for the love of good food

the ultimate love language

Happy Love day to you all <3

I recently came across an article titled, “Destiny’s Julia Child” (clickbait), and there was a line that really stuck out to me. “The crucial similarity between the love of food and the love of a person is that in both cases experience does not save us from mistakes”. How sad, but true, but beautiful is that. And weirdly comforting? We are all perfectly imperfect, in love, and in cooking.

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” ~ Julia Child

Whether or not you have a special Valentine, today is a day to celebrate love, in all forms. Whether or not your dominant love language is giving or receiving gifts, today is a day to celebrate love, in all forms. You are my Valentine, and I would like to celebrate love through food.

Speaking of love languages, (you should really take the quiz if you haven’t already) I believe that food is an amalgamation of all five. Cooking may be the highest act of service (IMHO), it can also be considered a gift (my favorite to give/receive), it’s certainly quality time spent, compliments to the chef are often words of affirmation, and lastly, when appropriate, physical touch may surely be a factor (in the privacy of your home ofc). If we’re going really deep here, food also combines all 5 senses. It can do it all!

You thought I would write a love letter about food and not talk about The Bear? (spoiler alert) Let’s take a moment to remember that when Carmy realizes he really loves Claire, he goes home and makes her bolognese. And then they make love. Same same.

In my family, love has always been demonstrated best through food. Waking up to the smells of bacon and toasted bread on a Saturday morning, slurping down chicken noodle soup on a sick day, breakfast in bed on my birthday, late night grilled cheese sandwiches (my Dad insisted on using Kraft American singles…), or a perfectly roasted chicken on a Sunday night. These are my favorite memories.

love is…your Dad keeping your breakfast warm while you sleep in

It’s no surprise that when words fail me, I, too, turn to food.

If you’re opting out of dining a la prix-fixe menu, I salute you. I also encourage you to cook at home! For a loved one, for your best pals, or for yourself. And for the reasons listed above, there is no better way to show your people (or yourself) love and appreciation.

If cooking isn’t in the cards, I get it. Order in from your favorite spot(s), and set the table in a way that makes it feel special. Tablecloth, candles, flowers, beautiful plates or napkins, perhaps a vibey playlist (below), and for the love of God, please turn off the fluorescent overhead lighting.

If cooking IS in the cards, fantastic.

Last Friday I made a revised version of an old favorite : Spicy crab + tomato pasta. This time, I caramelized heaps of shallots and topped the pasta with garlicky breadcrumbs, burrata, and basil. Divine. If someone made me this on Valentine’s Day, or any day for that matter, I’d fall head over heels.