Great Friends Make Great Food

People come together to make and share food, enjoy each other's company, and start conversations that define

themselves, while they learn from others.

"Great Food Make Great Friends" are a series of short-stories about just what goes into a meal, and what

and what comes out of it!

</preamble>

Julie, and Jim both love to cook. They each live alone, but have been to each other's places many times

to dine and have great conversations.

They like to make a grocery list for the evening meal. Sometimes they shop together, and sometimes they

bring ingredients they have on-hand -

Julie: "I feel like lamb tonight"

Jim: "perfect me too.. I have fresh rosemary I can bring. We should plan a salad too"

Julie: "How do you feel about a spinach and fruit w/ maybe poppy seed dressing"

Jim: "yeah some sliced apples and maybe walnuts as a garnish would be good with that too"

Julie: "I'm thinking side dishes now.. something with mushrooms and/or green beans and garlic"

Jim: "cool we can pick all that stuff up - I like a little terriaki w/ my mushrooms, and maybe some cubed onion"

Julie: "Alright, so what time are you coming over?"

Jim: "I can swing by after work, and I'll hit up the grocery on the way so we'll have what we need.

Jim arrived at Julie's in the early evening with a bag of groceries, was welcomed at the door, and given

a peck on the cheek.

Julie: "How shall we start?"

Jim: "I think the veggies will take the longest, so let's get those going and you can chop this onion"

Julie: "Chopping onions makes me sad," she grinned.

Jim: "I'll get the salad going - do you have a big bowl? Enough to toss the salad in? Do you like walnuts?"

Julie: "I'll give the walnuts a try, the big bowl is up and to your left."

Jim: "Great I'll make this now and throw it in the fridge to chill it"

Julie: "I've got the mushrooms and onions and garic and some greenbeans - cooking down now"

Jim: "So how was today, Julie? I'm happy that we get to have this time now - may days was hectic"

Julie: "Slow day, but yeah, glad to be cooking!"

Julie: "I think its time to put the lamb chops on - I'll do them for about 5min, flip then 2min or so

not too tough, but enough to bring out the flavor

Jim and Julie were never afraid to smell or taste any of their food while cooking - often they could discover

a 'missing ingredient' as simple as salt, or pepper, or tomato. They have been cooking together for a while

and are getting used to each others tastes in food.

The smells from the kitchen were delicious, and Julie plated Jim and her meals, while Jim put out the salad.

They put on some music and chatted into the evening - about their day, about their past, and about their dreams.

Julie likes talking about her dreams and Jim loves to listen. At the end of the night, they said goodnight

and agreed to cook up some more food and conversation for next time!

Aqua Q Labs; a subtext