My biggest and most ambitious cooking project ever

Imagine taking the ingredients for a dish, very specific ingredients, and taking the whole notion of slow cooking to a painstakingly drawn out, almost unfathomable level. Sure, it’s not as protracted as cellaring wine or making balsamic vinegar, but this current cooking project has been poaching away for the past 6 months or so at the ambient temperature of 37°C with another few months to go. An undertaking which involves a gradually expanding product, much like bread dough, which is so much greater than the sum of its original microscopic ingredients.


Oh yes, I am growing a mini human! Soon there will be a petite mademoiselle or petit monsieur in our household commanding all of our attention. Being someone who isn’t picky with food, being pregnant is a funny thing even in the (very lucky) absence of any nausea. I’ve been through periods of waking famished, followed by days of an appetite lost, intercut with days of snacking to stave off stomach acid and reflux issues.


Any motivation to cook disappeared long ago as there is simply no energy nor inspiration. This, coupled with the food precautions recommended to pregnant women is rather frustrating. I’m not missing any specific foods as yet, though I think I miss the freedom of not having to worry about avoiding certain foods. Friends and family have recommended enjoying the last of our time as a couple and go out on fine-dining dates, but you would not believe the amount of food which is not pregnant-friendly when you sit down and think about it!


But I guess a question which is more food for thought is how we will raise this mini human in terms of attitudes towards food? In a day and age where there are more choices than ever, and more processed food than ever, how will we raise them to be discerning without being discriminatory or snobbish? Will I stock our fridge with plastic cheese, like my parents did, and make them wonder why it doesn’t melt with any sort of stretchiness?

Only time will tell. In the meantime...



happy eating!
on

35 comments:

  1. OohLookBel17 July 2013 at 09:33

    Congratulations! That's wonderful news on your latest and greatest 'project'.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tina@foodboozeshoes17 July 2013 at 10:10

    I still love plastic cheese, though it's not competition to a stinky, gooey washed rind. Congrats Rita!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Angie Lives to Eat (and Cook)!17 July 2013 at 10:20

    Congrats dear Mademoiselle and Monsieur!
    My cousin had her baby over the weekend, after 9 months of a restricted diet I asked her what the first thing she was craving for was 'Pate! And Oysters!'.
    I think the best thing you can teach your little one is to just appreciate food, where it comes from, and not to waste it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse)3 October 2013 at 11:03

      At the moment the things I miss most are smoked salmon and banh mi thit!

      Delete
  4. Ramen Raff17 July 2013 at 10:21

    Oh man! Congrats to you and G! I'm sure you two will be cool parents :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse)3 October 2013 at 11:04

      Thanks Raff, getting close so looking forward to meeting the little person soon.

      Delete
  5. Simon @ the heart of food17 July 2013 at 11:57

    Congratulations to the two of you. How exciting! Wishing you well for the remainder of the pregnancy & birth :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse)3 October 2013 at 11:05

      Thanks Simon, enjoying the last moments by ourselves at present and psyching up for the onslaught of parenthood!

      Delete
  6. Shez17 July 2013 at 12:44

    Best. Project. Ever.

    Love and good health to you, the Monsieur & the tiny one xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jacq17 July 2013 at 14:26

    congrats again! hope the rest of your pregnancy and the birth are smooth sailing :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse)3 October 2013 at 11:12

      Only minor things to complain about thus far, so hopefully the birth won't give me too much grief *fingers crossed*

      Delete
  8. Mardi Michels17 July 2013 at 16:28

    Rita - congratulations :) So excited and happy for you. Can't wait to follow the journey of le petit monsieur or la petite demoiselle :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Phuoc'n Delicious17 July 2013 at 17:19

    Weeeee.... I'm so excited for you to pop :) Can't wait to see the little one. Wholeheartedly agree with Angie; teach the little one to appreciate food, where it comes from (whether it be organic or not) and not to waste food. I think those are the most important food lessons you can teach it. Another aspect is how food influences your heritage and culture, and to honour that. Kids are kids after all, the more they question, the better! Just don't give it babycinos... -_-;

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse)3 October 2013 at 11:13

      Agree, think I'll impart the same philosophy as my mum and explain why we eat the food that we do. And what's wrong with babycinos, hey?? =p

      Delete
  10. Anonymous17 July 2013 at 19:22

    Congratulations lovely! I'm sure you will do just fine raising a little one :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kristy Sayer-Jones @ Southern In Law17 July 2013 at 20:28

    Huge congratulations to you, Rita!

    I had my suspicions a little while ago but I have no idea how you kept it a secret for so long! Very excited for you! Xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Agnes17 July 2013 at 20:42

    YAY congratulations! So exciting :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse)3 October 2013 at 11:15

      Thanks Agnes, exciting and terrifying in equal parts I think haha.

      Delete
  13. Tina @ bitemeshowme18 July 2013 at 08:20

    Aww so much happiness for you guys. Best bun in the oven, ever! I'm not one to give advice but the best one I learnt from my sisters is that you should trust your own instincts :) xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse)3 October 2013 at 11:16

      Thanks Tina, biggest cake I've ever baked that's for sure!

      Delete
  14. Helen (Grab Your Fork)22 July 2013 at 12:41

    Most exciting baking project yet! Congrats again and can't wait to meet your little mini me!

    ReplyDelete
  15. thesuzchef29 July 2013 at 09:24

    Congratulations!

    It is such an amazing and special time, to be growing a baby... and when he / she is in your arms, you will be amazed that you created it and grew such cuteness inside you.

    Wishing you all the best for the next few months ahead! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse)3 October 2013 at 11:26

      Thanks Suz, looking forward to meeting the little person soon enough.

      Delete
  16. Sara - Belly Rumbles13 August 2013 at 23:08

    A glorious bun in the oven, cooking away at 37degrees. It is funny how time changes trends and what is suitable for those that are pregnant. 21 years ago, I could eat almost anything, it rocked! Not sure I could cope with being pregnant today, far more restrictions as we learn more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse)3 October 2013 at 11:28

      Thanks Sara, small sacrifices to make for the mini human but I really am starting to miss some foods too!

      Delete
  17. Christine @ Cooking Crusade27 August 2013 at 15:05

    Congratulations on the wonderful news - all the best in the pregnancy ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse)3 October 2013 at 11:32

    Thanks Christine, almost there now!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kitchen Butterfly7 October 2013 at 08:26

    Oh, oh, oh................missed you.

    Congratulations!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment!