Member Commentary Blog

     At Home Chesapeake recently hosted a Bengali cooking class at a member’s home.  It proved to be far more than a cooking class.  To give a little background, three recipes were sent to participating members via email.  Our “instructor,” another member, assembled the various ingredients ahead of time.  Oh, my, such exotic spices.  Where would you buy them if you even wanted to try a recipe on our own?  We needn’t have worried.  Not only were we taught about each spice, but given several local places to purchase them.  The vegetables and fish could be bought almost anywhere.  We learned the benefits of Bengali cooking for improved health.  We learned that the styles of cooking in the various regions of India differ, each having their own distinct flavors and methods of preparation.  We learned how to properly chop, grate, steam and serve our new delicacies as we joined in to prepare the fish, vegetables and dal. 

     Preparing the food and learning about it was the reason we got together.  It was an opportunity for “social glue.”  But we learned far more about the “spices of life” by breaking bread together, sharing stories about ourselves and our heritages around the dining room table.  The shared giggles were almost like those peppermint drops used to finish off a good meal and settle our tummies.  Didn’t families do this not so long ago?  Being together and celebrating a good meal was one of the joys of life.  It still should be.

     Food was the reason we got together, but the camaraderie was far more sustaining.  We laughed and devoured not only the food but the support we gleaned from one another.   As we cleared the table, we all decided more of us from At Home Chesapeake should come to the next cooking demo.  Working together for a common goal brings us together, food sustains our bodies, but we need each other to nourish our souls.   -- A member of At Home Chesapeake