Food Memoir

Popovers are the first thing I remember. As we got seated at the table and started looking over the menus. It was quiet and not very busy. I could see the server station and someone looking over our table to see when we are ready.  They brought over a seemingly boring piece of bread with some fruity butter. But as soon as you broke into the crispy hard shelled outside with the steamy gooey inside. Paired with the sweat and silky strawberry butter. 

This was completely different then everything I had before. I enjoyed the subtle dessert-like sweetness for an appetizer which would normally be crunchy bread served with cold butter. But this was different. There was a history to it just like how there was a history as to why we were being served chicken broth. This bread was an explosion of batter. With webs that grow complex and have airy pockets. As soon as you tear open the crispy bread you get hit with a large amount of hot steam. One would look at it and see something to be shared but as soon as it opened up it became clear that only one person would be enjoying it. 

How could I recreate something that seems so complex? I stayed away from the challenge as I didnt think I could be the one to create an explosion of joy with lots of complex ingredients. Finally I was asked to be the one to make the popovers for the family meals, so I decided to give it my best. I was overwhelmed by how simple and contained it started which eventually led to chaos in the pan. The batter was a simple mixture of eggs, flour, and milk. Seemingly normal as almost all recipes start this way. But as soon as I pour them into the pan and watch and wait in front of the oven. I then saw the chaos, yet it was contained by its own limitations. Almost a safety measure to ensure it doesn't get stuck on the rack above. As soon as I took them out of the oven I started to think about how similar I am to this pastry. On the outside I seem predictable and normal. The crispy shell seems to hold in a packed amount of bread. But as you open it up there is a large web of dough spread throughout. Made in a simple family with few factors but I was able to explode with complex depth. 

A seemingly overlooked piece of bread can turn into something you crave. Most people never try as they think it will be unremarkable and are not willing to eat something filling while waiting for their main meal. If you took a chance on the piece of bread, you would get hit with warm steam and a complex filling for you to enjoy.