The Love that Food Can Bring

Let me tell you that when you go out of your way to try something new, you'll have the time of your life. It's difficult to stray from the mold of your societies or the pressures they contain, yet, food always brings us back. Back to a place of childish freedoms and lack of consequential understanding. For most, Food brings joy, good food that is. Home-made food, not that cheap stuff you'd buy at your local fast-food restaurant. That's not real, it never has been and never will be. Fast food lacks that one key ingredient we all desire, Love.

Togetherness... Comfort in knowing that you can share a memory with your loved ones. One that would be remembered the next time you make Gillo Pinto(a Costa Rican dish made with rice and beans) or even a simple grilled cheese. Food doesn't have to be fancy to share a heartfelt memory. It doesn't need to come from the best chefs money can buy or even from street vendors, all food needs is to come from hands filled with love. Heck, you can fail a few times, and that's okay, as long as you get back on your feet and try again.

All of these lessons were taught to me through the hands of my mother and grandmother. They taught me about the joys of making your own food, about knowing the warmth that comes with cooking a meal for your family and then eating it together. Those are the moments we all take for granted.

One moment that takes me back in time is the moment my mother and I were in the kitchen making a special dish that was taught to her by my grandmother. That moment was filled with messy laughter and lighthearted banter. A moment I cherish closely, making the dish that fuels that memory whenever I need a pick-me-up after a bad day.

Gallo Pinto (Ga-yo P-in-tao) is a Common Costa Rican dish that is often sold in restaurants and made in homes. It is a cost and time-efficient recipe that is extremely simple and easy to make. I implore you to try making it on your own or with your friends and family.

The Recipe:

A cup of white rice

Goya black beans in a can

Worstersause (can add as much as you want)

salt

onion powder (or 1/4 cup of diced onions)

garlic powder (or 1 teaspoon of diced garlic)

Add ons-

1 Avocado cut into slices with a sprinkle of sault

Scrambled eggs (however you make them)

1 small can of Tuna ( mix a spoon full of mayo into the tuna until evenly covered, then add white pepper to taste)

How to make Gallo Pinto:

1: If you have a rice cooker, you're in luck. Put a decent coak of olive oil into the rice cooker pan to prevent the rice from sticking.

2: add garlic, onions, and salt.

3: wash rice then strain the water from the rice, you can use a small hold strainer for this instead of a bowl.

4:dump rice into the rice cooker then uses a cup or the same bowl you used in the previous step and pour enough water to cover the rice but not fill the pot.

5: Turn on the rice cooker and let it run.

Please, start seasoning your rice with salt, garlic, and onion powder, I promise you that will change your life.

6: Once the rice is done grab a skillet and scoop some of the rice and put it in the skillet. (you can use all of the rice or not, the choice is yours)

7: Turn the stove on medium-high heat and add the black beans

8: add Worcestershire sauce and stir.

9: Leave-in pan for 5-10 min or until their is no liquid left. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning.

10:add whatever else you want and you're done.

With food brings new experiences, new adventures, and new favorites. Hopfully, this recepie helps you find something new.