Meeting Marcella

I don’t remember the first time I picked up a wooden spoon in my grandmother’s kitchen and I certainly cannot remember the first cookbook I ever read cover to cover. But I grew up cooking by Nana’s side; eventually preparing almost all of my family’s dinner time meals and voraciously reading and collecting cookbooks. I also read Julie & Julia so I guess you can say this is a bit like that. My goal is to cook all 500-ish recipes in Marcella Hazan’s “Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking” compilation. For every recipe I make, I’ll throw $5.00 in a jar as a way to save for my next trip to Italy. I started a few nights ago with a soup that has always been one of my favorites. The perfect comfort food: Pasta e fagioli (Pasta and beans). It was everything I hoped it would be: vegetal, creamy, and stick to your ribs delicious! 

True to Margot form, I didn't exactly follow the directions. I cooked dry great northern beans in my instant pot and then cooked the soup on the stove top. I also added some crushed red pepper and dried rosemary from my pantry for extra flavor. It was hearty and delicious and I am so glad I began this journey with a dish that brought me just as much joy to eat it as it did to prepare it. 

So, please join me as I attempt to cook, bake, roast, and braise my way to Italy. Ciao!