Love in the Kitchen

There have been many crafts that I have take up over the years, looking for something that might stick, or become a passion of mine: scrapbooking, coloring, writing, singing, redecorating and reorganizing rooms of my house. But nothing really compares to being alone in the kitchen.

I practically grew up in the kitchen. With my mom being Jewish and my dad an Italian man, I was shown the many ways of appeasing to people with food. There were many different recipes growing up that were incorporated into daily life, but looked different for other people. My parents grew up in Long Island, New York, but I grew up in North Carolina; very different ways of life and culture. Down south everything has a slow, sweet way of doing things, which is a stark contrast to the fast-paced ways of up north. But, with the north comes their unique recipes.

I've had my fair share of Knish and Kugel, homemade eggplant parmesan and Antipasto, Matzo Ball Soup and bagels with cream cheese and lox, and cannoli's and rainbow cookies. My family equates food with quality time, so we're always communing over it. Being able to get my hands in the kitchen and learn first-hand how to make recipes that have been in my family for generations is something I cannot thank my parents for enough.

Now as a single 22 year old, I truly thank my parents for showing me my way around a kitchen. Anytime I need to bring something to a party, or if I get a hankering for my mom's matzo latkes, I know exactly how and what to do.

Being able to spend time in a kitchen, lay out all of your ingredients, gather your bowls and measuring materials, then leisurely put together your creation, tweaking it with extra flavors, is almost serene. Whenever you have time alone, with no deadlines or reasons to be making something other than to enjoy it once you're finished, is incomparable. Putting time and effort into your meals and genuinely making it your own is a pleasure I unashamedly take part in.

I usually enjoy baking, not bread or savory things, but the sweet, glazed pastries; cakes, cookies, pies, brownies, sweet breads. There are many different sweets that I have made over the years, and with each new recipe comes new ideas. I usually put on one of my many aprons, and slowly gather my ingredients and materials. Being able to work on something, without needing it to be perfect or having other people put their expectations on me and my creation, is something I have eventually come to crave. I do it for me. I do it for the end result of creating something new, because no two concoctions are alike. I do it for the finished product, being able to relish in the new flavors, and the emotions that go into it. When I get to enjoy my creations, I see what else I can do to make it even better for the next "experiment". Does it needs more cinnamon, or do I add chocolate chips? Should I try new substitutions for things I never knew could be exchanged out? I am able to stop in the middle of mixing and start new, just because I wanted to or if I don't like it, somehow puts me at ease. Making something with my own hands, and doing it on my own terms gives a sense of calm.

Baking is another way I get to know myself better. I get to see my hands create, calm and confident. I see my eyes measuring, making sure ingredients amount to just the right amount. I see my patience in waiting for my new creation to bake. I see my delight in trying and enjoying something new, only for me.