HolisticGirl
Arnold
Lara MBook Review - Slow Cooking - By Joanne Glynn
April 21st 2006 07:46
When this book first appeared in our household, sitting suggestively on the kitchen bench, I was appalled. “Why?” I exclaimed loudly to anyone that would listen, “Why would anyone actually set out to cook slowly?!”
In my experience even the meals that advertisers purport to be speedy in preparation and cooking time inevitably reveal themselves as significantly more effort, especially to the inexperienced. By my calculations, if we use this ratio and apply it to a meal that is self acclaimed as ‘slow’ then it would surely be an eternity before it is ready to eat.
When I enquired as to how such a ridiculous book had ended up sitting so innocently on the bench I was informed that one of our neighbours had somehow winded up with a surplus copy and decided to donate it to us. (Needless to say, I was a little suspicious. Was she suggesting something about the quality of our meals or did she just have an awful lot of time on her hands?)
After a time I realized that all of these automatic negative reactions on my part were based on a lack of understanding, so I delved into the book to find out more.
The book begins with an introduction to the pleasures of cooking, ranked as important as those of eating. Perhaps this is something we tend to forget when the mind is constantly racing forward and doesn’t rest to consider the intricacy and ritual of preparation. Joanne begins with a flourish, “- transform the usually tedious process of preparation into a soothing, satisfying ritual, one that leads you more deeply into the luxurious rhythms of slow cooking.”
Amongst all this purple prose there is some sense. Preparation can be used a calming tool and the lengthened anticipation will increase your appreciation of the meal. Joanne also suggests that after preparation a long cooking time, which necessarily allows flavours to infuse more fully, is valuable time that should be used to share stories with family and friends.
Though I’m not entirely converted I’m prepared to give this slow cooking business the benefit of the doubt. The ideas about the social nature of cooking are intriguing and the Italian flavour that unites the dishes in this book seem appealing.
For a definitive ruling, I’ll have to wait for a quiet Sunday evening to really put it to the test. Though with the pace of our lives these days I have to admit that this might not be for quite some time…
In my experience even the meals that advertisers purport to be speedy in preparation and cooking time inevitably reveal themselves as significantly more effort, especially to the inexperienced. By my calculations, if we use this ratio and apply it to a meal that is self acclaimed as ‘slow’ then it would surely be an eternity before it is ready to eat.
Cover image - Slow Cooking by Joanne Glynn
After a time I realized that all of these automatic negative reactions on my part were based on a lack of understanding, so I delved into the book to find out more.
Though I’m not entirely converted I’m prepared to give this slow cooking business the benefit of the doubt. The ideas about the social nature of cooking are intriguing and the Italian flavour that unites the dishes in this book seem appealing.
For a definitive ruling, I’ll have to wait for a quiet Sunday evening to really put it to the test. Though with the pace of our lives these days I have to admit that this might not be for quite some time…
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