You know, I love to cook.
I understand completely that it’s not everyone’s thing, and that many people view it as a chore, but I find it soothing and relaxing. I think that sometimes (not always), I like to cook more than I like to eat. I often find the process of preparing food – sitting at a table folding dumplings, or piping meringues, or shaping bread – more enjoyable than consuming the finished dish.
Sometimes, life gets big, and tiring, and complicated. When that happens, I find solace in a little comfort cooking. It helps me to focus my attention on the minutiae, and allows me to create, to feed, and to nurture. I find it incredibly satisfying on a soul-deep level.
Last week, I tried making char siu. It was very good, but the flavour wasn’t quite right (so I won’t be posting a recipe yet)…
Later that day, I needed a late lunch. I took a container of treasured Burrawong Gaian chicken stock and a handful of homemade wontons out of the freezer. The stock was defrosted in a small pan, while the wontons were boiled for ten minutes in a separate saucepan of water. Once cooked, the dumplings were added to the stock along with the sliced char siu, and lunch was ready.
As I sat down to my bowl of soup – made with stock that I’d meticulously saved months ago, dumplings which I’d folded the previous weekend, and pork that I’d made that morning – I felt instantly restored. With the exception of the chilli sauce, everything in the bowl was the product of my efforts. It was satisfying in a way that restaurant dishes never quite seem to achieve.
My bowl of homemade soup was small, soothing and comforting. It reminded me that, even though it can occasionally get big, tiring and complicated, life is always good!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Oh love, this is just my kind of thing for when I need comfort… truly! I’ve had a lovely day, but I could go a bowl of your beautiful soup, dumplings and pork right now. xoxo
So happy to hear you’re enjoying retirement, Lizzy! xxx
BRAVO!!
Waiting for the recipe.
I have to get through this batch first, then I’ll try again! :) I’ve frozen most of it, so I can have instant char siu and dumplings midweek! :)
Home made Char Sui! Something I’d never thought of doing but how useful that would be to have on hand in the freezer. Look fwd to seeing the published final result Celia.
Thanks Kim – this batch was a Kylie Kwong recipe, and it was very nice, but not quite right. Sometimes it’s hard to chase a food memory taste! :)
I know exactly what you’re talking about….I’m the same! I’d also add that using food you’ve grown or sourced directly from the farm/dairy etc (as opposed to the supermarket) is much the same!
It’s so rewarding, isn’t it! I’m glad you can relate, thank you! :)
Looks fantastic Celia. I swear I can almost taste it.
Thanks Ardys. It was hot and silky and delicious – and it reminded me of soups I’d eaten growing up.. :)
When I read your comment about liking to cook more than liking to eat, I initially thought “no way!”. But then I paused and realised that, yes, sometimes the relaxation of the preparation is far more meaningful and even enjoyable than the brevity of the eating. You’ve certainly excelled with this dish and I hope it delivered in the making and the eating :)
Kari, thank you, it really did. :)
Cooking can be therapeutic. I especially like to cook on cold miserable days, when being in a warm kitchen is a good place to be.
Deb, the kitchen is certainly the best place to be in winter! Although then the bread dough takes forever to rise!
Very wise words Celia and a delicious looking lunch!
Thanks love. Saw your gorgeous pics on IG, your little man is growing so fast! :)
I understand completely that you sometimes like to cook more than to eat. I find cooking meals a bit of a chore sometimes but I love baking because I don’t have to do it. I have to put supper on the table every evening but I don’t have to bake my own bread or cakes so it’s a joy and once I get started I find it difficult to stop.
Anne, I love baking too – know exactly what you mean about it being hard to stop – I sometimes have to prowl the street looking for eaters! :)
Aah, I wish we lived closer. I love to eat more than I love to cooking, and it’s not that I dislike cooking (unless it’s a task that makes my back ache) but that it’s a means to a (very enjoyable) end!
But I know many friends who, like you, find the act of cooking soothing in its own right, and of course, like you, they are feeders – natural nurturers!
