Honestly, Mondays just aren't my thing. I have seven classes, and besides the adorable Juniors, it's a pretty lackluster lineup. I have to feign enthusiasm (if I can bring myself to do so) and deal with my least favorite class. I guess I can't really complain, as it's the only day of the week I'm not pumped about life... But still. Eh. And today I didn't even get my dose of Bach boys and girl at all! :(
My only real news of the day is that I decided today would be a good day to make a gourmet meal for absolutely no reason other than the fact that I felt like it.
Katie and I went to Carrefour together and I went crazy. I spent an hour in the kitchen with all my groceries and prepared steak, garlic cheesy mashed potatoes (God I wish mine ever tasted half as good as J's... I wonder if there is anything stupid like that she ever misses about me!?) and sautéed mushrooms. It wasn't the most incredible meal ever, but I was pretty satisfied by the end and celebrated my success with half a pack of double stuffed Oreos and horchata! :)
One thing I'm starting to really notice is how my taste in food is changing... And it's kinda freaking me out, to be honest. Whereas six months ago Oreos would have never been considered a viable option for dessert, now I pair them with a little cream cheese and a bottle of horchata and it's absolutely a delicious treat! Or I go to lunch and get excited when it's fried eggs with french fries (I dip the French fries in the yolk and it's sooo good)... Or when it's paella... Or when it's battered, flavorless fish (which I squeeze copious amounts of lemon on)... Or when it's super soggy pasta. Fresh bread makes the best snack in the world with a little honey goat cheese on it (bonus is if I have fresh broccoli with Ranch on the side). And lately? My dinner on the run has been a smoked salmon sandwich with cream cheese and hard boiled eggs, with an Orange Fanta (bonus if I remember to bring sea salt and balsamic vinegar chips with me) from a cheap little restaurant by where I work in Madrid at night. Melon is the most exciting dessert I have ever seen, I do a happy dance if there's coconut yogurt for dessert after lunch and it feels wrong to eat a brownie without strawberries or raspberries on it, now that they're back in season. I only drink water with lunch, and always drink wine with dinner.
My taste buds and tummy have officially adjusted to Spanish cuisine, and it's royally petrifying. But, at the same time, much healthier and has made me lose 15 lbs. on accident... So I guess I'm not exactly complaining. But when I think of how much food, and how diverse and flavorful the food J and I ate last year every day was... I miss it a lot and I miss is not at all at the same time. I know it was more delicious and exciting, but the food here is so incredibly cheap, and so much better for you... And because it's not a party in your mouth every time you dine, you suddenly stop having the desire to eat unless you truly are hungry. And I kinda think that's how food was originally meant to be. Sure, I splurge on Thai thom-kha soup once a month, and I go to the French cookie bakery every week or two. I do make yummy meals at home, also... But it's just... Different. And what's more is... I like it this way. o_O
Don't get me wrong - as soon as I go back to the US, I'm sure to eat every chocolate chip pancake and CPK salad and Cheesecake Factory stuffed mushroom and bowl of phô and piece of sushi I can get my hands on... But for now, I'm blissfully ignorant of the tasty food I'm missing out on in America, and quite happy with the seemingly strange food I've come to enjoy here, that 2011 Chelsea would have gagged at the thought of!
XOXO
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