The food I love…

“Thank you God for the food I love and for the food that loves me.”    -Me at 3, bedtime prayer

Yep. I love my food. I probably think a little too much about it (well, I know I do) but food is a happy thing for me! Not only does food taste so good and fill your belly, it’s fun to make and it brings people together too.

I’ve recently discovered I really like oysters. The texture takes some getting used to, but a nice, spicy cocktail sauce helps! (You could call me saucy, as many foods are honestly a convenient avenue for sauce, any sauce.) Other saucy people out there? ☺ So last week, when my family went to Taylor Shellfish Farms on Samish Bay, WA, I was excited to try my hand at shucking and slurping some oysters. It was an absolutely gorgeous evening as the sun set over the water, filled with tasty seafood and the best of company. Definitely a memory I’ll cherish.

Earlier this week, I visited my friend before she moves across the country for nursing school. You go girl! We’ve shared a lot together over the last four years at WSU, and I’m really going to miss her. Fun fact: We both love a good meal. One of our favorite Saturday activities in college was brunch at the restaurant, Bloom, in Moscow, ID. We’d split a delicious scramble with bacon, chèvre and avocado (mmm..) and she made it before I hit the road home after our final visit for a while. Cheers, Han!

This morning, feeling inspired and thinking of her, as she flew to New York today, I made a scramble too. Eggs are the perfect vehicle for veggies, meats, cheeses… basically anything! I sautéed some orange bell pepper in olive oil with spinach and turkey before topping my egg dish with lots of goat cheese (or ooey, gooey goodness if you ask me) I was pretty proud of my presentation…

Soup is also a favorite dish of mine. When I was in school and living in my sorority house, our chef, Terry, was the King of Soups – they were just plain yummy. I’d have a few helpings every day at lunch, and more days than not, snag a bowl to put in my mini-fridge for later!

Last night, after a fruitful trip to the grocery store (the act of shopping for food is also a guilty pleasure of mine) I made a recipe my sister’s roommate, Emily, discovered. Sweet Italian sausage and rosemary… this soup had me at hello! I topped my bowl with grated parmesan and cozied up on the couch by candlelight to enjoy a ‘few’ helpings.

Not only do we need food, it’s good for the soul. Whether sharing it with family and friends, being a reminder of someone you love or miss, or making something new on your own – a meal can be special and a memory-maker.

Even if you don’t, well, obsess over food like I do, I’m sure we can all agree…

Thank you God for the food WE love, and for the food that loves US!