A Word on Measurements - Linda's Disclaimer

Growing up I don’t recall either of my parents measuring or even noting the quantity of ingredients when they cooked.  Cooking in our home was done by feel, taste and instinct.  Measurements, proportions and quantities were a matter of texture, consistency and flavor.  Consequently, I am one of those cooks who rarely measures ingredients.  And anyone who has worked in the kitchen with me knows it is a little pinch of this, a handful of that, a sprig of herb here and there and the dish is off to the table. 

My style of cooking makes sharing recipes a bit of a challenge.  I much prefer to do a cooking demonstration and video than writing it down.  Most of my recipes don’t have measurements, just simply ingredients, just as my mom or dad would give a recipe.  However, for the purposes of this cookbook, we have added measurements that should serve as a useful guide.

Remember to always purchase or if you can grow good quality fresh ingredients.  A recipe may need to be adjusted depending on the number of people you are cooking for and the size of the ingredients you are using, I’ve done my best with measurements and basic guides are provided.  My hope is that you will use this as guide, relax and enjoy the experience and allow your own individuality to come out in the dish. 

My hope is that book inspires you to get together with family and friends to prepare and share a meal.  And perhaps reading through some of our family stories will remind you of special times and people in your life. 

Bon appetite!!

Picture:  The summer of my sophomore year in college I went to Italy for a month with my dad to visit our family.  On this day, daddy brought me on a walking tour of my mom’s village where we spent the day, on the way up the hill we met a woman walking with her donkey and balancing a big basket on her head. Later that night back in the Badia at my Zia Assunta and Zio Vincenzo’s house, Zia Assunta taught me how to do it.