You probably have heard the following saying, once or twice in your life. “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. Cooking food for a man (or anyone) is a good way to win his (their) affections. And in the past seven years, that has certainly proven to have a deep truth to it. When you’ll find yourself in a position of frequent cooking, for someone, or your family, you will start to experience the ease of with your food can sooth arguments, stir up an evening, or make grown men weep.
Seriously, a heavenly tarte tatin, a full Sunday roast, home-baked bread, a sweet-and-slightly-sour cherry pie and a wicked tomato chutney, all have the power to make someone weep. Werther said weeping is through joy or horror of being forced to eat it, is up to you.
To start off, there is probably something your parents, or you grandmother, haven’t told you about cooking. Magic. Good food, great food, takes magic to get it done. How? Well, first of all, you wash your hands before anything, and you pray over the ingredients. You pray to Mary, and whatever saint you think you need, to bless the food. Blessings will season any food to the max. So be sure to use them well and ample. But don’t forget the physical seasoning! The second thing is; tell your fruit/vegetables/butter/whatever, how darn good and tasty they look. And how much better it will be when you’ve combined them. It may sound silly, but just do it. No ‘but’s‘, just crack on with it.
When you are cooking be sure to repeat a prayer or two. Or combine actions. With adding salt, hold the salt, while you quickly whisper a prayer to Mary. Or any saint. Then add it. Also, when you add fresh herbs from your own garden, thank the plant for it’s aroma/flavor. Make cooking a living thing, the magic will follow.
This also goes into cooking family dishes. Making something you remember your grandmother used to make, but don’t have her recipe? Pray and ask her to be with you, to guide your spoon and hand. Sing songs when you can, especially the one in your mother tongue. This will go into the food, especially when you stir them in. Usually go clock-wise, for good luck, and especially when adding seasoning/herbs/blessings. Because you want your food to ‘grow’ in flavor.
Last of all; keep your kitchenclean and well organised! Or at least clean. When you clean your kitchen, light a candle afterwards or during. And pray, sprinkle any scented water around, or wash with it. Pay special attention to the door into the kitchen, and the backdoor, if that is also in the kitchen. Clean them frequently, even if it is a quick wipe down with a damn cloth. Here is were the energy comes and goes. And god know’s what people drag into your kitchen on a daily basis. Keeping a cross, or a Rosary there would be a good idea. A statue of Mary would be even better.
That was all for now. You can find the previous tip *here*
