Every family has its own unique set of traditions. These traditions are the glue that binds one generation to another. Those revolving around food are often the ones that seem to stand out the most. It’s no wonder. Food nourishes not only our bodies but our souls as well. The family table is where relationships are forged, bonds are strengthened and memories are made. One of the goals I had when I started this blog was to celebrate my Italian heritage by featuring the marvelously homey and delicious dishes I grew up eating and the loving hands that prepared them. I wanted to show how the relationship between food and family plays an integral part in shaping who we are by sharing some of my own memories, musings and experiences. As I said then, “I have many interests in my life, but I’ve realized that food is the fabric that holds families together. The memories of preparing a meal together and then sitting down to enjoy it with my own family are my most treasured. Although I am merely a humble home cook, I hope that, through this blog, I can inspire some of you, as I have been inspired, to make some memories of your own.”
I strayed.
The very first of my own recipes that I posted on SGCC was based on my grandmother’s Sunday meat sauce. That was almost three years ago. Back then, I knew nothing about how to write a proper recipe, and even less about how to take a decent photograph. But I did know how to tell a story, and I often peppered my posts with them. As time passed, I was seduced by simplicity and beaten down by time. In my zeal to crank out frequent posts while keeping up with my other writing gigs, the stories and my cherished family recipes became fewer and far between. I’ve also become so inspired by the plethora of excellent food blogs on the web and and the talented and creative bloggers behind them. Every day I find so many new recipes from all different cultures, and I want to try them all! There’s nothing wrong with that. I’ve loved stretching my culinary wings and trying new things. That’s how we grow, enriching ourselves and hopefully, others. It just wasn’t what my original vision for SGCC was.
So, I’ve reached a compromise with myself. While still carrying on with SGCC the way I have been, I am also going to try to set aside one day each week to get back to my culinary roots. Sunday is going to be La Tavola della Famiglia or The Family Table day. Why Sunday? Because in my family, Sunday was always the day when we all gathered together at my grandparents’ house for a long, leisurely food fest – no matter how busy anyone was. And, since no Sunday was ever really Sunday without a huge pot of ragu simmering on my grandmother’s stove, brimming with various kinds of meat, I’ve decided to kick off my La Tavola della Famiglia series with this Fettuccine al Sugo di Pollo e Funghi – Fettuccine with Chicken and Mushroom Sauce. read more >>
