Mid-Week Meditation on the Meal

Meditation? Yes. Sound a little airy-fairy? Well, my guess is that after last week, most of us could use a couple quiet deep breaths and a little fairy dust despite Monday's big come-back market rally. 

Call it illogical, call it naïve, call it what you will but actually, I'd like to propose instead that a well-made meal could go a long way in solving our current economic crisis (here is where you skip to the bottom, click on the ‘author's bio' link, and find out what sort of quack is writing this stuff).

In what universe do a good meal and a good bottle serve as balms for economic turmoil? Answer: in a universe where the human emotion of panic has an adverse affect on our non-human systems of commerce, credit and financial industry. As Time Magazine's John Cloud put it last week: "The Fed has a lot of tools, but it can't fix a primal human emotion: panic." Enter the meal--the most un-assuming, the most harmless, yet one of the most powerful forces of all time.

As the oldest form of fellowship, the meal stands first and foremost as the transcendent common ground, where for a few moments we press pause on whatever the day's circumstances and just simply. . .  eat and drink. And in that simple act of providing for the human primal need of hunger and thirst, something happens not just to our stomach-but to our souls.  At a well-made meal, shared with friends and family, that primal emotion of panic that has waged war on our peace of mind and ultimately our piece of the pie begins to be seasoned with a little perspective.

Of course, who and what are at the table affect the soul's nourishment to be sure (humble opinions to follow), but try it for yourself. Autumn is here, so braising is back; slow-braise some Niman Ranch beef short ribs, puree some Jerusalem artichokes, make a nice reduction from the braising jus, open up one of the myriad of phenomenal California central coast Rhone varietals (for a real change of grape, try Mister Mourvedre by Core Wines) light some candles, call your loved ones, sit down, raise your glass and take heart that no matter what the S&P looked like last week the view from the table really doesn't get much better than this.

Irresponsible denial in the face of screaming financial complexities? No, I prefer to see it as focused and timely intentionality, returning panorama to the perspective, and using a well-made meal as the balm of calm. Here's to your next meal.

Glad to make my debut here at greenfaucet... looking forward to sharing some of my food and wine secrets with you here in the future!

"All the water in the ocean can't sink a ship unless it gets inside"  -- Anonymous

 

**EDITOR'S NOTE: Live near L.A. and like good food & wine? Only a small percentage of Steve's Room Forty events are open to the public, but this month you're in luck: check out his company's "What's Going On" page and you'll see a number of events coming up this month, each of which has a few seats left (very few in 2 instances). Time/location details are kept confidential until tickets are purchased, and menus are kept secret until that evening-- what a fun experience! Sound risky? It's not, I can personally assure you. And just look at the wineries which fight to team up with Steve--these are the real deal and the winemakers themselves attend, pour wine and talk about their babies. I'm also attending one of these upcoming events myself. Really, check it out-- you won't be disappointed!
--EEJS