I LOVE eating! Who doesn't? But more recently I've really got to thinking about how I sometimes don't even taste the food I eat. There's so much more to it than just shovelling it in don't you think?!!! For an activity I hold dear, I don't always give it the attention it deserves. Two things have highlighted this to me recently; The first was when, as a result of a virus, I haven't been able to smell a thing! Consequently, everything I've consumed has been bland and devoid of taste! Eating really does need to be a whole sensory experience! I need to smell my food to thoroughly enjoy it; similarly, presentation is paramount! Isn't it great to cast your eyes over a rainbow of fresh ingredients rather than a splodge of brown trying to pass itself off as a chilli con carne? And who doesn't love that moment when you eat a chocolate eclair to have the cream squish out of the sides so you end up licking it off your fingertips......eclairs... let's face it, you never eat THEM in company? Anyway, what I'm saying is, do we pay enough attention to our meal times and the food we eat? I eat the same cardboard toast every morning because it's quick and can be digested (I use this term loosely!!) somewhere between me tripping over a yarling cat and looking for my car keys. What does it taste of.......precisely nothing!
Which brings me onto my second example. Despite my milky pallor and snotty nose, my lovely hub had booked us a night away. The first one in years that wasn't work related so I was understandably over-joyed. We ended up at a wonderful hotel in Helmsley, North Yorkshire - fabulous rooms, gastronomic fayre and spa including outdoor hot-tub - what more could a girl ask for? Anyway, it turns out that we were booked in for a "Food lovers" weekend - woooo hooooo! We started off with afternoon tea. Teeny scones resplendent on tiered cake stand, clotted cream and jam all washed down with loose leaf tea! As we snuggled in beside the cosy fire, we both eyed the scones and thought....hmmm they look a tad small. However, they were fresh from the oven, perfectly cooked and after two each we both felt happy and satisfied. Eyes bigger than belly? I think so!
This was tested later as we came down for dinner - would we choose the 3 course a la carte or the 5 course "tasting" menu? Now we always play safe, choosing our favourite meals over and over so, in the spirit of adventure we chose the former. Our first course arrived! Celeriac soup with cauliflower pickle. It came in the tiniest of bowls - gosh this really is just ...a taster! Gulp! Now it was at this point that hub said "I think we might have to order the optional cheeseboard because, if these portions are anything to go by, we are gonna be starving"! However, buoyed by the appearance of 4 freshly baked bread rolls we.....well I was going to say "ploughed on" but that implies the soups were bigger than they were!! Let's say...we delved in!! As the portions were so tiny it made me eat slowly, taking small spoonfuls and savouring every mouthful. It was exquisite! It seriously was! So I slowed down even further, not wanting this wonderful taste sensation to end! As I finished the soup it was all I could do to stop myself scraping the soup spoon across the dish in a vain attempt to find one more mouthful. Heaven! The rest of the meal followed in a similar vein - dish after dish of teeny tiny portions of superb food, all presented like works of art, the attention to detail quite breathtaking. It made me think of the Chef who must have been mindful as he cooked the food - really in the moment bringing together an array of wonderful ingredients just at the right time. Then, presenting it with such care and flourish - which all added to our experience of eating it and we appreciated it so much more.
And so, a wonderful gastronomic experience was had by all. Surprisingly, despite small portions, by the end of our 5 courses we had no need for the cheeseboard - we were completely full to the brim. Now is that because our palates were satisfied rather than tummies? Or because we ate much more slowly and savoured every mouthful? Who knows! But it was a real learning experience that has made me rethink my attitude to food and consequently, I will try and savour things a little more and be mindful when I eat.
Most humorous point in the evening came when the slightly quirky wine waiter came over and asked for our choice. Not being big drinkers and also if I'm honest, mindful of the cost, I chose a half bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. It was duly brought to the table by said waiter, wry smile on lips who asked me if it was the correct bottle and would madam like to taste it! I really felt like I wanted to giggle (a) from nerves and (b) because our half bottle was so little it looked just like a bottle of Balsamic Vinegar!!! Oh the shame! I don't know why I worried though - everyone else in the room bought their wine by the glass!!! Riff raff!
Happy eating!
Mindfulmissyxx
ps Just in case you fancy a gastronomic experience http://www.fevershamarmshotel.com/
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