I have never been a particularly moderate eater. The phrase “eyes bigger than your belly” has been levelled at me more times than I care to disclose. When eating out at a restaurant I live in constant fear of ordering too little, and the words “recommended serving size” long ago lost any real meaning for me. I am convinced that the “correct” amount of pasta is always twice as much as they suggest on the packet, sometimes more.
I am a self-confessed greedy girl, who at this time of year switches from white wines and rosés to full-bodied reds, like McGuigan’s Black Label Merlot – it’s just as perfect for unwinding in the evenings after a long day at work or served alongside a long, lazy Sunday lunch.
But there’s no denying that greed is most often portrayed as a negative thing. Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins after all, and it’s difficult to tune out the siren call of diet culture that has infiltrated so many aspects of our lives. We are now reminded by restaurant menus of how many calories our meal contains, whether we want to know or not; magazines and TV shows push diets on us under the guise of “wellness” – repackaging the restrictive eating culture of the 90s under the slightly more benign facade of self-care.
And yet food – good food, tasty food – is one of the few pleasures open to all, more democratic than travel or fancy clothes. You can just as easily make a delicious meal with some pasta and a handful of tomatoes as you can with the finest sirloin steak.
Why then, should we not have as much of it as we like? In the words of the infamous Gordon Gekko, greed is good, at least when it comes to food. Which brings me to the change of seasons. Fellow gluttons, the onset of the colder months truly is our time to shine! Autumn calls for roast potatoes cooked in goose fat, rich stews and braised meats. Gravy on everything, and an apple crumble to finish.
Life is too short to feel guilty or ashamed of our appetites – they should be indulged, celebrated even. Think of the pride you feel when friends help themselves to a second serving of a dish you’ve cooked – and then apply that pride to your own cravings.
McGuigan Wines are available in most UK supermarkets. For more information, please go to mcguiganwines.co.uk
