[Klara]

Hi Metaperl,

My first instinct was to tell you to stop typing or stop eating - but who on earth am I to tell you that? - I just know I've also done it and know it's something I need not to do. The ideal is to sit and concentrate on the food, the chewing, how the body feels, relaxing, etc - and not to be dividing one's energy with the computer, the tv, the radio, reading etc. It's one of the most difficult habits to create, but I totally understand the reasoning behind it, about being totally in the NOW of what you're doing and not dividing up your focus.

Having chestnuts, or dried fruits or nuts in a dish is for me bringing it to a festive dish, for holidays or guests - definitely not an everyday way of eating. I also usually prefer not having sweets mixed in, but do like it for variety and like I said, once in a while.

the chestnut puree I mentioned is great all by itself, but also good as part of a dessert, as a topping, or inside as a layer of other great things. (amasake comes to mind!!!!)

the books you mentioned are a great basis. Everybody learns differently - I don't know why I don't spend more energy experimenting with recipes from books - I get a new book, try a couple dishes, and then the book goes on my shelf and I go back to old recipes, or basically no recipes, just make some grain, and water saute whatever vegetables I have.

I realize that's not enough for variety. Fortunately every now and then we have potlucks, so I try to go for something new. And fortunately I have a daughter, tho not mb, she will look through my cookbooks and we will because of her try new recipes.

Last night I made stir fry for my son (almost 16 y.o.) and myself - tho I added brown rice to mine, and added peppers and chicken and egg noodles to his - if you have experience with teenagers, you might be able to envision this - he comes into the kitchen and says "what recipe are you using?" Excuse me, a recipe for stir fry?????, just cut up whatever vegetables I can and throw them in!!!!!

Of course it takes more time to actually go through a book and look for something - and it takes more time to follow a recipe - but what a pity I'm not using all those great resources. So I too could use the encouragement so if You've cooked something from your books, let us know!!!!! Especially if it's a huge success.

Klara