Connection Through Food
Connecting with others is important to me. It’s important for all of us– and I always cook and write with that in mind. The recipes you’ll find at the Proustian Table are inspired by my own memories that are often evoked through food. I believe food is a powerful way to gather and strengthen community. I like to gather people around a table whenever possible, and I want to encourage others to do the same. This is my small contribution to what I believe is a desperate need in our society right now.
I’ve also always been fascinated with sensory perception and how that influences emotion and locks in memories. Whenever I indulge in thinking back through the memories in my life, they are always made more vivid by what I smelled, tasted, felt, or heard. What better way to ignite our senses than with the aromas, textures, and flavors of food? This is why food evokes such strong emotions and memories in many of us.
Growing up, I was influenced by both the Italian and Argentine cultures and their passion for food. My Italian parents immigrated to and lived in Buenos Aires before moving to the United States. Thanks to my family, my appreciation for the power and pleasure of food and how it connects us began early. Even before my nose reached above the kitchen countertop, I recall eagerly watching my mother and aunt as they stuffed and fried empanadas. To this day, the flavor and aroma of peppery steak grilled over charcoal puts me once again standing by the side of my beloved father, who would feed me little nibbles of the hot, crispy edges right off the grill as he cooked. The scent of basil and tomato sauce simmering on the stove brings to mind any Sunday afternoon at home–the table requiring more and more settings as our family grew.
These recipes are also influenced by my favorite places. Of course, like many of you, most of my best memories have been created while traveling. It’s true that everything tastes better when you’re out of your comfort zone and another “sense” is awakened–your sense of adventure.
One thing I’ve always known for sure is that a little spark of joy ignites within me whenever I’m talking with someone about food. It could be anything from how I identified that porcini I foraged out of the forest, to where to find the best Pho restaurant in town. I’ve used cooking as a way to express my own creativity, but also to create and maintain connections with family and friends–those here, and those who have departed. I write this blog to help you and I both to create those wonderful memories that someday, someone in our lives will be transported back to.
Happy Cooking!
