Call it a mid-life crisis, call it a revelation, call it down right stupidity, but I’ve decided that 2016 will be the year I finally move to Italy. It’s been a dream of mine for a couple of years now, ever since I got sent there on a random job to work for 2 weeks back in 2014. But it’s stuck with me. Italy has lingered in my veins and like a junkie, I need more frequent and harder fixes.
So where better a place to start 2016 than in Milan? Even better, I read that Caparezza will be performing a free concert in Piazza del Duomo. So I pack up my afro and fly to Milan.
In starting the new year and the new Italian chapter of my life, I of course had to prepare and eat lentils. Looking at those little golden lentils I used to cook my lenticchie, I saw not only the analogy of lots of little coins in terms of monetary wealth, but of all the exciting new experiences I hope to have. Increased wealth of cultural benefit, adventure, and probably a subconscious nod towards a more nutritionally wealthy year that I should also probably create. It can’t all be about pizza, pasta and gelato!
Starting the year in Milan means I have to end the year here, now it’s written (and shared on the world wide web), it has to become a reality.
Lenticchie
- Cook 1/2 cup of lentils in salted water until almost done, drain and reserve the liquid;
- chop up a carrot, stick of celery and half and onion, finely (add a clove of garlic and a sprig of rosemary too if you like) and saute in olive oil until translucent;
- stir in a tablespoon of tomato puree and add the lentils;
- add some of the reserved boiling water to just cover the lentils and a bay leaf;
- simmer until the lentils are nice and soft, but not mushy;
- add salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil to taste.
The lentils are traditionally served with sausage.
Buon appetito and auguri!
Thank you for the follow! Looking forward to your adventures this year!
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