Keep Trying
Yesterday, I woke up and I was inspired to make nettle soup. I had it once when dining out, and it was lovely and bright and fresh, like springtime in a bowl. Every year when the nettles grow on our driveway, I think to myself that I should be brave and give it a go. I never have, though. Because frankly, I have been stung by nettles many times and it isn’t fun. Generally, I don’t like to go to battle with my produce.
But, yesterday was the day. The nettles were perfect and I decided that I should forage. Never mind that my foraging wouldn’t even take me as far as the mailbox. I am a resourceful woman and I will make the most of what nature is providing.
I donned my heavy coat and gloves, grabbed some clippers, and picked myself some nettles. And I got stung…repeatedly. Apparently garden gloves are no match for a plant that doesn't want to be messed with.
But, oh joy, I eventually had a glorious bounty of nettles, a recipe in hand, my ingredients prepped, and my camera at the ready. I researched the health benefits of nettles (which are seriously impressive), I followed the recipe instructions to a tee, I picked fresh herbs, and I made tasty garnishes. Then, I photographed the heck out of that soup. It was a beeautiful thing, indeed, a work of art.
And… it was terrible. I mean really, really terrible. The flavor was meh, and it was gloopy, something like a cross between the toy Gak my kids used to play with and wall-paper paste. And when it dried, oh gracious, it was impossible to remove. It was a total waste of most of a day. The kitchen was trashed, my hands were stung and sore, and I still had no dinner and I had to make another meal. It was a total and utter failure.
I tell you this tale of woe, dear friends, so that you know that you are not alone in your kitchen flops and struggles. Last week I threw out an entire pan of Israeli couscous and French lentils - horrid mush. The Egyptian fava bean stew also found its way to the compost bin - watery swill. These things happen when you try to stretch yourself. You are bound to fail sometimes, or even many many times, as you test your wings.
Cooking plant-centered was not how most of us learned to cook. Retraining ourselves to cook with little or no cheese or meat or oil is daunting. Good grief, we might as well be learning a new language. So, give yourselves a break. Your meals might be terrible, even inedible, at first.
You will struggle and be frustrated and
throw your dinner in the bin occasionally.
And, that’s all okay
because you are learning a new skill -
how to feed your body for health -
and learning new things is often hard.
The trick is to keep trying, because your health is worth it!
It is also helpful to have a few tried and tested back-up meals in your pocket for emergencies. Tonight we had our favorite mango tofu bowls. They were uncomplicated and delicious. Who needs stupid nettle soup, anyway?
Wishing you all humor in your failures, friends who will laugh with you as you flounder, and the strength to keep on keeping on. At least it was pretty before it went in the trash!
🌱💕