Fig tart & frozen pecan pudding

Combining food items is often done intuitively. You just  know almonds and apples, or beetroots and a pinch of sugar, go well together. But if we think about it closely, the same universal principles of match-making apply to any other relationship! Everything has an inherent quality and nature that comes out and flourishes when in harmony with a given form. To understand how each ingredient contributes to and interacts with the whole in a natural way is the key to successful cooking. Or marriage! Or family-life, business-relationships and friendship.

Ego differentiates the human relationships and those of matter. Have you ever heard a grain of salt throwing a temper tantrum because it isn’t in a leading role in a sweet preparation? In order to achieve the goal of cooking, we don’t doubt about the wet nature of water or the sour nature of lemon. But ourselves - our nature - in relationships, we are bewildered about. We forget to interact in order to enhance the whole, because we are preoccupied in forcing our physical, emotional or intellectual needs and desires. As long as we don’t acknowledge and act according to our nature, cherish and be satisfied with it – no matter how complex cooking procedures we apply to our relationships – the meal won’t be delicious. Both, cooking and living, are conscious processes. Cooking often seems easier!

The fig tart I made is a happy family that reciprocates lovingly with the frozen pecan pudding. There is enough similarity and difference in taste, texture, colour and structure for an engaging dialogue. An important lesson to learn from a humble tart and a spoonful of ice-cream. Sweet teachers, literally!

Thanks.

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