Mamma Licia
13 Nov 09
Being a married man has made me a better person in many ways; my wife has taught me much – much more than she realizes. One of the things she taught me is to pay more attention to and have greater appreciation for the food I eat. In my young and single days, the staples of my diet were sugary cereals, pizza, burgers or chili from Wendy’s and grilled chicken breast. Today, that has all changed.
My wife, Licia, grew up in Italy, spending a lot of time in the kitchen with her Nonna while she cooked incredible and delicious meals for her family, friends and neighbors. The kitchen was Nonna’s, but her table was open to all. She loved cooking for people and that love came through in the food she prepared. To finish the food she gave you was the best compliment you could give her. The few times I had the pleasure of eating at her table, the food was so good that you’d be crazy not to finish it.
One of the reasons the food was that good is because Nonna didn’t believe in using a refrigerator. She preferred to go to the mercatino every day to buy what was fresh and in season directly from the producers. (Imagine a farmer’s market open daily which had not only fruit and vegetables, but also freshly caught fish and seafood as well as things like live chickens which would be slaughtered and feathered for you on the spot when you bought them.) She would bring Licia along to get their ingredients and they would cook them together that evening.
Over time, Licia inherited both Nonna’s passion for cooking as well as her insistence on using only the freshest seasonal ingredients. Today, Licia is a tremendous cook. In true Italian style, her dishes are simple and fresh, highlighting the best qualities that each ingredient has to offer. She cooks meals daily that are better than what you’d find in many restaurants, and I am extrodinarily lucky to eat at her table every day.
Now, Licia wants to share her passion and knowledge of cooking simply with fresh seasonal ingredients. She has decided to start a series of cooking classes – Mamma Licia Cooking Lessons – for anybody who wants to learn how to make delicious and healthy Italian meals, and I support her 1,000%.
If you’re local to the Boston North Shore area and are interested in expanding your skills in the kitchen as well gaining a greater appreciation for the food you eat, we’d be happy to see you at a lesson.
Comments
Your Turn