I remember vividly the time I was in a small village in the heart of southern Italy. I was in a small town in Calabria and it was mid morning - nearing lunch time (which is when you enjoy your largest meal of the day - followed by a siesta of course). We'd had a busy morning and my brioche and espresso for breakfast some four hours prior and certainly worn off.
I was getting hungry.
I remember travelling around the town visiting the village elders when we stopped by one ladies house and was invited inside (because of course she knew my husbands parents) - so we talked (ok, I listened) but I was overcome by the most amazing aroma from the kitchen. In small villages, the houses are small too. We were sitting in the kitchen/dining room/lounge room. I could see the little pot bubbling away on the stove, and I could no longer sit in silence. I commented how beautiful the smell of her sauce was cooking. Before I knew, she had scooped up a small spoon on a plate, next to some crusty bread and put it in front of me.
I relished it and cannot describe in words how delicious this sauce was. We couldn't communicate with words, but her expression at my enjoyment of the food that she had cooked was enough!
Before we left that town on the next leg of our journey, that same lady travelled to where we were staying and passed me this note. The recipe to that very same sauce. I only remembered I had it whilst reading this book! It's been sitting idle in my cupboard for over 5 years! Now I just need to translate it and get to making it!
What's happening at your house? Stop by Lou's to join in the fun xx
Brenda! Get that recipe onto your blog immediately! LOML will translate if you're desperate... x
ReplyDeletecan't wait to see that recipe ! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure! I dont suppose youll be posting the recipe? lol
ReplyDeleteFood can conjure up great memories. You'll have to make up the sauce to see if it as good as you remembered.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story ! I have EaT pRAY love and haven't started it yet , must soon .
ReplyDeleteOh...YUM ! I think I put on 20kgs just reading Eat, Pray, Love! Let alone the 20kgs I put on travelling around Italy. What a great story....I love it :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with translating it - what a memory - I think that I am going to have to go out and get this book (humm wondering if I should do it before or after I see the movie:)
ReplyDeleteI was lazy and went to see the movie last night instead of reading it. I enjoyed it. Can't say I absolutely loved it but it was definitely entertaining and thought provoking. The food in Italy did look amazing in the movie and wow, you will now (soon) have some of the same at your house. Lou.
ReplyDeletewow what an absolute treasure to have!
ReplyDeleteI adore that book and Italy is the absolute number 1 on our list of places to go and visit when we get the chance :)
Mmmmm your story is gorgeous. Lovely post and blog! Hope your week is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous scene you painted for us. I'm very jealous! My parents come from Calabria and only visited their once when I was 8 years old so you can understand that I don't have such romantic notions of Italy...I was bored! I'm sure if I returned I would appreciated the countryside and the beautiful views of the sea from a clifftop cafe...
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