Cooking?

Yesterday was my first foray into shopping with the intent to cook. It was….scary. Keep in mind that I don’t really cook at home unless provoked. My Hobo Nachos and popcorn over the stove notwithstanding…I really just don’t do it. Not really interested. But here in Gozo…it’s kinda what they do. They aren’t exactly a pre-packaged people here. In fact, they are so good about cutting down on waste and excess that in order to have bags to buy your groceries you have to pay .30€. So, I know it’s only a matter of time before I have to cook SOMETHING, which will be a challenge. Cooking for one is not really that worthwhile in my book. So for this first time around, I stuck to the friendly(yet minimal) sections of pre-prepared goodness. Frozen pizza. I can do that. Pasta n’ a bag. I can do that. I got some peanut butter – they only have 1 kind – so that I can make some pb & j’s. I got some frozen, pre-made pot-pies. I can do those too. But I’m scared of everything else. And I’ll tell you this – the flavors are really what’s interesting. In the chip aisle you’ll see prawn flavor. Yes, that’s right. Prawn. Or tomato flavor (which makes me want to gag because it reminds me of the “ketchup flavor” potato chips my aunt found for my ketchup-lovin’ sister once) or get this – PAPRIKA flavor. Seriously. Paprika. I also found a couple of packages of what I assume are Malta’s version of “Ramen Noodles.” The other good (and bad) news is that I found the Doritos I loved in Ireland – they are called Chili Heatwave and I almost wish I hadn’t found them since it’s a goal to lose weight while I’m here, not stuff my face from morning until night with Doritos. And I’m not saying I did that in Ireland. But you can infer.

When I brought it all home it occurred to me that I’d never discussed the stove/oven with my landlord. As I waited for it to heat up I had a vague recollection of my Easy-Bake oven with the light bulb for a heater and wondered if I was going to end up getting sick. But, shock of all shocks, the oven heated up nicely without any plugs blowing or food starting on fire, and 10 minutes later I was eating a pretty decent prosciutto pizza (with the tomatos picked off of course – who has room for veggies?) I will say that I think I should be concerned for my lack of dairy here. Going from a solid 2 – 3 servings a day back home in various forms to nada here is really probably not good. I’ll have to request some calcium supplements from home. They do have milk here but…I just don’t trust it. I can’t be sure it comes from a cow to start with. They have quite a bit in the cheese department so I think I’m going to try to consume mass quantities in this area (cuz that’ll be tough). But I had a hankering for some yogurt today and the sparse collection in the “rice dairy” section just didn’t really pass muster. *sigh.* Good thing I DID find some Nesquick to flavor up any milk I do decide to swallow. Ahhh chocolatey goodness.

Today (Sunday) is my last day of my self-imposed vacation before I get started on “working” while I’m here. I updated my CV and I gotta tell you it is LAME. But you gotta start somewhere, right? I overheard a Scottish girl get a job washing dishes at It-Tokk Coffee Shop yesterday. She just walked right in and got the job starting last night. I’m hoping it’ll be that easy for me to walk into one of the museums and start immediately. Riiiiiigggght. Fingers crossed everyone.