My kitchen is the heart of my home. My friends all like to hang out in there instead of in my more spacious living room.
|
My kitchen is the heart of my home. My friends all like to hang out in there instead of in my more spacious living room.
|
Are You an Apple or a Pear?It always leaves me baffled how a choice of food might define someone's personality, but it seems that asking if you like apples or pears is like asking if you're a dog person or a cat person, or if you prefer a shower to a bath. Mind you, in the world of fashion, they describe the human figure as either apple-shaped or pear-shaped. Furthermore, it appears that apple people enjoy life and are extravagant and impulsive, whereas pear people find it difficult to stick with anything for long and want immediate results. But never mind the parlour psychology. Apples and pears are available at any time of the year, they're cheap, and there are so many varieties it's easy to find one to satisfy your personal taste. I for one prefer apples – and, yes, I happen to be an apple-shaped person! Apples and Pears, Up and Down the StairsWe are told constantly that we need to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. For me, coming from a Mediterranean environment, this goal is not too difficult to achieve. Any Italian meal typically ends with a portion of fruit. Modern health organizations probably wouldn't agree with this, but it was once considered very healthy to nibble some cheese at the conclusion of a rich meal, before finishing with some fruit. The medical thinking behind this advice was that the cheese would promote digestion and the fruit – especially pears – would help in the absorption of the meal. In other words, only the rich could enjoy a healthy diet! "Don't Let the Peasants know How Good Pears and Cheese Taste Eaten Together” (Italian Saying).I can say with confidence that the peasantry has always been aware of how well the freshness and juiciness of a pear harmonises with the nutty, peppery taste of some hard cheese like pecorino or parmigiano. These days it's common to find, at the end of an important meal, pears and cheese being served in a spirit of luxury and joyful gluttony, and never mind the medical advice! Here's my personal tip to enhance the sweetness of the pear and the peppery flavour of the hard cheese. Chop both the pear and cheese into slices and then cube them – they must be eaten together so they must be cut into fairly small bite-sized pieces. Place a cube of pear and a cube of cheese on a cocktail stick, pour a drop of honey over them, and eat. The honey will help to blend the two contrasting flavours together. Shhhh! Don't let the rich know!
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorI love cooking, and when it comes to quality I'm quite fussy. Archives
February 2018
Categories
All
Let's connect!My Links |