Dinner Party!

I hosted a pre-conference dinner on Friday night. Since I prepared for a group of 30 guests, I will be posting the recipes for you in the next week (in a smaller serving size). As mentioned in a previous blog, writing down the measurements will be the challenge. Bear with me, it will be worth it. Wanted to share some of the photos:

The Great Antipasto TenorsAntipasto “Sopreso” (which means surprise)

asparagus Steamed Asparagus with fresh lemon

potatoes Potatoes with Fresh Parsley “Flakes”

salmon and mustard Oven Poached Salmon with Mustard (baret of cucumbers-lemons-limes)

green bean salad Green Bean Salad with Wine Vinegar (I used my Uncle Mike’s home made vinegar)

peas and sausagePadella of Peas, Sweet Onions and Mushrooms served with Roasted Sausage

recipes will be forthcoming.

Maria

Breaking Bread in L’Aquila Facebook Page

Hi Everybody,

Help support my book launch!

Please join us and tell your friends about my Breaking Bread in L’Aquila Facebook page.

More to come,

maria !

Countdown!

You will notice a new addition to my blog site: foodandfate.blogspot.com. We just added a “count down clock” for my book launch: Breaking Bread in L’Aquila, pub date: April 6, 2010.

Stay tuned for more events as we count down to the book launch.

Good things happen with time…….

maria !

We Have Not Forgotten

As mentioned in a previous blog, I am publishing my first book titled “Breaking Bread in L’Aquila”. The book has a collection of 49-recipes that are simple, fresh and rustic. The recipes are primary adaptations from a trattoria, San Biagio, owned by two brothers. We used to eat at this small and charming trattoria all the time. It was our home away from home!

On April 6, 2009, there was an earthquake in L’Aquila, the region of Abruzzo. It was devastating and also sad to hear about my late husband’s hometown that I grew to love.

I wanted to share with you my response to Michael Kimmelman’s article “An Italian City Shaken To Its Cultural Core,” which appeared in the New York Times on December 24. Here’s the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/arts/24abroad.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1262624698-P4Cn8IYifWRMgyaAdK4+NQ

I appreciate Michael Kimmelman’s realistic treatment of the issues and challenges with which L’Aquila is now faced. I was in L’Aquila at the end of September, and I saw first hand the scaffolds, tents, red zones, and emergency relief volunteers working to help.

My response comes from a place of understanding grief. Just as with a personal loss, people are often very attentive at the first. Then, after a while, fewer people check in. Finally, you are faced with the reality of picking yourself up and dealing with the loss. People of L’Aquila are grieving for the city that they call home. When we move from an environment, lose our jobs, or deal with the death of a loved one, it can be challenging. But imagine that the place you call home is now gone. Can a new home ever replace the memories of this lost space? I don’t think so.

Things will never be the same. How could they? But we need to continue to help and to not let the people of L’Aquila become discouraged.

When I was leaving L’Aquila on my short visit in September 2009, in the lobby sitting next to me was an older woman. We made eye contact. I smiled, and she asked me what I was doing in L’Aquila. I told her that I was finishing my book and that I had wanted to see L’Aquila once more before I could put closure on my book’s introduction. She looked at me and said, “Don’t forget about us.” I was moved, and, my eyes wet with tears, I promised her that I would help by donating the net profits of my book to L’Aquila.

My marketing campaign is “We have not forgotten.” I hope to sell millions of copies in support of L’Aquila.

Yes, it won’t be same. Perhaps with the “new,” and with time, people will fall in love with their city and appreciate what they have. But it’s hard right now for them to feel blessed when they have a lot to grieve.

It’s my daily affirmation.

It’s a wrap…and I don’t mean turkey wrap!

Over the weekend, my photographer, Carolyn Pulford, and I finished shooting a total of 49 recipes for my book. Believe me, it’s been like preparing weekly Thanksgiving dinners since Labor Day. Not to mention that there were many re-takes from plating something and then realizing “Oops! I forgot an ingredient!” At times, my “no recipe” upbringing came out!

We worked almost every weekend, which meant planning, grocery shopping, chopping, prepping, cooking, and food styling, all before we could say “lights . . . cameras . . . action!” There was no crew, just me. Carolyn would call me before she arrived, giving me a heads-up to get the pasta water boiling. Then she would begin the magic of prepping the lights, cameras, and backdrops before the sultry dishes were photographed.

It felt like working a fashion shoot, prepping my creations for the catwalk. At the same time, it was important to make sure that the colors, plates, and textures all worked together to produce picture-perfect shots. Plating is an important aspect of preparing our meals. You may be thinking, “What is Maria talking about when during the week I barely have time to get things ready in the kitchen!” Well, our eyes also have an appetite. If it looks good on the plate, it always tastes delicious. In my book, you will find that the recipes are simple but that I always strive to make it attractive—from garnishes of grass skirts of parsley to basil top hats! Work it and have fun!

Wishing each of you a Happy Thanksgiving and breaking bread with friends and family.