Anxiety Baking, Entry 1

1. roasted eggplant and giant white mushrooms (in big fat cubes) tossed with balsamic vinegar, rosemary, olive oil, and chopped garlic

2. roasted red potatoes (in big fat cubes) with cayenne and olive oil

3. roasted acorn squash

4. chips made from Tuscan "dinosaur" kale leaves tossed with olive oil and salt, then baked crisp on cookie sheets.

5. minimalist pea soup: small peas (delicately thawed organic stuff) pureed with fresh watercress, sweet butter, and a skosh of cream.

6. seasonal fruit relish: fresh cranberries, fresh kumquats, gala apples, and walnuts processed with a little sugar until minced and scrumptious.

Today is the girlfriend's birthday. Feeling a little lonely without her. So I cook.