What’s your favorite food (meal)?

This question came up in my family the other day. It was trivial but, amid the usual tired topics — world politics and disasters — it felt like a breath of fresh air.

We were enjoying an Indian takeaway when the discussion started. Well, most of the family was. My oldest son announced that it was worse than “cat’s shit.” I’m not sure about his experience with cat’s shit, but he was very vocal about his dislike of Indian food. I argued with him — I’ve enjoyed Indian food on many occasions, especially during my studies in England. I’d pick Indian food over, say, Japanese, any day. My son found my comparison ridiculous.

I then asked my mom what her favorite food was — she had been quietly listening to our debate. “Meal or a specific product?” she asked. “Both,” I said.

“Cheese,” she answered, “and baked vegetables.”

The question was then returned to me.

“Coffee,” I said without hesitation.

“That’s not food,” my mom said.

“Still coffee,” I replied. To be more precise, I love my breakfast most of all: black coffee and eggs. It doesn’t always have to be eggs, but I do love them — fried or boiled. And a toast or a bagel. Sometimes, I’ll also have some smoked, wild-caught salmon I buy at Costco.

This was my breakfast this morning: