If you do not take the time to prepare your roux properly, it will alter your entire dish. Is it still edible, sure, lumps and all. Will you enjoy that dry, bitter pill in your dinner? Probably not. Will you enjoy the gummy, grainy taste of the flour not properly browned? Probably not.
Take the time, take your time in the preparation’s in the beginning. Add the fat, whisk in the flour. There you go. What a beautiful paste. Keep on stirring, let it thicken as it browns and expands while tightening up at the same time. Look at that gorgeous roux!
Now it’s time to add your liquid, a little at a time. Stock, milk, water, whatever sauce you are making, take your time. A half cup, whisk it in, really incorporate it, let it bubble to temperature. Keep at it, a half cup at a time until you have the perfect consistency. Beautiful!
Let’s taste it, what does it need? Salt, pepper? Lemon? Butter? Butter and lemon, divine! The sauce you have created, the accoutrement will add excitement to your main dish. It’s all about flavor and texture, quality ingredients.
Our lives are the same way. The age old, if you are going to do something, do it right. Well, maybe you don’t know how to do it the right way at first, that’s OK. Don’t just say whatever and push onto something else. Ask for help, look it up. Learn how to do it. When something is learned, it is yours to keep. It is yours forever. How wonderful.
Think of only eating one food for your entire life, how daft. Branch out, a little of this, a little of that. Get out of your comfort zone, push yourself, just a little extra nudge will do it. Put in the extra effort, you are worth the work. I promise you that.
Set your table for this beautiful meal you have created. Admire it, pat yourself on the back, give credit where credit is due. Call your family in, call a friend. There is no need to dine alone. Light the candles, pour the wine, celebrate the moment. Savor each bite, chew slowly, be present.
“How was your day dear?” is not just a relic from your grandparents day. Talk, inquire, listen. Take the time to connect and enjoy each other. It matters. It matters. It matters.
Channeled message from Julia Child. There’s more to Julia than just her famous French chef persona! She was the recipient of the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the National Order of the Legion of Honor Award for her contributions to The Office of Strategic Services. This was the intelligence agency of the United States during World War ll.
I smelled cigarette smoke yesterday and smelled it again this morning right before my conversation with Julia. I asked if that was her and she said, “Yes dear, yes.” I asked if there was anything else before I go, this is her response, “Clean as you go. Keep your work space tidy. A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen.” I say, “In love, I thank you Julia.” Julia says, “In love and good gravy, toodle-oo!