I'll not divulge what foods I'm looking at, but on the planning itself - checking out recipe after recipe, YouTube, Cooks Illustrated, prepping some veggies, ok, like fresh fennel bulb ... and then this and that, and so forth.
I felt like a conductor ... but, then, I've never been a conductor, so what do I know?
But, then, maybe a field marshal ... but I've never done that either.
Oh well ...
First this, and then that ... maybe, maybe not ... add a bit? ... will that merge well? garnish with oh yeah yum yum ... and we're off and running.
I love to cook ... it's relaxing and energizing ... and while I can defer to things I know well, ever so often a challenging new recipe is good for the soul.
And when it's ready, to bring the plated food to the table, join the guests, and say bon appetite. I never take a bite myself, until I've seen my guests take their first bites - I watch carefully ... and listen, too ... a shake of the head, Mmm or yum, and "O gosh, this is really good" ... and my day is complete. Sometimes the food ain't so great - oh well ... friendship yet covers a multitude of sins.
Some things always work ... some things need some work ... but cooking for friends is one of my life's great delights. It's an art form, it's never ever finished, there's always something more to learn, an improvement to be made, an ingredient to be added, or left out ... but the smile of friends around a table, a drink or two, and laughter ... and the soul is happy and content.
