The memories only food can create

My lack of inspiration has brought me to a complete standstill on this blog. Too many failed restaurants, tasteless food and disappointing cookies pushed me down a rabbit hole of flavourless inspiration. I have been on a little journey to find what inspires me again and it's been harder than I expected.

I went on a trip to Brazil in early March. If there is a place in the world that can ignite my love for delicious food it’s Brazil. And let me tell you, Brazil delivered! This trip was less about trying new things and more about returning to my childhood classics and showing them all to my boyfriend. 

Brazilians love food, life revolves around it. The joy of life is family and food. My family takes this very seriously. One of my family's favourite meals is my uncle’s churrasco. He makes one of the most delicious meats you will ever taste. It takes hours but it's all about chatting, spending time together and eating until you can’t anymore. My fondest memories in Brazil are of sharing food with my family. One time my uncle and I made fresh pasta for the whole family and I frequently reminisce about the opportunity to do that again.

Two years ago on easter weekend enjoying some fresh pasta made by my uncle and I

So, in Brazil having food with people who love food reignited my passion for this blog. There was a key moment that brought it all together. We were at a dinner with my godparents and some family friends and someone said: “I met Marcelo at the pizzeria, remember?” 

Marcelo is my godfather, they have all known each other for more than 30 years. I don’t know why but the fact that she emphasized the pizzeria when reminiscing about the first time they met made something in me click. I often think about memories through food and I know you do too. The pizza place was a key component of that memory and her life. That is where she met her friend Marcelo who would later introduce her to her future husband whom she will have 2 kids with and still be with today. 

Every time we are all in São Paulo we meet at this same restaurant. I always thought it was because the food was delicious and it was a fun experience. During this meal, I learned that this place marks an even more important place for this group of friends. My godfather spent 2 years studying abroad, 30 years ago he came back to São Paulo and met up with all his friends at this very spot. I don't know how often my godparents go to this restaurant but I do think my godfather sees it as a place of reunion. There is nothing better than seeing friends after so long.

There is something special about connecting food with memories. How many meals, foods and restaurants can you connect with specific memories? Brazilian carrot cake always reminds me of my childhood, my family and Brazil I’m feeling nostalgic, so I just made a Brazilian carrot cake to share with my friends. Coming back from this amazing trip has been hard this time. Maybe it wasn’t a long enough trip, maybe I have an amazing family that is hard to say goodbye to (I do) or maybe Brazil doesn't get any credit for the food and heart it has. 

Brazilian carrot cake has no spices and it’s covered in a chocolate ganache.

I miss my family, my friends and the energy of places like São Paulo. Vancouver has its charms but it's a place where you have to put so much effort into having food with friends. This should be organic, easy and fun. But why is it not working in Vancouver? Why is it so hard to grab a pizza with friends or beers after work? I have been here for almost 9 years and the effort of having a healthy easy social life has never been harder. I will always say yes to a dinner party, picnic, or snack after work. Sharing food with the people I love it's one of my favourite things and Vancouver is making this very difficult. I want to be surrounded by people who care about making memories over a slice of pizza that could change the course of our lives. 

So what am I going to do about it? I have no idea, for this one I am stumped. I want to have a life where I can explore and have new and delicious food with fresh ingredients, and have dinner parties with friends who want to come over. All this seems impossible in Vancouver. So yeah I don't have the next steps. Maybe Vancouver is not the place to create food memories. I need to keep reflecting and keep trying to find ways to connect with people in Vancouver. Get some of the Brazilian heart in here.

Lucky me, this is my family!