Pushing The Comfort Zone

  I will be the first to admit that I get bogged down in what is comfortable and have a hard time easing my way into something new.  Stepping out of that comfort zone seems intimidating enough but throw in a new experience and, well, it can be downright daunting.  With the help of my kids, I have been trying new things, learning new things and experiencing new things.  This is good as they tell me that it will keep the brain functioning in a smooth manner.  Something better as that mind is always rambling off into some weird, fantasy land of critters, swamps and mires.  

  Lately, most of my time has been in the kitchen doing a lot of home-canning.  The shelves are filled with enough jars of goodies to tide us over through whatever may come our way.  In the past two weeks, Son and I have canned over 250 jars of just about everything imaginable.  Not only do the pantry shelves look nice, I can rest assured that food will be on the table.  It was while making a batch of sweet gherkin pickles that an idea struck.  Years ago, I had the most delicious muffuletta that I have ever eaten.  Anyone who knows muffulettas knows that you have to have giardiniera on it or it just ain't so!  I needed to make giardiniera!  That was something far out of my comfort zone but when that wild idea struck, it was best to just go with it.  I did.

  Now, there are some lovely jars of the "olive salad" sitting on the shelf just waiting to be savored.  The two week waiting period seems to be a lifetime, however, so a small jar is in the fridge.  I shall give it a week, the sample my efforts!  My only problem was a shortage of hot peppers and olives.  A few substitutions here and there never hurt anyone, I guess!  Giardiniera!  Step out of the comfort zone, folks.  Try something new.  Go for it and, sometimes, you may just be surprised at the outcome!