10/19/2026
I cook to nourish not just the body, but the soul. Tonight, I brought my father over. He suffers from dementia but recognizes flavors from his past. I made him an Iranian classic dish called ab-goosht; a beef (or lamb) stew flavored with saffron, turmeric and dried Persian limes. He and my grandma used to make it when I was a kid. I believe food has the power to transcend the negative effects of aging or any of life’s challenges for that matter. It’s a default setting. A return to basics. A meal can unlock a core memory in us and bring us back to a time we fondly remembered while simultaneously creating a new memory. Flavor, presentation and technique aside, cooking is my ultimate love language.
