I'M AT PEACE WITH MY PASTA

I spent the whole day yesterday cleaning out my pantry. All I can say is thank god the garbage man has one of those automatic lifts on the side of the truck. I dumped jars of crap from 2003 that were probably left over from gourmet gift baskets. I don't know why people think that a gourmet gift basket is a wonderful idea for a chef, or for anyone that likes to cook. Don't get me wrong, some are ok if they are filled with the right ingredients like homemade jams, smoked mussels, dried fruits and nuts. Pre fab mixes for dips and cheese in jars along with those cutesy cruets makes me want to crawl out of my skin. I couldn't even re gift! Why did I save these items? Perhaps I was thinking if I had these people over I would serve it to them? NOT! I couldn't even in my right mind donate it to a shelter. First of all, they have expired and second of all this crap is filled with so much crap that it would take me a year of novenas to forgive myself of this wrongful doing.

Now, not all was at the fault of a bad basket. I had so much s*** in there I couldn't see what I had. Pandora's Pantry! What I did discover is that I am a "Pasta Whore!" I guess "horde" would be more appropriate but it's not funny.Perhaps "Pasta de la Puttana," (Which is a title of another book that I've had in the works.) "Puttana" meaning harlot, prostitute, whore, strumpet. In turn, one that gives pleasure. Now, what's more pleasurable than eating a wonderful dish of pasta? Nothing I might add... and since I counted thirty six pounds of pasta in my pantry!!!!!...All I can say is, come on over, I'll put up the pot. Just let me know what kind you like, cause I'm sure I have it... and if I don't it would be my pleasure to go out and get it.

May your new year be filled with peace and pasta. I know mine will.

BTW...this is a picture of my Pasta con le Sarde that I brought over to cousin Vinny's on Christmas eve.I changed my mother's recipe, so when the spirits subside... I'll write it up and share.