Casserole of Ideas

There are basically two types of casseroles. The first type is a conglomeration of ingredients, leftovers, and a culinary forgettable reassembled in a nice piece of earthenware, baked and hopefully presented in fine form where no one flavor is too prominent and a flavor and textural balance occurs. The second is a designed selection of ingredients, assembled in a specific order destined to highlight their individuality as well as their united flavor, aromatic, and textural qualities.

My opinion about casseroles may be juxtaposed to cooking techniques, their application, as well as ingredient selections and their combinations. Casseroles—ideas—must be assembled carefully. I am not a fan of scales and exact measurements; so in careful, I mean how the ideas tie together, pushing and pulling, creating tension, friction, and ultimately a better dish.

I must note that in creating tension in a dish, I am not looking for the simple m-80 in the toilet, rather the building of small fireworks, ultimately into a grand finale, with the actual surprise taking place in an opposite direction, getting you to think—saying, I did not see that coming; that was amazing, I cannot wait to see what is next.

Furthermore, while the first casserole will feed many people and satiate an inner hunger, it does not overwhelm and bubble over with passion, rather it demonstrates frugality. It compromises. It tries to make everyone happy—filling the stomach with something warm—while never really making anyone truly happy, elevating the simple or complex to a higher plane.

And now my point, the casserole of ideas. What I am slowly learning is that like these two types of casseroles, so is great food. Not every idea or expression may be represented in a singular dish or even one meal. There is more time tomorrow to present a different dish with refined ideas, techniques, and streamlined flavors. The casserole which is mind-blowing, over the top, and heartwarming—yes, food must also warm the heart—is one that removes ingredients like ideas.

Every day tens to hundreds of ideas spring forth and are spurred on in our minds. The key is deciding which ones go into the casserole and which ones are better served waiting on the Idea Shelf, to be called upon when they may be truly instrumental and shine brightly.