break pasta
throw pasta in kettle
plate
open ketchup bottle
sprinkle diced pineapple
“Human, I have recreated the dish known as spaghetti”
“I probably don’t have Italian ancestors, but something is screaming” -- Anon Guest
To damn Companion Mu with faint praise, Human Rain could only say that ze had the concept correct. Cook pasta in boiling water. Add tomato sauce. And, because Rain was vegetarian, add vegetables to the mix. Theoretically, it was a pasta dish that was perfect for human consumption. Theoretically, it was perfectly edible.
Palatable was another matter entirely.
"Uhm..." Rain tried to figure out how ze could put this politely. "I know you nailed the theory, but. Um. The flavour profile isn't... quite... there."
"Wrong ingredients?" guessed Mu.
"And procedure," said Rain. "Kettles are just for boiling water, not cooking things. Pots are for cooking in. And it's a good idea to cook the sauce with multiple ingredients in a different pot. I can show you if you like. Walk you through my favourite recipe."
"I appreciate the opportunity to learn," said Mu, putting hir previous effort into the molecular recycler.
"All right. First, the mince replacement. Tofu, celery, walnuts, onion, mushrooms, a bell pepper, tomato paste, and a whole heap of herbs and spices." Rain lead Mu into hir kitchen, gathering ingredients onto hir prep area. "I usually do this in lots, but this will be two servings. It should be safe enough to share with you."
"How much is one of your lots?"
"Twenty servings. I get a lot lazy and having a stock helps me out with anti-motivation. Now let's get started by mashing the tofu with a fork..."
Humans had rituals associated with their food. Superstitions that were unthinkable to break. And an order of proceedings that had resulted from generations of trial and error.
When it was done right, the pasta was delicious.
[Photo by Melissia Ohol on Unsplash]
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