Everyone has seen the headlines. Airlines are laying off people left and right. A lot of people I know are still afraid to eat outside or go into a restaurant let alone be trapped on a vessel with no room to spare high above the earth. So why would someone possibly want to talk about travel and food in such a tough time? I have asked myself this question many times. My wanderlust is still very much alive and well. Throughout this period, I have taken a few small trips to see what things are like and I can report that the news was very good. The people working on airlines are taking extra special care to keep things safe for us. And when borders open again, I will be one of the first to go if I can. But for everyone else, why talk about travel? Well, it’s what connects us to the outside world. Some of us have deep heritages that we want to understand or learn about other cultures.
I grew up eating around the world every week through my mom’s global cooking and I learned so much about people through their food. I have worked very hard to replicate this experience with my own children and I would like to share it with you as well. My pantry is a collage of spices and condiments that I have used at one time or another and it drives my husband John crazy. I can’t bear to part with any of them because I might use them someday. In fact, it’s pretty reasonable that I will!
But the simpler things are what I truly enjoy.
A Bolognese sauce cooked over the weekend and reheated for a weeknight dinner. A salad with great flavors and textures. Or a chocolate chip cookie warm out of the oven. Right now, simple is good and it is comforting when we are all faced with the daily news. The taste of a childhood memory for all of us can stir up emotions that bring you back to another time and place. I’ve been spending a lot of time during the global pandemic recreating a lot of meals that have given me comfort over the years and a great deal of joy.
Rest assured, even if some of us are pausing on traveling, we will do it again as soon as we can. Of that I have no doubt. I have read the doom and gloom headlines about New York and believe it will be a top destination again. It might even become a city that once again draws creative people who can afford to live there back again. I have faith. These places are too good not to come back. Their heritage is too rich and too important. My grandmother Venturella arrived at Ellis Island right around the time of the 1916 influenza season. She was a young teenager and I’m sure there was hardship. She told us a few stories, but most centered around being in an arranged marriage at 13 years of age. She marveled that I would never have to go through what she did and told me college was where I needed to go.
I fulfilled my grandmother’s wish and went to school, but honestly sometimes I think I would be happier cooking for others. If I couldn’t fulfill my dreams then, perhaps I can share them with you now!
I have been cooking even more than normal during the pandemic. I am healthier than I have been in a long time too since I’m now squeezing in the time to be thoughtful about the food I’m consuming and have started taking long walks early in the morning and after work hours. Lunch for me was always sitting at a desk or even on the move in my car. I certainly wasn’t eating for pleasure and definitely consumed more than my share of frozen meals heated up in a microwave. Not anyone’s idea of healthy or enjoyable!
At some point we will all go back to our respective offices and places where we used to be, but I hope some of the things we have learned will remain.
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