Katie in the Kitchen, EEK!

When I was a little girl (I’m still a little girl so this still applies), I wake up with urgency. A need in which should I choose not to satisfy, I cannot function. Those around me know it, and go into hiding until they know my need has been satisfied. The world around me is colorless until my slippers cross the perimeter of the cooking room; also known as the kitchen. For then my green eyes grow larger and colors begin to exist again because I KNOW that the growl will soon calm. When the toaster beeps signaling the wheat bread is now toasty, and the two egg whites sizzle communicating to me it’s time to terminate, I’m happy. You know why? Because it’s time to eat.

Okay, here’s the deal. I’m a foodie; a major one. I think about my next meal as I’m half way through to one in front of me. I love food!

I didn’t always know I loved food; I just thought I loved not being hungry. Of course, I loved a tasty meal, when I made the time for it, but that was rare. I tried to be healthy (not when I was younger, I just loved anything salty and terrible for me), but every effort to be healthy caused resentment towards healthiness. The lack of salt, portions, and sweets was enough to make me binge worse than I would have if I never deprived my poor tummy in the first place. So, eating what I thought was “healthy” never lasted long; it was always a let down.

Since I’ve been in Ireland, life has slowed down, a lot. It’s the first time I’ve made efforts to cook consistently. I’ve searched beyond my egg whites and occasional chicken and broccoli. I’ve found myself copying recipe books I find at school, researching spices, and even attempting baking. I’ve found great delight in fresh foods, color, and incredible textures. In the past, I was too impatient for cooking. However, this new hobby has created a new Katie, a more domesticated one, too!

So, I’m making it public, I love to cook! I’m a new cuisinier, (my spell check is telling me this isn’t a word, but I’m still using it. Booyah Webster!). Sorry for the crassness but I feel my cooking virginity has just been taken from me, and oh baby, it’s euphoric! However, I’m lacking experience. My life was filled with frozen veggies, string cheese, and protein bars. Now, I’m on the road to talent, it is however, a very long road.

This is a longer post then I intended, but the words keep flowing. Cheers to those who have managed to remain entertained! So this afternoon I was enjoying my alone time. Luke was at work, the house was clean, and I wasn’t tired. A recipe for some relaxation! My sister has been telling me for ages that she swears I have severe food allergies. The “nurseness” in her (and my constant flatulence) convinced her. She has encouraged me to try eliminating gluten; my first reaction was HA! Me? nah. First it was the whole “deprivation” mentality that wanted to say no, but really, it was the lack of confidence in myself to actually do it.

The idea has been floating in my thoughts for a while now and today was the first time I actually sat to research it. Before today, I didn’t even know what gluten was. I just knew it was in practically everything, eliminating it was near impossible and no fun! Well, I thought.

I was dead wrong! The gluten research and recipes had my mouth salivating. For those allergic to gluten, it changed their lives. They were happier, healthier, and way less tired. I’m still “in research mode” but my curiosity has been peaked. Soon, I think I’ll be ready to take the plunge. Any thoughts or suggestions from those who are also gluten-free? Help!

So, as I was reading about gluten-free foods, I stumbled upon a delicious recipe with a poached egg. Poached egg, what is that? That question was answered a few weeks ago during breakfast at a cozy bread and breakfast (I meant to say BED in breakfast but chose to leave it because I thought my error was funny!) in Ireland. My sister, Kelly, so kindly filled me in. Since my newfound knowledge of poached eggs, I seem to see them everywhere. Where have I been for the last um, 23 years? I don’t know, but what I did know is that I wanted to try it. I wanted to poach an egg. So, I googled how to poach an egg; Boil water, place the egg in. Simple, right?

HAHAHA! Little did I know there is an art to egg poaching. Here I stood, panicky over this silly egg. As I was sautéing some veggies, and toasting bread, I was hysterically laughing. Yup, out loud, all alone, just laughing at no one but my self. I thought I was getting better at cooking, but as my egg was NOT poaching and turned to bazillion white strings, I was put back into reality. My egg was nothing but a ghost.

This may have been my first time attempting a poached egg, but I assure you it's not my last, damn’ t.

Needless to say, I still ate the remnants of my attempt. Although I was disappointed I couldn't make this gluten-free, the veggies, olive oil, and sort of poached egg was a delicious treat, and a healthy one too!

So here I am, anxiously at the ground breaking of a new gold mine ahead of me. I haven’t been this excited over a new hobby in ages. It feels refreshing to be so bad at something yet so eager to learn, perfect, and explore. This whole new world of cooking, possibly gluten-free, has got my toes tapping.

It feels electric.

Stay tuned if you want more "Katie in the Kitchen!".

.k.