My husband and I have fallen prey to a vicious habit plaguing young and old across the nation. I don’t know whether its a sign of the times or simply an addiction to constant visual entertainment, all I know is that it’s here, in my house, every night, pulling me towards the living room, tray in hand: The couch-potato dinner.
Oh, don’t be fooled. It’s the worst kind of dinner there is. No matter how much you slaved over that dinner, no matter how delicious it is, it will never hold your attention as much as this night’s episode of “modern family”. I’m not making this up. It’s a fact.
You see, it started out so good. We never used to eat in front of the TV. We always ate at our table, facing each other and our food, perhaps with some music playing. The only entertainment there was, was the food, and your dinner partner. It was a date, every night, sitting together, catching up on the day, sipping a cheap Trader Joe’s wine, enjoying the fruits of your labor (salmon tonight!). We were aware of every bite we filled our mouths with: the acidity of the salads vinaigrette (too much lemon again…), the fluffiness of the rice (can you please pass the soy sauce), the cool of the yogurt against the spice of the salmon tikka. Not only did we discuss our day, we discussed our food, as the slow bites melted away the frown and worry lines, and the wine made us melt unto our chairs.
But those days are gone. And it’s painful to break a nasty habit. Now we shovel my carefully prepared food into our big mouths, paying no attention to what it is we are eating, while enjoying another episode of “Tru Blood”, which, more often than not makes you loose your appetite anyway (kill a vamp today?). Is the idea of a sit down dinner so antiquated that we don’t know how to fit into our lives anymore?
My most memorable meals growing up always took place around a table, filled with my family, as bowls were passed around and wine was being poured. Even those that were uncomfortable, with people yelling and fighting, angrily abandoning the rest of their meal to head straight for the desert. Whether good or bad, the meal was eaten before anyone left the table. I remember some dinners where I was literally in tears over something my dad had just admonished me for, yet I continued to sit, eating my dinner, albeit halfheartedly.
Now I’m here to Norman Rockwellise you!
I double dare all of you to sit down and eat your dinner at a table, one that’s not in front of a TV. Put on some music. Pour some wine. Maybe light a candle, even if it is only Thursday night and all your having is Ramen. Give yourself that time to eat and just be with yourself or with someone. I triple dare you! And if you do it, I might just do it too.
Easy Salmon in a Bag
for 2
2 Salmon fillets
salt
pepper
Lemon
olive oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place fillets on individual aluminum foil squares. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with some olive oil. Slice lemon and lay 2-3 slices on top of salmon. Bundle up the foil like a candy. Lay both salmon parcels on a tray and put into oven for approximately 15 minutes, though time depends on thickness and size of fillets. Serve in their individual parcels and all its lovely juices!
