Elena N. (1) (SEI) about Food

SEI’s psychophysical state depends on how well they’ve slept and how well they’ve eaten. I used to not be able to function in the morning without a cup of coffee and a sandwich with butter and cheese. But even then, not right away—slowly, taking my time.

When I was in school, I had a ritual. I would set the table nicely for myself, place a book in front of me, and eat with pleasure. First course, second course, dessert, appetizer. Everything was in order, like in a restaurant, beautiful. I like mixed dishes, where there are many components.

On weekends, after my bath, my mother would sit me down at the table, in a scarf and pajamas, and serve me potatoes in milk—chopped potatoes soaked in milk. How could anyone eat that? It was awful! I never liked anything she cooked. But I loved everything my grandfather made. He would cook egg soup, semolina porridge.

SEI’s taste must be taken into account. If I don’t like something but am forced to eat it—I hate that. That fried onion floating in soup—I won’t eat it. Or when they chop up red onions into the dish—that’s awful!

I really liked and still like salads and dumplings. I didn’t eat mayonnaise until I was about fifteen. Everything was served to me separately, with sour cream. I didn’t like the smell of mayonnaise once, and that was it—I wouldn’t eat it. And then someone snuck it in, and I started eating mayonnaise.

Food must bring pleasure. I tried “herring under a fur coat” (a layered salad) when I was about twenty. I could eat a whole plate in one sitting.