
I spent the holiday weekend with a group of friends whose culinary gratitude propelled my passion as a cook to new heights. I am still experiencing waves of pleasure from the gathering, as it was a perfect storm of elements that fostered an environment for the ultimate in casual dining.
It started with my trip to the grocery store, whose array of ingredients had me literally dancing in the aisles. I was childlike in my eagerness to see, touch, smell, taste. There were mushroom varieties I had never seen before; lemongrass stalks by the bushel; exotic ingredients and spices I typically could not find where I live.
I inhaled the freshly-picked cilantro so hard that a leaf went up my nose, along with some dirt. I filled my arms with as much lemongrass as I could carry; it was, after all, my hostess’ favorite herb. My shopping companion was clearly amused at first by my manic display of food fanaticism, but in the end, he could not resist the pull of my delight. By the time we found the truffle-infused cheese selection, we were in gastronomic ecstasy, and the patient soul responsible for our transport started calling every five minutes to see when in hell we'd be finished. When he finally came into the store to find us, his eyes lit up at the sight of a basket full of heaven. On the ride to our destination, my dilly-dallying was further forgiven as stalks of lemongrass were placed under his nose, the luscious scent wafting through his senses.
But that was only the beginning. (
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