This Sunday marks the first night I really cooked in Congo. So, of course, I had to pay homage to my parents’ homeland and fulfill the request and cravings of others here with me with Pad Thai. Surprisingly enough…the necessary ingredients are able to be found here in Congo…not that it didn’t take going to 3 different markets to find it all. In actuality, 4 markets but the last one closed on us. In any case, we were successful in finding enough to make an authentic pad thai my mom would be quite proud of. The good ole days of being in the kitchen at my parents’ restaurant came rushing back to me…as I could not remember the last time I even cooked pad thai. It has been a very long time since I’ve cooked this dish. But of course, my mom’s recipe is ingrained into my memory. I will never be as great of a cook as my mom but I do know that tonight would have made her beam with pride as it was enjoyed by all who had a taste.
What is it about cooking that is so soothing and therapeutic? How one can just spend countless hours away in the kitchen…it’s magical actually. Ok, so maybe for someone like me who isn’t in the kitchen ALL the time, really enjoys the time I do spend in the kitchen…well, for me, cooking for others to come together to share a meal together is enough reason for me to have a go in the kitchen. What better reason to bring good people together if not for good food?? So this of course leads me to the upcoming holiday feasts we all look forward to. I always love this time of year….from Halloween to the end of the year/beginning of the new year–even though this has been the busiest time of the year for me work-wise for the last 5 years—I love this time of year. I started a tradition many years ago—having a holiday dinner party at my parents’ house. It was only a 5 year run BUT it may have to come out of hiatus upon my return back home to the states this year especially since I will be in congo for thanksgiving. The first ever thanksgiving I have not been with my family for. I am super bummed that I will not be home so for all of you who are home with your family, please enjoy extra for me and give even greater thanks to be together. Have an extra round at the table and an extra slice of pumpkin, pecan and/or apple pie for me!
Looks delicious!
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