paradox of choice

i believe strongly in the paradox of choice. the theory goes that having too many options is not freeing but actually stressful, because it catches you up in a cycle of worrying that you may not be making just exactly the right choice from among so many nearly identical possibilities. one nice thing about southern france is that certain things are “done” and certain other things are “not done.” especially when it comes to food and cooking. certain mushrooms are cooked a certain way. lemon verbena has two growth cycles a year and must be pruned accordingly. little saltwater fish get fried and eaten whole. quince get turned into quince jellies. and padron peppers get blistered in olive oil until they char and wilt, and then are served with a dusting of sea salt. they are always good and they never change. call it the paradox of limitations.

spanish padron peppers (pementos de padrón)