Written by Lucius
I make a lot of sauces, basically everything i make in the kitchen harmonizes into a different saucy version of itself. . Never to be repeated (even if i tried) and i like it that way. There is something mysterious about combining various ingredients with all different backgrounds, textures, shapes, flavors, feelings. With some patience and the right energy those simple ingredients will either transform into something beautiful or something less beautiful but typically still good. The times I have to worry about my food tasting mediocre is when I’m in a rush, my body can sense a busy mind, thus revealing itself through my dish. A calm mind is a love language that spreads into everything you touch: that’s where you want to be. The outcome to making a delicious dish revolves around your ingredients at hand, and a positive mindset to make them into what you want them to become. Ahhh yes, the choice is yours.
Which brings me back, to this “one time”.
I was inspired by some Elk Sausage I found in the freezer and cute mini vine tomatoes. I separated the meat in half: One half to use for my main sauce and the other to make meatballs. I started my sauce like i always do- chopped onion sizzled in butter/oil/salt cooked in the remains of the meat juice that was browned moments before. Sometimes I’ll add a dried herbs to the onion after it starts smelling nice, but I never hurry the process of sauce. Once I’m committed to the process of cooking, I like to curate the whole experience. From the music playing in the background, to manipulating my ingredients step by step, nothing I make is ever the same and maybe there is a message as to why, the answer remains layered in my process somewhere. Beyond the layers are small moments, mostly filled with joy, if not all… like that “one time”, I mentioned earlier.
My spaghetti sauce was deep in the transformation stages, so it needed a little alone time. This is a special moment between you and your dish because the feeling is mutual . Alone at last. I was in the kitchen soaking in the moment, when my love brought over a glass of red wine delivered with a little kiss. This moment in the kitchen with me, him, and the sauce could be described as a modern day ménage à trois, all wrapped up in an aphrodisiac sitcom. Me, you, and the sauce…a domestic trio. The pot was covered and the curtains were closed, our equivalent formula to setting the mood for the perfect sauce was both private and passionate. As I was saying, that “one time” my body aligned with what I’d imagine the sauce endured during that time. I didn’t see it to be magical until later, in the moment it just felt like the usual soul bearing connection I share with my partner. When we were done, I sprung forth to check the meatballs- that was the real game changer. I took them out of the oven and my eyes dropped down towards the juicy layer of liquid at the bottom of the pan. It was such a juicy moment, and I grinned as I poured in the rich liquid layer of residue into my mother sauce, like I said before, GAME CHANGER.
Inspiration will surface at any given moment, sometimes you’ll take time to question it. Other times, you’ll go with your gut in an instant, like this time. My magical sauce could not have been made possible without patience, without love, without innovation. Take it in baby, take it all in.
I might share a recipe in the future. But for now, I’ll leave you with these short food clips and a relaxed ambience.
Thymes with Lucius 