I went into a store today and forgot to wear a mask! Although I quickly put it on as soon as I realized, it made me think that, as a society, we are on our way back to our pre-pandemic selves.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to completely go back. This past year and a half has changed me immeasurably. Good and bad, I’m grateful for it all. I think that’s the best gift that the pandemic has given to me – the gratitude for the ordinary as well as the extraordinary.
What wondrous and lovely things are coming to you while emerging from the pandemic? I’m making a quick weekend trip to see my family in two weeks, and I can’t wait! I haven’t seen most of them in over a year and we’ll get to cram in all the hugs! I get to see my mom, catch up with her and plan her trip to see me in the fall. I get to celebrate with my aunt and uncle for their 50th anniversary. I get to sit on a sofa with my cousin and eat Baba Ganoush. It’s the little things that now feel miraculous. Speaking of little things, my son and his fiancée are having a baby girl any day now. (As of the press date she’ll be a full week late!)
Getting to meet this new little girl is pretty much all I can think about; but until I can share baby pictures with the world, I’ll leave you with one of my favorite Baba Ganoush recipes (adapted from allrecipes.com).
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant
- 1 ½ Tbsp. tahini sauce
- 4 Tbsp. smashed garlic
- ½ lemon, juiced
- Salt to taste
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut a shallow slit along the side of the eggplant and place into a baking dish.
- Roast in preheated oven on the lower rack until the eggplant is completely shrunken and soft, about 40 minutes.
- Move dish to the top rack and continue baking until the skin is charred, about 5 minutes more. Let eggplant cool.
- Peel and discard skin.
- Put eggplant in a bowl. Add tahini, garlic, lemon juice and salt. Stir until all ingredients are evenly mixed. Drizzle with olive oil.
Sit on the sofa with one of your favorite people, dip some pita chips in and just flat out enjoy life!
