Today’s find: Savory flavors

Two different times in the past couple of days, I found myself straying off some rather well-worn culinary paths.

First up: a tamarind-flavored soda to accompany the street tacos I’d ordered for lunch. That’s right – tamarind. (Or more appropriately perhaps, “that’s wrong – tamarind”.)

I’m glad (I suppose) that I ventured out in this way to add a twist to an already-flavorful meal, but having now done it, I’m not particularly inclined to go down that path again. Tamarind may have its uses in the culinary world, but adding essence to a sugary soda is surely not the best of them.

Tamarind soda: Worth a try, i guess.

More successful overall was the batch of Chana Masala I whipped up for dinner last night. Basically a stew made with diced tomatoes and garbanzo beans, it rises well above those humble origins on the wings of more than a dozen aromatics, herbs and spices – all cooked in stages, layering in flavor after flavor.

It’s kind of out of character for me to do this much adventuring at mealtime – especially twice in one week. As I mulled over my motivations, I detected at least the hint of a link to my annual Lenten practices. It’s easy to fall into ruts, I noticed: We develop well-worn paths that do little in the end to excite the palate or stir the soul.

That’s kinda what was rumbling around in me when I looked ahead to see what our Sunday scriptures hold for us this week. The gospel is Mark’s version of the Transfiguration – a story we hear every year during Lent. A story, therefore, whose familiarity can induce a sort of food-coma, despite its rather spectacular trappings: “[Jesus’] clothes became dazzling white…” Ho-hum.

Lent is not supposed to induce spiritual ennui, of course. Just the opposite: The call of this holy season is to venture down new paths … to trek out into the desert … and see what we might see. This is precisely the invitation we receive in saying our “Amen” to the Collect (the opening prayer) at Mass this week:

O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory.

So do help us make this prayer in earnest, O Lord. Nourish us with Your Word – and let our hearts be open to receiving something tasty and new from You!

Chana masala: Elevating the garbanzo bean to unexpected places!

Let us pause now…to recall that we are in the presence of the Holy & Merciful One.

IHS