My Relationship with Food

So, why do I eat? I eat for a number of reasons, none of which are unique to me. I eat socially, preferring the company of friends to eating by myself. I eat when I am bored, a terrible habit that I try time and again to get rid of by saying to myself, "Will I be any happier in ten minutes because I ate this handful of almonds? What about this Pirouette cookie?" It is extremely successful when I do remember to ask myself those things but the asking doesn't always happen.

Most importantly, I eat because it gives me pleasure. Don't go taking that the nasty sexual way that some of y'all do. It is pleasing from my ears to my toes to bite into something delicious, especially if I made it myself, or better yet, with friends. Everyone says that it's better to make it yourself, and you know why they all say that? 'Cause it's true. It's the same with all those terrible clichés. There's a reason that they have stood the test of time. When you see and smell and hear and taste and touch everything that goes into your meal, you gain confidence, knowledge, expectation, and anticipation. I swear that your logic and common sense will improve, too. "Hmm... is it a good idea to ever make a sugar-free/low-carb version of a baked good?" The answer is no.

Pizza was made from scratch the other day with real semolina flour and EVOO and artichoke hearts and olives and pepperoni and straight up tomato sauce. No white flour. No sugar. No bullshit. It was laborious and glorious.

I finally got a summer job, so once that first paycheck comes in, I can eat something other than cold cereal and oatmeal for 18 meals a week!

chez Belghali

Sfa:
tons of angel hair, cut up
cinnamon
sugar
raisins

We used our largest plate to serve all 3kilos of this bad boy. Mother had been generous with the raisins. We had three small bowls of powdered sugar around the table for people to have as much as they wanted. Hanane, Mohammad, Mother, Uncle, and I did not finish it all.

Brahim Says

Moroccan pancakes
sauce: butter and honey
palmiers
coffee
tea
milk

The CCCL is having a two-day training session for some newly hired staff people, and Brahim serves a snack and lunch. Today's snack was 80% sugar and, upon departure of the staff people, was annihilated in ten minutes by a very enthusiastic bundle of students.

Brahim Says

Stewed pumpkin:
Onion, salt, oil, black pepper, garlic, cinnamon, half sugar (3tbs/kilo pumpkin), small bit of water when sticky; add pumpkin, saffron; boil, remaining half of sugar (or honey); raisins at very end

Shuulah:
Paprika, salt, black pepper, oil, parsley, saffron, cumin to make sauce; add fish and simmer

Is This Rice?

Risoni
milk
butter
sugar cubes

A sweet dinner dish that was wholly unexpected. Mother took three sugar cubes; I took only one.

Ouazzane Peasant Couscous

couscous
five to six regional lettuces and herbs
hand-pressed olive oil
whole garlic cloves
beef (optional)

Thanks to Farah for blessing my palette time and again. This couscous is unique and no longer made by the locals because it is indicates peasant status as the ingredients are very cheap. Garlic in general is associated with peasant fare. Mint tea with Ouazzane spearmint and peppermint followed. No sugar!

Mexican Night chez Kim

1/2 kilo avocado
1 kilo tomato
1/2 kilo red onion
1 kilo lemon
1 bunch parsley
1 bunch Moroccan lettuce
1 bulb garlic
2 bags of shredded cheese
1 can corn
8 oz crème fraîche
2 bags pita bread
1L Coke
750mL Coca Lite
1 bottle red wine

All of this cost minus wine just under $12. After making salsa (tomatoes, onions, garlic, lemon), guacamole (avocado, tomato, onion, garlic, lemon), parsley salad (parsley, lemon, salt, pepper), sweet corn (corn, sugar, oil), sautéeing onions, and melting cheese onto pita bread, the five of us had a most fantastic feast while watching Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.