Working on a menu is tedious at least it can be. Trying new recipes is well, trying but needed and our family becomes weary when they see mouse approach holding a spoon. Daddy once grabbed the kids and ran. Another time, he exclaimed to a table full of family in a wry tone that he used to love tiramisu, that was until mouse spent three weeks perfecting her recipe.
It's exasperating and frustrating because after so many tastings and samplings, your appetite and your taste buds are just ruined. This is why mouse has learned to love our neighbors. To them she can bring all the samples she wants. They're painfully honest too.
So when mouse began experimenting with mashed potatoes for our dinner -- now it should be explained mouse makes quite wonderful mashed potatoes. Lots of cream, butter sometimes goat cheese or roasted garlic. Except for the roasted garlic, completely non-kosher. Of course mouse also didn't understand it and Daddy was too polite to say much, in the beginning.
Later he examined and his mom was very polite and helpful too. Really think they were both very pleased that mouse was willing to go to such lengths.
Food is a great equalizer -- it's something we all have in common. It can be comforting when we feel horrible about something. It can evoke a memory or feeling when you smell something cooking or cathartic like kneading bread. Everyone gathers and eats, they share stories and mouse likes that idea.
So mouse now brings food to neighbors (never on a whim), but let's them know in advance. So, mouse will be bringing a side dish of mashed potatoes.
First mouse boiled the potatoes, to the first batch she added roasted garlic, soy milk and fresh herbs plus a little water.
The second contained the garlic, soy milk and chicken stock.
The third used beef stock, soy milk, horseradish, and herbs.
We'll see which people preferred.
Number three was the big winner, so long as mouse went light on soy milk :)
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