Attractively lively and animated, bubbling with enthusiasm and exuberance which flow effortlessly from an endless natural spring within the heart of the vivacious person, this is vivacità.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

White Chocolate Almond Cake

Took a crack at a glorified pound cake recipe. No leavening save for eggs. Cream cheese and finely chopped white chocolate set it apart. Very moist, very sweet. Very good - in small doses.




It never ceases to amaze me the brilliance one can create in a kitchen with ordinary ingredients and a little know-how!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Bouncing Bologna

Carefully Tom selects not-too-firm kiwi. He places them gently into a plastic bag, gives it a mild spin, and sets it in the hard, cold shopping cart. Same thoughtfulness with the bananas, the apples, the broccoli, the garlic, potatoes, and strawberries.

The egg carton is opened for inspection - twelve orbs, unbroken. Perfect.

Dates checked on dairy products.

Stooping for a closer look we study fresh, free-range meat behind the butcher's window selecting the choicest cuts. The kind butcher neatly wraps them and hands them over the display case with a smile.

Labels on oils are studied, cheeses sampled, even the chocolate is examined for rogue ingredients.

This is shopping for Tom and me at the farmers' market and our favorite specialty stores.

Then, to Winco we go. The big grocery store where we buy staples and household supplies is Saturday-crowded. Ridiculously over-sized shopping carts block aisles as people check lists, scold fussy children, plop bags of sugared cereals into carts already heaped with processed foods. Stunned was I to see a package of cheap bologna flung across my path from the refrigerated lunchmeat section to a cart where it literally bounced a couple of times before it quieted. The shopper crossed it from her list. Her husband, leaning on the cart, began to move again, her child continued spastically jumping, white sucker-stick protruding from red-sugared lips.


Sure, there were other conscientious shoppers in the market places, people better at selecting foods than Tom and I. Those people inspire and encourage.

It dawned on me right about the time I saw the bologna bouncing that treatment of groceries reflects general attitude toward food. This dawning was affirmed at the checkout stand where I appreciatively bagged my groceries in my reusable bags (I actually remembered to carry a few in with me!). I stood across from a woman who seemed a bit furious at her food. She was throwing her items into white, plastic, bags. No exaggeration. Not setting them hard, not dropping them, but throwing them. Processed foods, vegetables, everything. She snatched her bags and walked wearily from the store.

I felt sad for her. Something was not right and I wished I could make her feel better. A kind, understanding smile awaited her if only she'd look up. Life is sometimes really hard. This I know.

Refined, overly-processed foods as the bulk of a diet can cause aggression, this has been proven. Beautiful, natural foods calm, invigorate, encourage robust health. Proven. Naturally I wondered if my fellow-shopper's irritation could have been food-induced.

I used to be a bologna bouncer, I did. I didn't enjoy cooking or food as much as I do now that I treat my food with joyful hands. My perspective is completely different these days. It's reflected in the recipes I prepare, my shopping list, and even where and how I shop.

It sounds snooty, I know, to talk of specialty stores, of reusable bags, and the shock of bouncing lunch meat. But it's not really snobbishness, it's a newfound humility. I have harmed my body, I have mistreated God's creation in my shopping choices, and I've addicted my children to sugar. Thankfully, the kids are wise and keep their addiction in check - most of the time.

Would that all the world could eat well for awhile and come to know the difference. It's not currently possible, this I realize. But is is possible for me and mine. We eat with gratitude. We think of those less fortunate and pray for them. We allow their trials to temper our Western food-misuse and misunderstanding of the purpose of food. We learn from their quiet struggle, from their genuine appreciation for every meal that they are able to put before their loved ones. While they wrestle with too little we wrestle with too much. There must be a balance in effect. Perhaps someday we will all have enough beautiful, real food and we'll look back on these days with thankfulness for lessons learned.

Until then, I will continue my quest to educate through example the joy of eating real food while remembering gratitude for these good years.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Gwyneth and Me

When I find my creative juices drying up I click on over to Goop.com, Gwyneth Paltrow's website. I love her ideas, her freshness, energy, and spunk.

I just finished a seven minute video of Gwyneth preparing a lovely Roasted Chicken and Potatoes dinner for her family.

I particularly love how she describes the relaxation she finds in thinking about food and ingredients. That's me, too. My daughter, Cassie, is the same way. Lying in bed at night dreaming up new dishes with ingredients we've just met or have befriended years ago.

I hope you'll take the time to head over to Gwyneth's sight. It has something for everyone as it's not just about food but about living.

Ciao!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

From the Quieter Place

In cooking sometimes too much technical training can get in the way. Too often we cook with our heads. There's too much noise in our heads. We must learn to cook - and live - from the quieter place, the place deep inside.

Each food prepared is a gift to our guests. The food becomes a part of them. It contains our spirit, in a way, and that's why we must see the meals we make as expressions of pure love. Gifts from the heart.

The Italians say, "You never age at the dinner table. When it comes to food, nothing is rushed."

Tradition in Italy is to stop for the mid-day meal, to light candles, play sweet music, to joyfully prepare, serve, and enjoy good foods and beverages together with loved ones and friends. This stopping of life's busyness for food clearly demonstrates priority of health, joy, relationship.

Imagine if we, in the United States, adopted that perspective? How much more enjoyable would our jobs be whether we work in our homes or are employed elsewhere. To rest, to share, to eat. To then resume work with laughter and beautiful food in our bellies, kindness in our minds, joy on our lips.

To move this way, suddenly life is not lived only on or for the weekends. Every day is full of life! Each day an adventure, a recreation, an opportunity to show our love.

From the quieter place.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Such a Tart

Cassie made a Blackberry Tart using mascarpone which is an Italian cream cheese with very unique flavor, and Vino Santo (holy wine) a style of Italian dessert wine.


Using a brush every berry was drizzled with delicious sauce.


Mint leaves for garnish.


Upon the very first taste...


...my taste buds were born again!