Monday, April 6, 2009

Pasta Day


It's been a pasta day. Going to the supermarket to buy all the ingredients for my world famous Alfredo sauce. OK it's really Ragu. But an enhanced Ragu at that. I added mushrooms, parsley and my favorite spice ever tarragon. I wish I had a big kitchen and a budget to prepare my favorite recipes. These "between jobs" days call for ready-made inexpensive food. But my heart is in an open market where I can buy fresh produce and breathe in the colors and scents of the fruits of the earth. How poetic! but true. I love those almost stereotypical scenes in movies filmed in Italy. Long old wooden tables with an array of Mediterranean delicacies. Friends and families eating and laughing and choking. OK, leave the choking part out. Do you guys feel the same way about cooking pasta? Now If I have a glass of Chianti in my hands while cooking, then the meal acquires a sublime quality.

I just found out about the earthquake in L'Aquila in central Italy. Those beautiful Italian Renaissance buildings reduced to ruins. It seems that hundred of people have perished. The first thing I thought was that earthquakes do not discriminate. We are so used to hearing about natural disasters in poor and developing countries. But it can happen anywhere, of course. So my heart and my prayers go to those unfortunate people that are left homeless and have lost family members. I'll have my pasta in silence, I do not care to celebrate that much after these terrible news.

8 comments:

Cynthia Pittmann said...

HI Pink C, what a shock about Italy. It happened in one of my favorite parts. I wonder where Carolyn Mayes (Under the Tuscan Sun) house is? I had pasta today as well with alfredo sauce...and I share the dream of long wooden tables and company laughing over dinner...hummm...we had an afternoon like that, I believe! Come over to Oasis and look at some of my babies. xx to Pretzel
xx <3

Cheryl Cato said...

Cowboy, it's been a while since I visited with you & have missed it. I love those movies with the long tables outdoors piled high with breads, cheeses, fruits, & oh yes, pasta! I'd love to be able to do that & have outdoor parties! Missed you...
Lizzy :-)

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

Ummmmmmm pasta!!! The descriptive ingredient list made me hungry and I think I now know what Prince and I are having for dinner :)
What a great snap and a lovely post. I loved the bit of history and your concern about the earthquake victims. Tragedy isn't it?? I can't imagine......
Take good care and........

Steady On
Reggie Girl

Tess Kincaid said...

I wish I could pick up my produce at one of those glorious outside markets. Oh well, Kroger will make do. Yes, a glass of Chianti is so essential while the pasta is cooking!

I was so sad to hear about the earthquake. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost loved ones.

Clare said...

Hey Pink C. Long time no speak. My hubby;s family are from Tuscany. Really hits home. The news has been full of sadness and despair lately. A little 8 year old girl was murdered in our neck of the woods last week and I can;t stop thinking about it. I have a 3 yr old and I panic. Life is tough

Cynthia, I loved the house in the movie. I hope it is still ik

Unknown said...

We ate out- no kids this week. But your saucey additives sound particularly enticing!

You are right about the earthquake. It made me think about the terrible tsunami in Indonesia a few years ago. Indiscriminate and destructive. We are very lucky and send prayers.

marain said...

I love the colors of markets. Vienna has its famous Naschmarkt where one can find wonderful delicacies, including things from the Middle East and Asia.

My favorite pasta is the black one that gets its color from squid ink - so beautiful with an Alfredo sauce!

Yes, when a tragedy happens in a place like Italy, it really makes you think. This world is so random, and nowhere is safe, really. Such things should hopefully deepen our collective compassion and increase the love in the world.

JUANAN URKIJO said...

No sé si te lo dije, pero en la escuela estudié francés (estoy muy cerca de la frontera con F., ya sabes), de modo que mi inglés es bastante mediocre, tramado a base de traducir canciones y de horas de hacer dedo por Europa... cuando era universitario. De modo que me cuesta leer y comprender tus escritos. Pero no por eso dejaré de pasar a saludarte y ya, de la misma, y como sé que te gusta el cine, a recomendarte, por ejemplo... "This is England". No sé si te descargarás cosas, pero merece.

Un abrazo, Cowboy.