Three Layer Cake

From my suitcases...

A friend had the misfortune of going with me to see the Police in Turin in their only Italian concert date.  Misfortune because little did she know that going to see the Police was just an excuse to get to see Eataly, Slow Food's answer to Whole Foods.  I would have been ok missing the concert.  I would have had an absolute fit had I missed Eataly.  And so we took a 2 hour trek on public transportation to cross the city to reach Eataly.

I won't go into all of the wonders there, because really, it evoked the same feelings I had when I went into the new Whole Foods in London just two weeks ago.  The difference was that while Whole Foods may bring many foods to your finger tips that you could indeed find in other places, Eataly brings many foods to your finger tips that you likely will never find in other places.  To the left you'll see what I picked up:  Castelmagno, Piemonte's premier cheese, Bra Stravecchio (from the town of Slow Food, an aged cheese), and a nice Piemontese salame.  The bread is from the Lazio region, but made a pretty picture, and the 2003 Barolo is out of sight.

This is normal for me.  No trip is complete without a completely zany trip to a food place to pick up something that I just can't live without.  In Paris, it was to the spice counter at the Bon Marche for assorted peppers, spice blends, seeds, and a tikka masala, and to Palais du Thes for 1.5 kilos of my usual teas-- The du Hammam Rouge, Chai, and The des Lords (a very nice Earl Grey with Safflower.  If you haven't tried it, you must!).  In London it was to Whole Foods for organic Dragonfly brand Cape Malay Rooibos Chai Spice and Mountain Honeybush Tea.  On to the Spice Shop in Notting Hill for my Garam Masala, Madras Curry (Medium), Jamaican Curry Blend, Thai Massaman Curry, Korma Curry, and Penang Coconut Curry.  When I showed my friend a book I was given  (the writings of Florence Scovel Shin), she asked, "Why does this book smell like Turmeric???"  I just laughed...  In East London I picked up a pound of assorted dark chocolate bars from Montezuma in Spitalfields Market, and a last stop at Waitrose for a Gu Puds Cosy Pud (chocolate pudding for two)... In the mail from the U.S. came my childhood in a box--  Hostess Cupcakes, Twinkies (original and new Banana flavor) and some Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies...  And earlier this year from Cologne, a 5-litre 'keg' of Koelsch, the local 'beer', and about five different kinds of mustard...and a loaf of bread...  I wasn't at all ashamed to announce my cargo at the counter, and they acted as though it were an everyday occurrence.  They handed me a large trash bag to wrap the keg in to put in my checked luggage, and I was off.  Don't get me (or my father or Budget car rental) started on my mustard obsession, but please remind me to tell you the story about the mustard in the trunk of the rental car another time...  the GOURMET mustard, that is... There is a mustard moratorium in our house now as we have reached twelve different kinds from four different countries.  We'd have more, but those travel restrictions on liquids are a buzz kill when you want to travel light... 

Basically, I've started to realize that for me travel means the chance to bring back a souvenir, an edible souvenir, to share with others.  If you're ever in town, please stop by!  I'm sure I can fix something using ingredients from my latest trip....  (Castelmagno cheese-- broken up in my suitcase, but will make a sublime risotto!)