Cooking with Grandma

[Joey Delgado]

I shape a pile of Semolina Flour into a mountain on the kitchen island, my hands made soft by the fine powder, the earthy smell igniting an almost magical, primal olfactory response that transports me to a candlelit kitchen in Italy surrounded by sturdy village women who--

(What the hell are you just standing there for, crack an egg in that, crack the egg then knead it in with your hands, don't look at me, crack that egg in the flour or I crack it over your head.)

I have the roller in my hand, flattening dough, back and forth, back and forth, gentle waves lapping at the terra firma, smoothing the cracks, the lumps, making imperfections perfect, seamless--

(Sweet Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you limp-wristed, mincing fairy, really grab that roller, firm grip, hold it like it's your cazzone, there, bellissimo.)

The food is served, steam rising from the bowl of pasta, the al dente pasta, a phrase I never understood, but I totally understand it now, the aroma of garlic and basil, perhaps the best smell in the world, is everywhere, seeping into my pores, running through my veins--

 

(Mangia, idiota, you cook it, now eat it....it's really not that bad...really not that great, either...)

 

 

 

[Darin Walker]

Nothing conjures memories like smells. I love this.

[Joey Delgado]

Thank you for all the great comments, everyone!

Gita, I would be honored to cook for you all at HoW.

Teresa, you are welcome to hang out in my mind, but I fear all you will find are television them songs playing non-stop and Diet Pepsi rainstorms.

[Wendy]

This is bellissimo, and it made me hungry!

[Brittany]

:-) I've heard words like stronzo in my kitchen when a dish went wrong. His grandmother taught him to cook too… not sure about the vocabulary. Have to fave this! It's such a great piece.

[Jadie Jones]

deliciously articulated :)

[Robert Crisman]

Top-flight stuff. Made me hungry.

[Mike Handley]

Didn't have time to comment when I faved this. But let me now add that the storytelling and writing are superb, and I love the title.

[Bill Floyd]

Mama mia.

[Stephen Torelli]

Yes, take ownership and hold that rolling pin the right way, the only way! Garlic, basil and  a nice sauce or olive oil. Excellent tale, Joey... Jesus, Mary, Joseph... excellent tale. Buon appetito!

[Jeanette Cheezum]

My God, you are related to my husband.