011: On Sharing Reciepies

A creative side project of documenting food stories

Dear Reader,

Hello. Welcome. Nice to see you again¹. Regardless of where we stand. I’m happy that you’re here. Thanks for stopping by.

Skimming back though, I see that I’ve written about my memories, both recent and lost. I’ve glazed over a past life where I was an artist of many mediums. If you have read between the lines you know that I attended grad school at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Piemonte Italy (Italian Food-warts²). I’ve shared with you some of my secrets about creative fatigue and draining motivations.

I would just like to confirm that although absolutely none of these topics are what I planned to write about when I titled my first publication as “Introducing the Snail Back Chronicles” - they have been meaningful (for me at least)… so thanks for tuning in.

Today I want to pull a couple of pieces together because the thought of my interests and experiences and hobbies all flailing around in the wind like an unraveling scarf makes me wildly uncomfortable. I like reason, and order, and systems. At the very least, I want to be able to make the connection.

Strange for a creative mind, but true for mine.

Recipe Cards. I’ve started making graphics to document recipes that I love. Recipes that mean something to my family. Recipes that my family would love, but might never come across on their own.

from my time in Italy, my time in India, and my father’s time in Mexico City

I’ve done a lot of seasonal eating in my day, directly from my field to my table. My father had traveled and grew up around the world, often in kitchens. I am Canadian (with boring ancestry) through and through, but my earliest food memory is of hummus.

from Natoora

My favourite way to spend a Saturday morning is at a farmers’ market. I relish the opportunity to hand over cash for baskets and bags of fresh produce, breads, meats, and cheese. Food is the main reason I live full-time in Italy.
I enjoy seeking the connections between place and plate and once I’ve found them, I want nothing more than to talk your ear off about them. No breaths needed. Proper Rick Mercer Rant style. The only pause is for a mouthful over whatever meal we are having the discussion over.

from Tuscan Summers, on my Father’s fridge, and inside my Mother’s baking cupboard

So, I decided that I would begin creating visual, digital documentations of dishes. It is not a professional project, or even a ‘portfolio builder’ just a humble personal practice as the mood suits. I craft a page in a way that reminds me of the dish, the place I learned it, the people I have enjoyed it with, ecc. There is no need to be consistent or to meet a template. In my eyes, this is not how food works. Certainly not in a cross-cultural context. Some cards are explanatory, others are just measurements scribbled in my mothers hand.

The cards all mingle, without organization of any sort is a Google Drive folder between myself and my family members…
if for no other motive than accountability.

I hope you are well. Talk soon,

xx
E.

1. Please accept the greeting that best suits our relationship.

2. A play on Hogwarts… it infolded better in my head.