Makes me think

What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?

How long is it since the school lessons where we were taught about our 5 senses and the day we were exploring taste and learned that our tongue had 4 areas salt, sugar, acidic flavours like vinegar, and an area that tastes bitter things.

I think we were about 9 so around 55 years ago. We tried various different foods and had to make a chart.

Then I started learning to cook meals at school when I was about 12…

One of my tasks after school was to help prepare and cook dinner for the family so it was ready to eat when our parents came home from work.

One of the most delicious meals was a Shepherd’s pie made from minced lamb left over from the Sunday roast, it was bulked out with breadcrumbs. The gravy was seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and mint sauce. The mash potato topping was made with butter and some grated cheddar with more cheddar melted on top. Served with vegetables I felt so chuffed when Dad said it was delicious.

My children would be surprised to hear I used to cook well as when my youngest was 5 I lost my sense of smell and taste so they’ve never had a meal cooked from scratch that wasn’t either under or over seasoned as everything tastes like cardboard to me.

It’s 33 years later and it’s difficult to describe how food tastes to me.

Fruit and vegetables can be like fresh cardboard. Meat is chewy cardboard. Cake? Sugary cardboard

If I add the slightest speck of salt to my meal all I taste is the sea. Can I tell if there is pepper, or mustard? Yes I can feel the burning sensation on my tongue, while chilli just grabs my throat and chokes me.

I’m currently eating today’s dinner.

As far as cardboard goes the Lentil Cottage pie with the veggies I added is adequate… the melon and grapes will be an interesting fresh/ sweet combination.

Until next time I hope you can enjoy your food and all the flavours I miss.