To Eat ... To Live ...

"Do you live to eat? Or do you eat to live?"

Eventually, most people I know will encounter this question by me.

Knowing me as I am ... most of my friends' reply were "live to eat". One guy, without hesitation, told me that and then inform me that only animals eat to live, and HE has evolve way beyond that.

To those who eat to live ... I am so sorry!

Eating ... it's no longer just to survive. I mean, there is a reason why there's an "obesity epidemic" around!

It's much more than that. It's a whole sensory experience:

The aroma ... it's not as simple as good, or bad, or sweet, or savory. Sometimes, it brings you back memories. The subtities of spices and herbs.

Then there's the texture. Some are luscious, silky, smooth, grainy, chewy, even bouncy, crunchy ...

The presentation ... ah! Some of these plates are so great looking that I hesitate to break up the harmony of the whole "look". I think my cousin has the right idea in taking a photo first, before chowing down on it.

Ocassionally, there are actually food that will make noise. I'm not even talking about pre-cooked animals here. Who can resist that hot sizzling plate of seared meat? There is a reason why sizzling rice soup has a following. I mean, it's not like the stuff is all that great. Oh, but the brief sound it makes ... it's just so ... fresh and tempting!

Of course, can't enjoy food without taste now, can we? I'm not talking about those who over season their food so that when you finally do get a chance to eat, your lips just feel all "pickled" after a while. The excessive salt content changes your taste buds enough that it seem as if the dish is bitter. I'm talking about "just right" seasoning. The simplest things like salt and pepper can make a really good piece of meat stand out on its own based on its flavor and texture alone. Sometimes, one wanders into a culinary adventure with the subtlest of herbs or spices. The right combination can give you that little surprise element. A little something unexpected. The constant evolving use of them is part of the joy of eating.

Take a cup of hot cocoa. What can be simpler? Just some cocoa powder and hot milk? Recently, I went to a chocolate shop where they boast to make the "world's best cup of hot chocolate". With that claim, who am I to turn away? The shop, aside from selling all kinds of chocolates with different fillings, also truffles (chocolate ones, of course), also sells chocolate related accessories (like fondu pots, cook books, etc.). They have a hot chocolate bar in the corner serving about at least 4-5 different kinds. I asked them for a "hot and spicy". They didn't really explain to me what was in it, but from what I CAN see ... they must have put about half a cup of chopped chocolates in the 6 once cup (either milk or dark ... it's all up to you), then there are pinches of this and that. I think it involves cinnimon, chilli pepper (probably caynne), nutmeg and who knows what else that I can't see. All this was followed by some honey and steamed milk. Then all that hot liquid gets transferred to a metal cup and stuck into a milk shake maker to give it a whirl. They're probably right. It was damn good! Though whether it's the "world's best" or not remains to be tested. Though I know I can't possibly try them all, I intend to try a whole lot of them.