Ways to remember people

Moab was awesome. Hiking, off-roading, and rafting. Happy start to the summer.

Today I was cooking--I like to cook up a couple things at once--while listening to Debussy. Part of "Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun" sounds a lot like the original theme to Star Trek.

The results of my cooking extravaganza were a pot of curry and an invented salad of veggies and garbanzo beans with tzatziki dressing. The thought occurred to me that I have collected a lot of recipes and been introduced to new foods by my roommates. I've previously thought about how different music sticks out in my memories of some of the houses I've lived in, so I thought I'd remember them here.

Andrea Pimentel made incredible alfredo, and listened to Moulin Rouge and Eric Clapton and Diana Krall.

At Tina's condo, punk in general, the Vandals, Bowling for Soup, Rob Thomas, Tina dabbling in Eminem, Amber and the Goo Goo Dolls, and one particular song by J Lo and LL Cool J. And the advent of Homestar Runner, though not musical, was significant in our apartment. Tina made fajitas and crepes, and Kristi raspberry balsamic chicken. This was also the place I lived when Cafe Rio opened in Provo.

At the Shanty, I remember ice cream cake and "I'm just a teenage dirtbag" playing on repeat.

And the glorious Random House. Lots of Ben Folds and Puccini, a little Modest Mouse. And, oh, the food. The whole ward over for brunch every other week. Sarah's triple chocolate cake. Amanda introduced me to the wonder of onions, how to make marinara from scratch, spanakopita, and fresh mozzarella. Kjerstin concocted curries, and showed me how the sweetness of a little pineapple or pear really fills out the perfect curry, and that fancy party food is totally worth it.

Skipping a few years of high roommate turnover and less delicious food, in the Beige Condo there was Erienne introducing me to lovely Japanese food.

With Marlena I discovered I wasn't a huge fan of Vietnamese food (sorry) and a big fan of delicious Marlena Chicken: In a crockpot, chicken, bell peppers, carrots, paprika, and a bay leaf. And the importance of a rice cooker.

From Tricia (lots of Country Music) I inherited Tricia Chicken, a mix of zucchini, tomatoes, and cream of celery soup, Bruschetta Chicken bake, gingerbread scones, and by way of Annie, white chili.

Through the years I've inherited recipes from people I babysat for, too, among other places, but the gals I've lived with have definitely changed my life, and cooking skills, for the better!