Food is Love

Since Valentine's Day is upon us I thought I would take a moment to share an easy way to say I love you. 

Cooking.

I love to cook. It's one of the most basic ways I go about showing my family how much I love them by serving them a delicious meal that is well balanced and cooked with love. And to me, no food says love more than my Grandma Sandro's spaghetti.

It starts with onions and garlic sauteed in olive oil. Then it continues with the browning of meatballs or sausage (or both!). Then comes the tomato paste and water mixed to a thin, soupy consistency. That is followed by a long slow simmer to reduce the watery tomato liquid into thick rich sauce. During the simmer sweet potatoes are added and cooked until they are tender. And the meat is added back in to finish cooking through. (You need quite a large pot) Serve it all over a bed of spaghetti noodles or rigatoni if you're feeling adventurous and you've got a bowl full of love.

This is slow food at its finest and in no way, shape, or form can it be done in 30 minutes or less. Trust me, I've tried...and failed every time. 

Of course, like any good family recipe, there are a few secret ingredients that can't be reveal. But I promise you that if you add sweet potatoes to your sauce, you won't be sorry.

Some of my earliest food memories are of this dish. My Grandma made it every Christmas when we would travel to visit them. I remember coming into their house after a long car ride and smelling the aroma of tomatoes, sausage, meatballs, and sweet potatoes wafting throughout the house. 

After my grandma died, my aunt continued making the same sauce in the same spot in the same pot. My mom makes this dish. My brother makes this dish. I make this dish and someday I'll pass it on to my kids. Because cooking is generational and this dish is wrapped in love.