Pots filled with Memories!

 I love hanging pots in my kitchen  I love looking at them, but mainly I hang them as I don't like trying to fight with them when there stored in cabinets and get stuck in each other....Right!! :)  Problem solved..... I have two pot racks in my Kitchen and love the convenience as well as the style it brings to the room. I still store the larger stock pots in the lower cabinets and make all sorts of sounds when trying to retrieve them and then put the others back where they belong. Actually I think I hear some of you laughing thinking the same thing!  Really this is hilarious as most of the world is in chaos over so many issues and I choose to write about hanging pots. In the above picture, you can see I use my Asparagus pot as a vessel for utensils and the strainer for that pot also for assorted spoons etc. It is amazing how easy it is to reach and not  fumble around in a drawer.  If your about to click off as this post is too corny ....I'm about to share an exciting game I've been asked to participate in!  ;)

My nephew Salvatore who is a chef sent me a letter last week asking me if I would share some ideas and be part of the game "My Last Supper" It's a game chefs have enjoyed for decades and seemed to keep it among themselves in the profession. Then along came author Melanie Dunea in 2007 who asked 50 of the World's famous chefs to participate with a picture of the Chef and create a great book for all to enjoy. The object of the game is to answer 6 simple questions:
         What would be your last meal on Earth
         What would be the setting for the meal
         What would you Drink with your Meal ;) That's easy Martini!
         Would there be Music
         Who would be your Dining Companions!
         Who would prepare the meal
Sal (my nephew) thought it would be fun to ask fifty of his friends and relatives to participate. Recipes are optional....are we surprised Chefs usually keep them to themselves or if your like me never formally measure unless baking and rely on our hands and eyes as our measuring tools. I'm excited and plan to think about it over the weekend, possibly pondering the ideas over a lovely Martini recalling meals shared with special people.

​         For me it's all about the experience and in the picture above you see a rolling pin.... not just a kitchen tool but a rolling pin that holds a very special memory. I purchased that in Montisi Italy at a little shop not far from the bed and breakfast where we were staying.  This was a small village and the shops were mostly for the locals or the few tourists (very few) that were there. I still remember walking in and being greeted by the lovely Italian woman and the sincerity in her eyes.  With her limited English we shared a memorable exchange as I looked at all her cooking and handmade items she displayed so nicely. There were kitchen tools, aprons, towels and china one nicer than the next. This particular rolling pin has ridges so when you roll it across the dough the Pasta strands are evenly cut..... Perfect for Tagliatelle! She  took the pin in her hands to demonstrate and I was immediately taken by her genuine love for cooking and sharing of ideas.
          Truly a heartfelt moment for me and one that I recall each time I roll this pin across fresh pasta dough.