So we already know all about those holiday foods but stop and think, just for a second, and tell me what seems to be missing. That’s right you guessed it (I doubt you actually did but we’re rolling with it) your birthday, you know, that event that pops up every year where people celebrate only you, yeah that thing. Now some might think that the presents are the best part of that day, or that spending time with your family is what it’s really about, but I’m gonna stop you right there and say “no” the best part is all that delicious FREE food that your mom, grandma, aunts, and siblings make just for you.
Picture this, you open your eyes and get out of bed, then out of nowhere a strong, delightful aroma hits you and becomes the only thing in existence. You then walk down the stairs, turn the corner, and there it is…or rather there she is, your mamma pulling not one, but two apple pies out of the oven, steam spewing out of the little folds of the brown, buttery crust.
When I think of birthdays this is what comes to mind first, you see, while some people like cake to place their candles upon, I like pies. Why you ask? Well first off because they are some of the most diverse and mouth-watering foods you can find (If you don’t think so, you’re wrong). Secondly, they are always made with love, and by love I mean that gorgeous filling made from apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, butter, and whatever else my mom puts in there that’s oblivious to me.
Now that we have the setting painted with the dessert, let’s move to the entrees, because as we all know, the entree comes second.
I have two words for you, pot roast, yes that’s right, for my birthdays I like to have pot roasts. If you’ve ever had a proper one than you know that they are tasty and can last for days. For all my meat lovers out there, you know there’s few things better than seeing a gigantic slab of meat that’s been cooking all day alongside some carrot, potatoes, celery, onions and so on, slowly melting away in that crock-pot, and soaking up all sorts of juices from that broth. Then finally you hear that call all throughout the house, “dinners ready, come and eat,” and fortunately it’s your birthday so you get the first chunk of meat and spoonful of veggies, that have been calling your name all day.
As you’re chowing down on that roast, you look to the side and see another marvelous sight, more sides. Yeah, we already know about the veggies but what about some good ole mac n’ cheese, dripping with creamy, savory umm cheese and crusted with whatever makes that crust. Then you look above that and see those mashed potatoes (Yeah, I know we already have potatoes in the crock-pot too, who cares) and while you’re looking at that wondrous thing, some smooth, warm gravy falls like a waterfall and splashes right into those potatoes.
While you’re eating the food your family has been working on all day, overly contempt with all this majesty and the time you looked forward to eating it, you lean back, plate empty, and think to yourself, this is it, this is why you really celebrate your birthday….the food.
Thanks for reading,
John Barrentine
