COOKING with HEART
for a FAMILY GATHERING
Since dawn, the kitchen had already come to life. My mother had started preparing the spices and cooking the rice in the morning. I did not record that process because I woke up a little late. Even so, the the atmosphere of the morning remained warm, filled with calm and steady activity as the beginning of our preparations for the day.
Today, I prepare traditional dishes for a family gathering. Everything began with a simple intention: to cook for togetherness, in the best way I could.
I started cooking rumpu rampe, a traditional vegetable dish that always reminds me of home. Each ingredient was prepared with patience, preserving the taste and the method of cooking as it has always been. This dish is not merely food, but a small effort to keep tradition alive.
Next, I cooked fish soup, allowing the broth to simmer slowly until it's fresh and savory flavors came together. To me, this dish carries an honest taste simple, unpretentious, and comforting.
I also prepared fish in tomato sauce, cooked with a rich tomato based sauce. The balance of sour, sweet, and savory flavors is a reminder that harmony often comes from simplicity when it is carefully prepared.
Among all the dishes, there was grilled fish, prepared by my father. I was not involved in the cooking process, but I received the final result with gratitude. Served with fresh basil sambal, this dish symbolizes togetherness to me that within a family, each person has a role, and we complement one another.