The Magic of Cookery

She isn't much of a cook. She's just stuck a pot of cold water over a high heat, and started chucking stuff in it. This is a good thing, in one way. But it's frustrating for me to watch.

To start with, she didn't tie back her bedraggled hair, but she did keep her hat on, so maybe it will act like a hairnet? She didn't wash her warty hands, either. I suppose this isn't exactly the most sanitary of environments, so maybe it would have been a wasted effort.

If it were me, I'd have heated up a pan first, added a little oil and then butter. Chopped onions, garlic. Maybe she can't tolerate garlic? Poor thing. Lovely stuff. Celery then, cubed up small. Carrots, fresh, and grated perhaps. Bacon, definitely. A touch of chilli, nice and warming, very good for the time of year. Make a base.

Is the woman allergic to seasoning? Forgive my stereotyping, but I thought she'd have been handy with a herb.

A good broth is probably far too much to ask, but not even one from a packet? Not even a stock cube?? I despair.

I flip over, kick against the side, and try a lazy backstroke.

All this stuff isn't even similar sizes, and she's given no thought at all to how long any of it needs to cook through. Some of it is leftovers, so it's already been cooked, and it's fairly bland (no surprise), so it's not like it's imparting any flavour.

Plop. Plop. Plop. Plop. Splosh.

Aha! Here's the good stuff! I take a bite, and another, and another. Yummy!

She peers into the pot, apparently deep in thought. Maybe she's wondering if she needs to pop to Sainsbury's for Eye of Newt. I want to tell her to roll it in seasoned flour and sear it in butter and herbs. Wisdom seizes me and I keep my mouth shut.

She frowns, squinting, and then-

plop splosh plop plop splosh-

I take off again, grabbing as many as I can, and chomping with glee.

The witch bonks me on the head with a ladle. "Hey! Stop eating the potatoes!"

I belch, appreciative to the last.

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Word count - 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and authors note.)

Submitted on Saturday 21st September at 17:40

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 265 daily microfiction story streak since 1st January.

ONE HUNDRED AND ONE DAYS TO GO!

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed! Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments. I will do my best to respond to each one and reciprocate the reads.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

Here are a few more pieces, unconnected to this one, but with a similar theme:

And now for something completely different - a thought provoking and touching piece from simplicity:

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Thank you again!