THE SICILIAN KITCHEN. Michele Di’BartoloLantern… rrp $49.95
Everything is good. The sun is out, the lemon in my palm is intoxicating, my stomach is full of spaghetti and eggplant and everyone I love is living happily within calling distance of each other. If only it would just stay this way…
Born and raised in Brisbane, Michele Di'Bartolo longs for the Sicily she has come to know through her grandmother's evocative stories and the enduring rituals of her kitchen. When Michele first visits Sicily, she finds herself immersed in the chaotic brilliance of life on the island of her forebears.Michele discovers Sicily's stark beauty, unfathomable bureaucracies, mad drivers and an intricate maze of family relationships. She revels in the company of her cousin Gracie, from whom she learns the courting rituals of the Sicilian male, and wonders at the ability of the island's citizens to enjoy life so fully, despite their material privations and the frustrations of trying to make a living in a place that closes down, every day, for three hours after lunch.
Beautifully told, The Sicilian Kitchen is a heartfelt memoir that explores the eternal theme of belonging. The story is interwoven with traditional Sicilian recipes passed from mother to daughter and stunning photographs, as Michele shows how to make the perfect margarita pizza, traditional Sicilian pasta al forno and shares Nonna’s secret recipe for Sicilian vanilla custard.
The Sicilian Kitchen is a special celebration of culture, family values, romantic love and the role of food in shaping our days and strengthening the ties that bind.Michele Di’Bartolo was born and raised in Brisbane. After spending time in both Sicily and London, she has returned to Brisbane where she works as a lawyer. The Sicilian Kitchen is her first book and has been shortlisted for the Manuscript Award in the 2006 Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards.
Born and raised in Brisbane, Michele Di'Bartolo longs for the Sicily she has come to know through her grandmother's evocative stories and the enduring rituals of her kitchen. When Michele first visits Sicily, she finds herself immersed in the chaotic brilliance of life on the island of her forebears.Michele discovers Sicily's stark beauty, unfathomable bureaucracies, mad drivers and an intricate maze of family relationships. She revels in the company of her cousin Gracie, from whom she learns the courting rituals of the Sicilian male, and wonders at the ability of the island's citizens to enjoy life so fully, despite their material privations and the frustrations of trying to make a living in a place that closes down, every day, for three hours after lunch.
Beautifully told, The Sicilian Kitchen is a heartfelt memoir that explores the eternal theme of belonging. The story is interwoven with traditional Sicilian recipes passed from mother to daughter and stunning photographs, as Michele shows how to make the perfect margarita pizza, traditional Sicilian pasta al forno and shares Nonna’s secret recipe for Sicilian vanilla custard.
The Sicilian Kitchen is a special celebration of culture, family values, romantic love and the role of food in shaping our days and strengthening the ties that bind.Michele Di’Bartolo was born and raised in Brisbane. After spending time in both Sicily and London, she has returned to Brisbane where she works as a lawyer. The Sicilian Kitchen is her first book and has been shortlisted for the Manuscript Award in the 2006 Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards.
