Tastes
Taste is defined as the sense by which the flavor or savor of things is perceived when they are brought into contact with the tongue. For me however, taste is that indelible sense that can travel through time, recalling edible memories. That first sweet bite of birthday cake, the fermented bubbles of a celebratory toast with champagne, the ripe juiciness of tropical fruit on an unforgettable beach vacation, the salty bite of a panino filled with prosciutto overlooking an Italian piazza; the list goes on and on. These tastes are the ones that I’ve transcribed and shared as recipes.
Tales
Every taste has a tale, every ingredient a story. Pasta Carbonara’s origins provoke speculation and debate, Tiramisu has a sultry past, and Parmigiano and Prosciutto have been engrossed in fraud and scandal. Nonna’s anecdotes filled with old world wisdom and all the delectable learnings from tradition, accounts from adventures both local and global. These are the tales that I enjoy sharing, the memories I take joy in recreating, the questions I research for answering. These are the fables behind the focaccia, the ones that educate and often resonate.
I'd much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0
Ciao...
Ciao, my name is Jenny Arena; a Nutella loving, song singing, food geek, that not only lives to prepare food but loves to delve into its history and origins. I journal the stories and traditions of treasured recipes while also developing a few of my own.
I was born Canadian but am Italian at heart. I am the daughter of Southern Italian immigrants who instilled in me at a young age, my appreciation of food; particularly that of the humble Calabrian kitchen, the kitchen where friends and family would gather around a table to break bread, sip wine, and enjoy each other’s company.
My love affair with food began as a child and has grown and matured with me into adulthood. My education began by observing my father in the kitchen; continued with watching cooking shows on PBS and later the Food Network, leafing through countless cookbooks and getting hands on through classes and workshops until finally graduating to preparing meals of my own.
As a mother, I now carry on with my children, what began alongside my father. I try to instill in them, the same adoration that I have for not only what is on my plate, but its journey in getting there. It is my hope that I can create for them, edible memories like the ones I hold dear.
While the cuisine of my parents’ homeland is the one that holds the fondest place in my heart, I have developed a passion for food that spans across the continents. Whether homemade or created by a famed chef, this foodie enjoys having her taste buds tickled by worldly delights and my aim is to share my tastes and tales from the soul with all of you.
Buon Appetito!
How It All Began
Food, by definition is any nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, and promote growth. From a matter-of-fact point of view, we physically cannot survive without it, however, its sustenance and growth (for me anyway), go beyond the mere scientific. Yes, food is nourishment for the body, but arguably also for the heart, mind, and soul.
Food truly has the power to stir up strong emotions, whether it is a warm bowl of comfort that takes the chill out of winter or a cooling colada on a hot summer day, a glass full of sparkle in celebration, a spoonful of decadence to spark romance or bread broken among friends who laugh and reminisce.
When I think back on the many wonderful moments that have become my tapestry of treasured memories, they are all woven together by a common thread, food. Behind every fond recollection of a family gathering, friendly chattering, worldly travel, or self-marvel, is food.
Food is as central to my memories as the hearth is to a home. The warmth of a flame kissing a culinary vessel is magical a tradition that goes back to the beginning of time. Cooking over the coals, the focacius as it was referred to by the ancient Romans is what gives way to the “Focaccia” part of my title. Focaccia derives from Roman “panis focacius,” meaning “hearth bread”; bread not only baked at the core of the home, but also a food at the core of many cultures. And while Italian cuisine (particularly Southern Italian), is at the heart of my memories, I have a passion for food that runs broad and deep.
I hope that in reading my food fables you will be informed and educated, but most of all, I hope they will conjure up fond thoughts and recapture places and faces in time for you as well.
