There are supposedly 5 love languages. Acts of service. Words of Affirmation. Quality Time. & Receiving gifts. I am adding Cooking as a language. lol. I think cooking as a love language has been a way for all the people in my family to express how we feel about a person or a people.
We have family events, birthdays, and just about any occasion to cook for our guest. Those people that love to eat the food we cooked with love show up to enjoy. They even ask the question, "Who cooked and who cooked what?" They know that whomever they wanted to have cooked, cooked the food with love and it's going to taste great!
My mom always told me, when you cook, cook with colors because people eat with their eyes first. I say that to say the plate should be colorful. Reds, green, yellow, and oranges. No one wants a plate with just browns and green on the plate.
I know that we cook for our children and family to make sure they have their four food groups. This necessity cooking is more like a chore than poring love into it. "I have to feed my kids, wife, husband". Is the thought, and after a long days work schedule you just need to put food on the table and in their stomach. Unless it's for Holidays then the love is poured in. Planned and even pre-seasoned the night before a big Holiday event.
A time comes when the children are older, and you find a new joy in cooking. I know I did over time. This is an idea for those who are not home cooks or chefs, or event caterers, they already love cooking. So much so this is their life. For regular cooks, like me, cooking became a release, an experience. The food I cook for myself, and others makes me and them full. I say that to say have you ever eaten food that was delivery, or at a restaurant and you still feel unsatisfied, not full, not sustained? I have. I notice when I cook for myself, I am more than full. Love is poured in. Cooking with intention, seasoning with love, being positive as you sprinkle those seasoning in your food.
I make cooking now an event, I have my wine and music playing as I chop and season my food, I even stir the food as it's cooking thinking positive knowing this is going to be delicious! Make cooking, serving food a love language. I enjoy watching people eat my food. I always have. When they ask for seconds or clean their plate or ask how did you come up with this pairing? It warms my soul. I hope my food will warm their souls as well.
I used to cook a big gumbo for the family to come over and enjoy, with specialty drinks, and dessert. It was an event. So much so people still ask when I will do these events again. I no longer eat meat so there was no need to make gumbo again. Or invite people over with judgement flowing through their hearts and minds. I have been playing with a vegan version and tweaking it. Just because I love the vegan version doesn't mean my guest will. I am working on it. The roux is the same. When my biggest critic tries it and likes it, I'll add the recipe.
People are quick to turn their nose up when they know meat is not included in a dish. I want to change that for people. Even if you're not vegetarian or vegan, I want you to enjoy my food and recipes and having meat in it or not should not be an issue. I want one to say the dish was good, and you were amazed, and want more. The idea of meat not included won't cross your mind.
Cook your food with good intentions. Make it an event or experience. Pour love into your food. You'll be surprised how many people will start to enjoy your food because they felt the love you put in. Make cooking your new language.
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