Over the Christmas Holidays I sat on a high stool in the kitchen of my friend and watched her move about with lithe and melodic steps. Her hands held the eggplant, then the garlic, chopped the onion, and squash, then brushed on the veil of oil and the taste of salt making a medley of verdura to roast in the oven.
Tonight I moved in my own kitchen, sipping a glass of red wine, listening to recorded male voices serenade me in various languages. I could feel the breezes of foreign places where I have sat and sipped, and savoured and watched the footsteps and gait of those passing. The scent of strong coffee in Sorrento, Napoli, or Budapest, a side street in Kerch, a cafe tucked away in Belfast, or under the bright sun of Sofia...my mind remembers and my hands move to prepare my own roast vegetable medley for dinner.
Vegetables that have so much variety in colour, in texture, in taste, and in season or out of season they will bring you the richness that came as they were firmly nestled in the fertile soul that nurtured them.
As I hold them in my hands to prepare my evening meal I wonder why so often I neglect to give myself the gift of a delightful repast when I am alone?
I am remembering a conversation earlier today where I spoke of my desire to be more intentional as I carry out my creating as a Culinary Minister. Portions of my being know that there is more, more to give, more to be intentional about. Like the cellist who embraces the instrument more tenderly and listens for notes that hover, waiting for the chance to be heard with more purity and clarity, I too know there is more. Oh yes I prepare the menu, gather the ingredients, portion them out, prepare them and present them, but there is a scent, a precious scent that longs to have a more fragrant voice. Intention is a segment of this longing, breath another, purpose, voice...hovering where I cannot yet define it lies more. Watching the Maestro prepare creations, prepare for the unveiling there is tension and expectancy that is pregnant with life giving energy. Perhaps that is it - life giving energy is part of the fragrance that I long to serve with any repast. To become so attuned to the Spirit within, the Artist and Gift giver who has taken up residence in my soul, that when a culinary dish is taken to the table, I am aware that the Divine was there in the process. In the life giving energy is also the invitation to all who partake of it to come, dine, and receive Life in abundance. Is it possible that the soul can hear the Almighty whisper 'LIVE' when you come and dine?
The roasted eggplant, leaks, peppers, and mushrooms are roasted and sprinkled with balsamic vinegar. The invitation to dine has been given by my unseen but ever present Guest. An invitation to come a savour this moment of being present in my own gift of life.