The news out there is depressing, and I get that it’s someone’s job to report it, and someone else’s livelihood to put their unique spin on it, but I find myself skimming the big headlines and calling it a day.
I’ve never been one to watch the news on TV, but I’ve had a lifelong habit of reading it all – from multiple news outlets – every article, every opinion piece, and I took pride in being well-informed. I don’t know if it’s age, retirement or just a sign of the times, but it turns out such immersion is not uplifting in any way and not good for my mental health.
At this point in my life, being informed makes me weary. I’d rather make food, which often starts with one or two simple ingredients.
Like anchovies. I had some leftover from when I made Caesar salad, so I thought why not put one on a Triscuit and sprinkle it with a little fresh Parmesan? There is only one in this picture because I ate the first one and Dale stole the second one. Holy crap that is good. We like Ortiz anchovies in the jar.
We have been feasting on fresh heirloom tomatoes from the farmer’s market. We’ve already indulged in tomato, basil and mozzarella paninis lightly glazed with balsamic vinegar and pizza with chopped tomatoes as the base instead of tomato sauce. And then there are Greek salads made in the style we enjoyed in Crete many years ago.
For the salads, I coarsely chop cucumbers, onions and tomatoes and arrange them on a plate. I sprinkle the top with oregano, add a couple of slabs of feta cheese and then sprinkle more oregano. Then I put Kalamata olives around the edge of the plate.
Each of us dresses our own salad at the table with good olive oil and red wine vinegar. A key component is crusty homemade bread for dunking and perhaps a glass bottle of cheap red wine.
Tonight is tomato pie. I start with a homemade biscuit crust and add well-drained sliced tomatoes, grated cheddar cheese, fresh basil, chopped chives and a sauce made from mayonnaise thinned with a little lemon juice. Top with more crust, slash and bake. Heaven. Absolute heaven.
The recipe is from the August 1992 issue of Gourmet Magazine. We subscribed for years and have a pile of them. It wasn’t even written as a recipe but shared in narrative form. I didn’t feel like typing it up, so I did what any lazy retiree would do – I found it on the Internet. I peel the tomatoes and add a teaspoon of table salt to the crust.
For more food pleasure, check out the What’s on Your Plate challenge at The Widow Badass and Retirement Reflections.
It seems to me simple pleasures really are the foundation of a happy retirement, no matter what’s going on in the world. I especially like to play golf, walk, swim, cook, read, write, watch TV, listen to music, make art and grow cannabis. It’s like a variety pack of amusements to keep me entertained for years to come. If one falls out of rotation for one reason or another, I’ve got backups.
I’m totally with you on the joy of simple foods and simple pleasures (as well as turning off the news). Thanks so much for including our link. It’s greatly appreciated.
Absolutely love this! YES to simple foods and simple pleasures! I gave up the news many years ago…if something newsworthy happens, somehow I eventually learn of it (whether I want to or not…hehehe!). Thanks for joining us, Donna. The tomato pie sounds delicious!
Deb
Yes to Epicureanism!
Currently there is a record flood in several states and about 150 people lost their lives. One reason to view the news on TV, but it depressed me so much, that I need a break.
Husband and I are kind of addicted to anchovy “sott’olio”. When a no-knead-bread is out of the oven , we smear some butter on a slice an decorate it with anchovy. We could loose character over this. Ortiz products are excellent. Living in EU I can get delicious anchovy and Black olives from a small ligurian brand which is our favourit right now.
The tomato Pie is on my list now! Thanks, Donna.
Barbara — I’m so glad you are well! I’ve been worried about you and the floods. What a tragedy. I hope things get better soon.
My next anchovy treat will be exactly as you described. That sounds so delicious.
“…being informed makes me weary. I’d rather make food…” and eat it. The pandemic, a drought in this area, smoke-filled skies keep me informed enough without additional burdensome news.
Yep, all that. Pandemic, smoke, fire, drought. It sucks. Making food and eating it is way better than reading the news.
The anchovy idea is just up my alley. I’ll try it soon. Tomato pie sounds good too. I sure miss Gourmet magazine.
The anchovy treat is exceptional — I also love the idea of smearing anchovies on hot buttered bread, as Barbara describes. I could eat that right this second.
We talk a lot about Gourmet magazine. I wonder what happened? Just when the foodie scene exploded, the magazine went away.
I love the sound of your simple food diet – it’s right up my street (anchovies aside) 😀
I was like you about the news but, finding the dearth of quality journalism to be downright depressing, have been read it less & less over time. Himself listens to news and current affairs all day long and I’ve noticed he has struggled more than I have during the pandemic, despite me being the one with a diagnosed mental health condition. He’s a lot better when I can get him out with his camera to enjoy a few hours away from it. We all need the simple pleasures, especially at the moment.
I do have to make myself back away from it all. This is a depressing time, but I’m ever hopeful we’ll come out of it.