THE POWERS OF FOOD

Last night, i went out with my dad to have dinner at our fave steamboat restaurant. On our way there, we chatted about all sorts of stuff and of course, both of us being 'kaki makan', some how eventually our conversation always turns to food. About a new place we should try or a new recipe etc.
Anyway, I was telling him about Nasi Pakapau recipe (another one of our fave). For those who are thinking what the heck is Nasi Pakapau, it is actually a simple meal of white rice, minced beef or chicken, fried with some sort of an herb and fried egg, a choice between a sunny side up or telur dadar. But don't ever be fooled by its simplicity. It is actually very good. Anyway, I was telling him that I think I know what herb it is that they put in the minced meat that makes it taste sooo good and maybe we should try it some time.
Then suddenly, he said, "Macam mana nenek masak nasi goreng la. Kan dia goreng sekali dengan hirisan daun sup. Ikan bilis pulak dia tumbuk-tumbuk dulu baru campur dalam paste nasi goreng tu. Tu yang buat sedap tu. Bila tergigit hirisan daun sup buat rasa dia lain sikit, tapi sedap..." My dad seldom talks about my nenek (this is my nenek on my mother's side by the way, whom I was so close to that they call me 'anak nenek'). She passed away about 2 years ago but I still miss her terribly. Anyway, as I was saying, when my dad mentioned her last night, I can almost taste her nasi goreng and more importantly, I felt as if she was still around and at that moment, though I miss her more than ever, it doesn't hurt so bad.
That is when I realize that even though she's gone, my beloved nenek lives on, through her cooking. She was a great cook, she loves cooking and what makes her cooking taste so good and special,even if it was something simple is not only because of how she does it but because she cooks with love and that was what I tasted (or felt) last night when I thought I tasted her nasi goreng. And thus, she lives on...