhood was no walk in the park, but through all the clouds there is a bit of sun that I always love to bask in. Simplicity. I spent my early adolescent on a farm in the middle of no where. I remember my mother attempting to describe the city to me, and I couldn't understand how you would be able to tell where one town ended and another began without empty fields between them. The idea of suburbia was beyond my scope of understanding.
Now, although I spend as much time as possible at the farm, my work often keeps me in the city. When I find myself wanting to go back to the simplicity of my childhood I do so through cooking. Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place to put on a show and cook a meal with all the bells and whistles. However, in the rat race we call life, more often than not, a simple and delicious meal will do more than nourish your body, it will nourish your soul.
Here is what I made a few weeks ago that did just that.
Butternut squash (from Goode Acres in St. Joseph)
keep it whole, put it in the oven at 350 until you put a knife through it and find it soft. Take it out of the oven, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and dab with butter.
Lambchops (from a lamb my sister raised)
I marinaded them in leftover red wine (yes, such a thing as left over wine does exist! I had meant to finish it, but went out of town for more than month. When I got back I found it not fit to drink, but wonderful to cook with.) and stone ground mustard, baked them for a bit, and then put them under the broiler for a little sizzle.
I used 5 ingredients, and it was simple and delicious!
Cheers and Happy Eats!
Lucinda
