Nancy marie
“What keeps me motivated is not the food itself but all the bonds and memories the food represents.” “In the childhood memories of every good cook, there's a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot and a mom.”
As I revert back to my childhood, I recall a memory.
I vision my young self in the family dining room.
I am amongst my extended family, eating and making memories..
Like it were yesterday, I recall waking on Sunday morning to the bold
aroma of my Mammas Sunday gravy.
I would wake, eyes wide open, strut down the hallway and into the kitchen. I would pull a chair to the kitchen sink and climb up to witness an eel swimming in the sink.
This eel would meet it’s destiny at the hands of my grandma.
Grandma felt it served the family better in Mammas Sunday gravy.
Then, Mia Bella Mamma would yell for me to get down off the chair and sit at the table.
I was the meatball tester, every Sunday. Breakfast would hit the table.
Mammas meatball (only allowed one) on top a piece of white bread with some gravy; proceeded by; "How are my balls"! They were amazing, always amazing Mamma.
The importance of food was instilled from a very young age.
It was mandatory we ate as a family every evening.
Our parents taught us this was the most important part of our day.
It was the part of the day where we would meet together, discuss our day,
our plans and even some gossip.
All this catching up as we passed the Corningware filled with plentiful food!
I was blessed we had that time together.
My parents Italian heritage taught me to appreciate food, not only as a way to create memories, but as an artistic, culinary extension of myself.
I do not make food, I experiment with ingredients, to create a memorable meal, one that makes you come back for seconds.
As an adult, I am an outstanding cook and a foodie. I enjoy preparing beautiful fresh food; I enjoy experimenting; emulating Mammas recipes and creating new recipes. Most of all, I enjoy sharing my culinary talents with you.
Mangia, mangia!
Nancy Marie Giordano