Kavey, you KNOW I love eating too, right? :) I just find the creative process of cooking so soothing sometimes, but then again, I rarely have to cook under time pressure. People always say, “oh you should go on Masterchef”, and I think, “but then I’d end up hating cooking!”.. :)
The char siu looks mighty fine to me! :) Delicious looking soup – all wonderful ingredients. I love homemade food because I often know what’s in it and often it’s made with love. :)
Thank you! It’s hard to beat homemade (I think, at least).. :)
Beautiful Celia & so delicious too! I agree…I often cook things not because I necassarily want to eat it myself, the pleasure is in the process of creating something wholesome for our families or friends x
Jane, when I see the things you produce in your kitchen, I KNOW they’re a product of great passion and creativity! :)
I get more joy out of that sort of meal ~ combining what I have ~ than the most carefully planned dish! It looks delicious.
Pat, there’s something about being able to creatively make use of what we have on hand that makes us feel very clever, isn’t there? :)
I love you Celia! These past few weeks of not being able to cook, you’ve described it all perfectly. Take care xxx
You poor love, I hope you’re on the mend. I can’t cope with my stove being out of action for a few days, let alone my hands! xxx
I know I would enjoy a bowl of your comforting soup. I agree with you about the joy of cooking.
Karen, I’d love to be able to share one with you! xx
Nothing is more soul comforting than a bowl of wonton soup. I often spend hours in the kitchen cooking for the freezer just because I need to cook. You have such a lovely way with words Celia.
Thanks Nancy! I don’t think the char siu is an authentic addition… :)
Like you I find cooking very comforting and, hard to believe, but also stress relieving. I big bowl of your wonton soup would be very comforting right now the temp where I am at this moment is 29 degrees F and this will most likely the high for the day.
Norma, you’ve had so much cold weather in the US! I hope it eases up for you soon.. xx
I understand the cooking before eating thing. I find cooking really relaxing in a way that artists do. It’s an exercise in creativity.
Maureen, you’re so right – it’s a chance to make and create something from scratch. And it’s an economical hobby too! (Most of the time.. ;-))
I’d love a bowlful of your soup, Celia. And I like cooking on its own merit- I enjoy cooking with others as well. My sisters and mother and I used to cook together- and I just came home from a time with my niece and daughter in law where a lot of the cooking was done communally. Although I am now down with another cold- I can’t seem to get around my grandchildren without catching their germs- I think I’m going to make some soup.
Heidi, I hope you’re feeling better soon! I know you always think any time with the grandkids is worth the inevitable cold that follows! :D
A delicious looking soup! Sure to pick up and warm a body. Could have used it yesterday…we had -34°C! Looks like another cold morning today as well. Maybe I’ll make soup for lunch today!
Manuela, that’s SO cold. Yes, make soup! Hope it warms up soon! xx
I feel the same way about cooking. I get very focused when I cook, and the rest of the world just goes away for a bit.
Yes, that’s a great way to describe it! It’s like a little escape..
When you actively step out to use what you have creatively and store some of it away for later you are rewarded with so much more than “food” when you eat it. Creating and making what you eat are truly soul satisfying endeavours and amount to so much more than just eating a bowl of food. Love your soup. I will be making mine tonight and though it will bear no resemblance at all to your soup, it will be made with my own home grown veggies. When you actively take part in the production of your food (whether it be growing, or creating) it usually ends in contentment :)
Thank you – lovely sentiments, and you’re right, it almost always ends in contentment! :)
the soup vortex is kicking in – guess what we had for lunch? go on guess…
Snap! I love the idea that we’re eating matching meals on opposite sides of the world!
I agree! I like to cook just as much if not more than eat. (And I like to eat. :-)
I made chicken and dumplings for the mencats last night. I need to make myself some vegetable soup.
Wishing you a stress-free peaceful week, Maz
Thank you, my lovely friend. Hope you have a fabulous week too!
So good! Exactly what I would like for dinner please!!
Thank you! It’s an easy and very satisfying dish.
I can relate. But I hate cooking when I’m too stressed or too busy and that’s where the freezer comes in. So good to be able to magically conjure up good home cooked food from it’s icy interior.
