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!