The Meal

What is a meal? It is easily describable with the standard table settings and components, but the meal is far from having a strict definition. The truth is that a definition of a meal goes beyond what can be seen in front of your eyes because it is the essence of a meal that we all leave the table remembering.

* A memorable meal at the Walnut Room in Chicago. That’s me at age 5 smiling at the camera.
As our world becomes filled with drive- thrus, vending machines and 24/7 activities our society is beginning to lose the meal. At one time or another we have all experienced the feeling of eating just to eat. The day is rushed and all of a sudden you realize you need food and find the simplest and quickest option without much thought elsewhere. It is my belief that a meal simply requires a connection to what you’re eating, whether it’s as simple as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or as extravagant as three- courses.

The traditional sit down meal was not an experience I grew up with every night. My mom is not a cook and never will enjoy the process of making a meal from scratch. In fact I grew up telling my mom she is the exact opposite of a "Fifties- style" mom. She didn’t serve homemade cookies after school and doesn’t have any secret “mom” recipes for chicken noodle soup. This is not the typical background of a foodie since it is no surprise to anyone when a famous chef, food writer or home cook attributes their love of food to a lifetime of shared recipes from family and friends. My love of food was something I was born with and even though my mom did not teach me how to cook or serve complete meals every night( forgetting side dishes was a common occurrence) she provided me with a life of joy with food in the center, homemade or not.

I know what it means to enjoy food, and what it feels like to share a meal with loved ones at the table. To many the meal may feel like an obligation, another daily ritual just like brushing your teeth. The meal in itself may just be food and table settings, but what occurs teaches us about each other, about our past and connects us as a society.

I encourage you all bring back the meal, foodie or not, because when food and love are combined only good things can happen.

Brunch has always been one of my favorite meals. Served at the perfect time of day, it’s the kind of meal that seems to force us all to slow down and relax. The best part is that a great deal of brunch items can be prepped and prepared ahead of time, keeping the atmosphere stress free and enjoyable. Try this recipe for Baked Orange French Toast that can easily be prepped the night before and placed in the oven the morning of the brunch.

Baked Orange French Toast
Recipe from the Betchel Victorian Mansion Bread and Breakfast Inn
6 Slices day old bread( French bread works nicely)
¼ cup butter, melted
½ cup brown sugar
¼ tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. orange zest
4 eggs beaten
2/3 cup Orange Juice
Place the melted butter in a 8X10 oven safe baking dish. Combine the brown sugar, orange zest and cinnamon and pour over the butter.
Combine the eggs and orange juice in a separate bowl. Dip the slices of bread in the mixture and place on top of the butter brown sugar mixture in the baking pan.
At this point the french toast can be placed in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake place in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes.
Once you take the pan out of the oven allow it to cool slightly. Flip the pan over onto the serving plate so that the caramelized brown sugar and juice is on the top of the dish.