Sweet simplicity in Andalusia

I like the days when Monchéri cooks. It's nothing fancy or complicated. It's usually a dish of rice prepared the Andalusian way with sauté onions, red pepper, onions, garlic, chicken and white wine. I'm not allowed to enter the kitchen, not that he doesn't want to share the secret of his recipe but he likes his privacy; that is he likes to use the whole space, have all drawers open just in case he needs to grab a spatula or a knife.

And the music is very important too. Blues...John Lee Hooker and Etta James...preferably very loud....Monchéri says it helps him to concentrate on the rice cooking.
After one hour, I usually grow impatient and ask him if it's ready. He smiles and lights up a cigarette.

I sigh and go back to my work until he shouts out A comer ! (let's eat). He wants me to taste first. It's truly delicious and I eat it like food made with love.



Slowly and smiling.....If you'd ask me, what's your idea of a perfect summer day ?, I'm not too sure what my answers would be but for sure, I always cherish these easy simple days with no big expectation. These simple, ordinary days when life flows gently and the pleasures sum up to a quick nap under a tree and stealing mulberries from the
neighbor.

ps: for another simple pleasure, hop to my other blog !