Thursday, October 29, 2009

Trick Carrots, Not Treats

We all succumb to the package of 'easy' when we shop. For the last 3-4 years those slimy, mangled, uniformly small snacking carrots have been thoughtlessly grabbed. They are convenient, and you get used to the cardboard nothingness. I think our minds are tricked, as we remember what a real carrot tastes like from the garden. Isn't this uniform little 'trick' we're eating technically a carrot? It is not a 'treat', however.

The other night, thoughts of an old fashioned pot roast made me salivate. It was drizzly and cold. Pot roast would be just the thing to warm us up, comfort us.

When I went grocery shopping, this loose mountain of bright orange carrots flaunted themselves shamelessly. The 'other' carrots had little appeal. I found such pleasure in picking out and bagging the perfect carrots,red peppers, and papery dry yellow onions.

The browned pot roast was cradled tenderly all day in the arms of my red crock pot. It met the needs of our bodies and souls. The silence, broken by sighs and a few little moans of satisfied pleasure while we scraped our plates clean, proved it.

There isn't a scented candle in the world to compare with the steamy aroma twirling out from under the lid of a pot roast smothered in onions, peppers, Montreal Steak Seasoning, potatoes and sweet caramelized chunks of real carrots.




8 comments:

Pam's Palate and Potpourri said...

Oh my gosh, Kathleen, only you could write about a pot roast and make an interesting story!! I LOVE the smell of pot roast - to me it "smells like love" - it really is such a simple gift that we can make for our families - and one they appreciate so much! Now, you can write the next chapter in this story.....the smell of homemade bread, the smell of homeamade soup, the smell of hot baked cookies...to be continued!!

Kathleen Overby said...

If your kitchen walls could talk Pam, they would speak in reverent tones of your lovely German comfort foods that melt away any tears, heal any bruise or disarm the stoniest heart... I dream and wake up drooling at the thought of your kugel.

Anonymous said...

all of a sudden i feel hungry

Anonymous said...

Oh my Love, It's so much more tasty and filling then the fried onion trick you used to try!!!! :)_

Mr Shrekerby

Emily said...

Mmmm...nothing I love better than reading about food. Funny, I've just started buying "carrot carrots" instead of 'baby carrots.' Yummy!!

Kathleen Overby said...

You're so right about the carrot carrots Em! Let's never go back, ever.

Anonymous said...

Never underestimate the power of the writen word, after reading your posting I went to the store today and bought the things to make my pot roast, I too got hungry for it, real carrots of course and new field Idaho potatoes.
Mom

Kathleen Overby said...

Wish I was there for dinner mom! :)