Often times surroundings inspire. I was hoping for an influx of creativity from time outside our kitchen and within arm's reach of the ocean. What I did not realize is that the time away was meant to be a distraction. As it turns out, the vacation was not meant to be an instant rejuvenation. Rather, the distractions of vacation occupy the mind allowing ideas to develop in the background and develop unhindered.
As we were on our way home today, actually pulling out of the driveway one last time, the morning light shined brilliantly on the rosebushes, heavy with hips and blossoms, that lined the dirt road. The morning dew was beading on the petals and the fruit. The brilliant light cut through the worn, ocean breeze battered leaves and drew my focus, as though I had yet not really seen what was there.
We have blended sweet and salty before. Our pantry has been stocked with seasonal fruit misos, from cherry to peach. Still, the bittersweet rose hip has eluded us in this approach. Until today. The sweet, delicate flavor of white miso blended with rose hip preserves will produce a harmonious condiment to be paired with lobster and perhaps sweetbreads and scallops. In fact, the blend of rose hips and miso may weave its way into our sweet preparations as a steamed pudding or an ultra thin tart.
We are back in Queens, and the haze of vacation is lifting. As it lifts, the ideas which were sprouted oceanside are begining to take root. What I have learned is that vacation is not meant to produce instant results. Instead, time away gives the brain some space to sow fertile grounds that will blossom upon our return home.