I’m trying not to think about your soup, as it’s not even breakfast time yet, and there’s nothing like it on my agenda today.
Sorry to do that to you! I hope you found something fabulous and soothing to have for lunch! :)
Delicious lunch!! :-) Love cooking, it’s relaxing, plus I enjoy having everyone enjoy what I cook!
First time to your site, great site and lots of wonderful recipes!
Michael
Thanks for stopping by! You have some beautiful pieces on your blog! :)
I definitely agree, I love mostly cook than eat. Nothing makes me happier than sharing the food.
It’s wonderful to be able to feed others, isn’t it! :)
There’s not much wrong with a day when you can sit down to that kind of lunch. Well done you, my friend.
Thanks Amanda! xx
Hmm that’s something to ponder… do I like cooking more than eating? That’s a toughie since I really enjoy both! But sitting down to a bowl of that soup is something that would tip it in favour of the latter :)
I have all the ingredients on hand now, so whenever you want to come over for lunch… ;-)
same here celia..i love the feeling of being lost in the kitchen..and having home made and produced ingredients just adds that extra dimension of pleasure..x
Jane, I tend to only eat at restaurants that serve food I really couldn’t make at home – otherwise I tend to miss the cooking of the dish, if that makes sense…
I find cooking therapeutic as well. It’s like a ‘time-out’ from the circumstances that are going on around you. I would find this soup deeply satisfying too – with your own stock, homemade dumplings and freshly cooked pork; it’s a wonder xx
Thanks Charlie – it was very satisfying on all levels! :)
So true Celia, life is always good!
Thanks Tandy xx
I feel the exact same way. No chore for me. Actually living in China cooking and blogging helped me keep busy and connected to people. Especially the next day. When I had leftovers.
Glad you have lots of people to share your cooking with! :)
What a lovely bowl of wonderful Celia! Life is good indeed- even if I’d have to drink my soup through a straw at the moment :) xox
Oh hon, I hope you’re on the mend soon.. xxx
Lovely sentiments Celia, life can sometimes be tough and you are right sitting down to a comforting meal like that can do the trick.
Stefanie, it’s like taking a little holiday from real life.. :)
If only you could bottle that soup! Lovely, poignant post x
Thanks Rachel.. xx
Oh that soup looks like just the thing for me. I know what you mean about cooking. As long as I don’t feel pressured I enjoy it & now that I’m retired I feel like I can actually have some time to do more in the kitchen. It’s funny though, I’ve always found ironing to be one of those mindless tasks that I like because I can just do it without thinking.
I could never get into ironing – it always feels like a chore. But I know some folks who absolutely love it…
A lovely one meal in a soup bowl,…yummm!
Thanks Sophie! xx
Totally know what you mean! A restorative meal and a restorative post!
Azita, your dishes are always so colourful and elegant – true art!
I love comfort cooking too! There is not much that can beat the idea that “I made this”. We have been a bit frantic recently, reading this post is like “comfort blogging” – thanks!
Thanks Saucy! It seems everyone’s flat out at the moment!
It sounds like a very peaceful morning Celia:-)
Thanks Jody! Hope yours was too!
You do inspire me to take more time to really enjoy myself in the kitchen. I love your description of how some of your culinary routines are soothing. And the soup sounded absolutely wonderful! :-)
Thank you – I do find pottering around in the kitchen very calming! :)
I’m with you, Celia, and really enjoy cooking. It’s a great stress relief for me. This soup that you made sounds fantastic! Whoever said we eat with our eyes was lying. I’ve been staring at your photos and I’m getting hungrier by the minute. :)
John, how I wish I could share a bowl with you! I guess this is as close as I can get though.. xx
Celia, that looks delicious. we’ve had success with the dumplings. kids loved them. my son was drooling over the pork pictures. Is there a recipe please
Paul, so happy to hear your kids liked the dumplings! The char siu is based on a Kylie Kwong recipe, and it was nice, but not quite right (I seem to have a clear idea in my head of what “right” is, in char siu terms! :)). Once I get one I’m really happy with, I’ll post it!
Oh boy that bowl of soup looks so good! So comforting I felt good just looking at it.