My favorite episode of Chef’s Table is the one featuring Massimo Bottura.

First of all, could he be more of a mensch?

Second of all, can we all just appreciate the fact that his secret to success is the woman by his side? And that he actually KNOWS it?

Even if you were to ignore the power couple at the center of the episode (and I’m not sure who I’m more smitten by, Massimo or Lara), it says so much about old school Italian cooking culture. I love how scandalized the town of Modena was by the way Massimo reinterpreted the region’s traditional dish: tortellini in broth.

Italian cooking is straight forward and simple. It involves very few ingredients, prepared in a style that has been passed down from nonna to nonna for generations. It’s fresh, not fancy. And above all, it’s not up for reinterpretation. … Continue Reading about Charred Leek Pesto Pasta Salad with Almonds