On most days I begin to think of what to eat over the course of that day almost from the time I get up, or at latest once I’ve start my morning coffee. Meals, or better yet, planning and making meals consumes my thoughts like low level background noise - a chronic buzzing if you will. To me, that semi-conscious mental effort is a typical sign of the peasant’s way of life; not one based on a need to be victorious over my meals, but to merge the meal into the story of my day more like a chapter’s end than a climax.

It’s not about how to out do myself this evening with a stupendous display of culinary skill. Quite the contrary in fact, I am at my best when thinking of how to make do with the foods I already have in the house, or how little I’d need to buy to get it all done; a peasant might need to borrow from a neighbour, or visit the cellar, but fully-stocked stores were hard to come by. My home is not overly stocked with every ingredient and vegetable, it’s quite spartan actually. I enjoy Nigella Lawson’s cooking shows, but in no way is my home stocked like hers, nor will it ever be.

By and large, I have failed at most of the extravagant meals I’ve tried to cook. Not disastrously, I’ve never killed or poisoned anyone (to my knowledge). Those meals all seemed to be way too much effort for the little extra enjoyment that came out of them; much more of a bother than a treat. Simple(r) is my strength, best illustrated by the fact that since we’ve moved to Townsville most summer evening meals are nothing more than barbecued meat along with a salad, and a beer. No preparation necessary, just take stock of what we have then buy some meat (I don’t freeze meat, or chicken, or whatever), so in that case I will buy daily.

My choice of television cooks also shows my peasantry. As mentioned Nigella Lawson is one of them. Her simplicity and seduction of food and eating take my breathe away - although she is a little strong on the gadget side of things, but hey we all indulge, and indulge she does in sweets with gusto and no request for forgiveness - thank you for that! More thumbs up for The Two Fat Ladies, and The Two Hairy Bikers. Each of them has that raw, almost primitive, nature to their cooking styles. And last but not least is, wait for it... The Urban Peasant, James Barber. I think watching his shows many years ago turned my slight interest in cooking out of necessity, into something I could really enjoy. “Make do with what you got” is something he said often, and so was born my delight in cooking meals.

What about having people over, or going to dinner at their place? I have a simple rule which I feel is particularly indicative of the peasant way of life: when at someone else’s home, you eat what they eat and drink what they drink, and do so the way it is served (and yes I expect no less of this behaviour of myself and family). I refuse to cook separate meals for kids. There’s one meal made and that’s for everyone. We insist our son show that same decency when he eats at a friend’s place or with us; if there’s a particular item of the meal that does not suit his tastes, then we ask that he finish what is served and not ask for seconds, simple really.

I despise the need, or worse the expectation, to make available at my dinner table everyone’s favourite drink, or vegetables cooked a special way, or to have the meats made to satisfy all concerned - in short, I’m not a restaurant so don’t place your orders with me. Bringing a bottle of wine is wonderful , but not if you expect it to be drunk automatically as a part of the meal. It may, then again it may not - don’t worry, we’ll have plenty on hand.

In return for this, I also expect no help on your part when visiting my home. You won’t be asked to help set the table (simple as it may be), cut the turkey, or worse, help with the dishes. Sit back, relax enjoy, and enjoy a drink if it pleases you, while you watch me cook the meal. And watch you will, because only on rare occasions will I prepare something ahead of time like a large lamb, chicken or roast; otherwise, I don’t start the meal until the guests arrive - as mentioned, I’m not a restaurant, this is my home and if you’re in it at my request, then I’m prepared to serve you as a special guest.

As for drinking, that too is pretty simple. I call it the European diet: I only drink water, coffee, wine or beer...because after that you’re a peein’.

I’m not really a favourites kind of person when it comes to drink. I have my standby brands, but that’s really all they are, standbys for when I can’t make up my mind about what to try today, so try me. Slowly, the taste of brandy is beginning to grow on me, but time will tell whether it sticks. And port is a nice change from time to time.

My son asked me that “...if I was forced to choose between only wine or beer which would it be?” Beer, which was a surprise to my wife. You see I can’t drink wine (red as it is) when the weather is warm; however, I can drink cold beer anytime and do, so when in doubt... beer it is.

So you see, simplicity and humility form the nature of my meal planning, and that to me is the peasant’s way, a way I cherish to be honest. I am easy to please as long as you’re not trying to impress me, and that same sentiment holds true for having people over for dinner. I cook to feed you, not impress you. That’s the peasant way.

Oh, and my favourite meal? A ploughman’s lunch: pickled and/or fresh vegetables, some cheese, and a few cold cuts all married with bread, and topped off with a nice bottle of wine or a beer. The only thing that can make it better is the company I’m sharing it with, and the location...

...somewhere on a hillside under a shady tree over looking a valley. Then I’m happy.

John Daicopoulos