Confidence and Cauliflower

A little secret about me: I am amazingly self-social. I very much enjoy my own company.

When I am at the shop, in the the kitchen baking and making all that love and magic, I prefer to do so solo–but most times I can’t. Growth just won’t let my self-social ways be great.

When customers ask if I am available, my staff will protectively say, “Let me check to see if she is still here,” though they just saw me 3.7 seconds ago.

Since I’m telling the whole truth, my staff will even feign a “problem in the kitchen” if they see I’ve been hemmed up by a well-meaning guest…who after seven or eight minutes is breaking out her phone to show me her dream cake for her dream wedding/birthday/bridal shower/family reunion without having a scheduled consultation.

I love my staff. Truly, I do.

Lately I’ve had to be more front and center…had to show my face more, speak publicly to groups, cook in front of folks…

And I always want to throw the fuggg up beforehand.

Before a recent event, I confided in my youngest sonshine about being nervous.

“What if they don’t like it?” I asked.

“Well, if they don’t like it, they’ll never say it because they won’t want to be rude. So, technically, you’ll never know. So don’t even think about it. It doesn’t matter what they think,” he replied.

Not the confidence builder I was looking for but…it worked.

Moral of this story? Stay self-social. Don’t ask nobody shit, lol! Especially my youngest sonshine.

No, seriously, in his wisdom, I quickly reminded myself that what I choose to think about raises or lowers my confidence. It never matters what others think about what I do…about what I put my love and magic into.

So, I think this Sweet ‘n Sour Cauliflower is pretty perfect in a bowl or a wrap, in my hand, in my mouth! I hope you enjoy it, too, but according to my youngest sonshine…it doesn’t matter if you do -_-

Til next time, Reine

Sweet n’ Sour Cauliflower with Chinese Five Spice Brown Rice

How to make the Cauliflower…you will need:

One, small-ish head of cauliflower cut into bite-size pieces

Gluten-free Tempura recipe here

Sweet n’ Sour Sauce

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 TBSP rice wine vinegar
• 2 TBSP agave
• 1 TBSP tamari (gluten -free soy sauce…or use soy sauce if you like)
• 1 TBSP sesame oil
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Directions for Sweet n’ Sour Sauce:

1. Place all of the sauce ingredients in a small pot and whisk together until combined. Allow to simmer for 6-7 minutes, then lower heat and just let your mouth water until the cauliflower is cooked.

Five Spice Brown Rice

• 3 cups of water
• 1 1/2 cups of brown rice
• 2 tsp Chinese Five Spice seasoning
• 1 tsp coconut oil

Directions for brown rice:

1. Combine your water and brown rice in a pot and cover with a lid. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and allow to cook–unbothered–for 25-30 minutes or until tender.

2. Once rice is tender turn off heat, remove lid, and add coconut oil and Chinese Five Spice seasoning and stir with a fork. Keep the lid off until ready to eat.

3. Once ready to assemble plate, feel free to sprinkle on a few black sesame seeds…’cause you fancy.

Assemble your plate! I like to add fresh cucumber slices so I feel like I’m being healthy. Sliced greens onions are typical and fitting, as well. You know, it’s your kitchen. Do you.