Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Cooking or Baking (01/04/07)
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TITLE: Treason | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donald Ortolano
01/04/07 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Do you know folks who simply get their joy from cooking for others? They rarely partake of their creations, but simply stand off and view the scene of the feast; satisfied in witnessing the joy of others. Oh, that I could be as they, but it is not meant to be, so why fight it? Running, sit-ups and push-ups are my destined torture.
The understanding that I WILL consume what I prepare, coupled with a general “lack of time” that I’m sure most can relate to, requires that I take a shot at accomplishing two things; first, cook something that is at least “reasonably” healthy and, second, prepare dishes that will not take hours to complete.
Now, I love to prepare the “gourmet” dishes that require hours of preparation, countless ingredients and a vast supply of patience, but they are simply not practical for everyday life. With that said, I remain convinced that one can enjoy creative, delicious food without indulging in those more exotic activities.
Pasta. What more needs to be said? I’m Italian; I learned to eat pasta and drink wine before I could walk. Mom’s pasta was very basic; penne or rigatoni with tomato sauce. Some good crusty Italian bread and a salad “rounded-out” the meal. That was it.
Now, while I enjoyed those meals immensely, I have had to make some adjustments as my tastes and needs changed over the years. I can easily eat pasta three or four times per week, but I have grown to understand that, contrary to Mom’s philosophy that it “put meat on your bones”, it also puts sugar in your system. Pasta is pure carbs and we all know too well what they can do, unchecked, to your waistline and overall health. Thus, drastic measures were in order and I have committed what would be called an act of treason if Mom and Dad were still alive; I have chosen wheat pasta! Oh the shame! Oh the horror!!
At first, it simply was not the same. I played with it with my fork, added more sauce than reasonably necessary and seasoned with everything from oregano to crushed red peppers.
I looked longingly at the blue boxes of my traditional pasta, staring back at me, betrayed, in the cupboard.
Then, miraculously, the transformation was completed. I began to actually ENJOY the wheat pasta. It took some time for me to get over the nagging feeling that I was “cheating” on an old love, but I soon became liberated in the rich tastes and texture of my new lover! Wheat Pasta…who would have thought it possible?
Today, I would not think of going back. I can now enjoy the simplicity and ease of a pasta dinner without the guilt associated with my “old” standard of eating! Ricotta & Eggplant sauce is now a bit healthier than it was before! Of course, the ricotta still demands it’s due in the form of running, sit-ups, etc, but I am actually feeling better. And, more treason, you can actually purchase Ricotta LITE!
Shhhhhhhsh… please, not too loud.
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Actually, I enjoyed this very much. It was very entertaining. Well done (if you'll excuse the pun)
Don't tell anyone, but I took pasta out of my diet a year ago. I don't like push-ups.
Keep up the good work.
Great story.
You have perhaps over-used quotation marks--used as they are here, it indicates that you've intentionally chosen a wrong word each time. Most of them can be removed, and it will actually strengthen an already very good entry.
I enjoyed the conversational style of this very much.