Culinary Philosophy: The Aesthetics of Life in the Glow of Kitchen Fire

Life can be a collection of creation and innovation. Just as when we prepare delicious dishes, the combination of different ingredients can bring about unexpectedly delightful flavors.

——Keyang Wu

When the sunlight streams into the kitchen and filters through the rising steam of the food, different ingredients release their own unique aromas under Mr. Wu's skillful hands. Yet, they blend together in a wonderful way, making our mouths water.

“Life treats everyone fairly, yet everyone's life is completely different. The key difference lies in ‘creation’! We should learn to pursue in-depth thinking, and then creation will naturally take place.”

"If one doesn't think and chooses to drift with the tide, this state actually has a special meaning in Buddhism: Only when a person attains great wisdom can they refrain from overthinking, which is the state of 'appearing stupid while actually being wise'. So, if you don't possess such wisdom, you should think even more. Nowadays, young people often talk about 'lying flat', which is rather blind. We should learn to regulate the pressures in life, understand the importance of thinking and creating, find the best balance in life, and only then can we truly possess and embrace life!"

Where does the preciousness of life originate? It is not exclusive to literati and artists. Every person who is busy with life can capture the glimmer of life at any moment. All it takes is a delicate and perceptive heart, to pay attention to and cherish the fleeting moments around us, to understand the true meaning of life in the ordinary, and to discover what is precious!

As the last spoonful of the delicious dish was taken out of the pot, Mr.Wu deliberately selected a round plate with a rim. Beneath the billowing steam was a delicacy that was green with a hint of red. Mustard greens, hyacinth beans, dried radishes, meatballs were paired with streaky pork that had both fat and lean parts, and a few bright red Chinese wolfberries were scattered among them, making the dish perfect in terms of color, aroma and taste! Upon careful tasting, one could savor the fragrance of the meat, the freshness of the vegetables, and the faint sweet scent of the wolfberries... "If there were minced meat, the aroma would be more layered, but with the meatballs, it also has a unique flavor." That's right!

Mr.Wu's seemingly simple words, when applied to life, are actually saying that we should not be constrained by the rules and regulations of life. Occasionally going "beyond the norm" can also bring unexpected rewards!

The taste of mustard greens is slightly bitter when first put into the mouth, but after chewing, it reveals the unique sweet and fresh flavor of green vegetables. With the flavor of the mustard greens neutralizing it, the streaky pork no longer tastes greasy. Instead, it gives off the original aroma of the meat. This simple dish doesn't contain various flavor enhancers. Just a bit of soy sauce is enough to bring out the fragrance of each ingredient, and as a whole, it presents a harmonious and unified taste.

The beauty of life can manifest in the form of physical beauty, the charm of colors, and the deliciousness of flavors... The contemplation of life can include philosophical thinking, creative ideas, and insightful reflections... Mr.Wu deeply connects the beauty and contemplation of life, making every place a source of beauty and thought! In a corner of life that most people overlook, he unveils the profound meaning and wisdom of life.


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