"you are sharing
your heart"
I was able to cook
dinner at nine years old. I cooked with many women in my San Francisco
neighborhood and preferred cooking to playing outside. It was my Nonna,
Marie, though, who really taught me.
She was a warm, kind,
woman, who didn't dislike a soul, a simple styled cook and a good baker.
I followed in her tiny kitchen, wondering how so many delicious meals
could come out of there. But Nonna did it, and she taught me three important
things. She said, "Kristine, taste with your mind - if the dish
sounds right, then the recipe is for you. Taste with your eyes, always
look to see how it will unfold on the plate." Lastly, she always
said, "Kristine when you cook, you are sharing your heart, so cook
enthusiastically."Nonna made her own
pasta. I loved helping, especially with ravioli, filling the little
'bibs' as she referred to the job. In the market, well my sweet Nonna,
did get a little aggressive as she opened her pocket book for only the
best, freshest, items. She would tell me, "Never have the deli
cold cuts sliced for you with the first open cut. Noooo, you tell them
to cut a slice away and then give you the amount you requested."
I do this today, and never get a dried out slice this way. I loved shopping
with my Nonna, I loved helping her put food away in the cleanest of
cupboards. I helped with safe
things, like breading foods, beating eggs, getting her the ingredients
needed. That way I learned what a spice was, how it came in a box, tin
can or her own container. I learned then how a certain item was cared
for and kept fresh. I washed vegetables and scrubbed potatoes. I never
got to use a knife, but I did use a wooden spoon. It was Nonna who taught
me dishes to cook, enjoy and love, dishes I passed on to my family and
friends. Sharing is a good thing. I am happy in my kitchen
because of a great teacher and funny woman, my Nonna, Marie. Today home
cooking from scratch is my passion. I have very old recipes that were
handed down as I grew up. But I am a feel and touch cook, happy cooking
for family and for many friends who never go away empty after one of
my meals.
About
Kristine: Kristine
has two daughters, one who is married with three children, the other
who is in the Air Force. She enjoys crocheting and quilting which she
says is a good thing to do while waiting for dough to rise.
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