FARGO — Eleven years ago, this column was born, and I can hardly believe that I am now into my second decade of this marvelous adventure. I love thinking about how I ended up here, because when I was younger (and dumber), I had zero intention of ever learning how to cook. Ever.
In fact, as a teenager I used to proudly declare that whoever I married would have to know how to cook or be able to keep me in restaurants. Fortunately, my husband, Tony, hit the mark on both fronts. As a son of Sicilians, his passion for food and cooking was so infectious that I happily threw my declaration out the kitchen door, donned an apron and joined in the fun. We celebrate 30 years of marriage later this month and I can’t imagine my life without this joyful hobby (or my husband).
My journey to The Forum was the result of putting something out to the universe just to see what could happen. I was a fan and regular follower of my predecessor, Sue Doeden, and one day, about 12 years ago, she had a column about foraging for mushrooms that was so enjoyable, I thought, I would love to do what she does. At the time, I didn’t even like mushrooms much - that’s how good she was in this role.
I clipped Sue’s article and beautiful photo from the newspaper and placed it on the bulletin board in my office as inspiration. I looked at that clipping every day for the next year, never really expecting anything to come of it. Sue had been with The Forum for at least seven years and through her writing it was evident she enjoyed the gig and could be writing her column for years to come. But who knows? Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?
And then one day Tony returned home from dropping our son Giovanni, then a first grader, off at school. On his way out he was approached by fellow parent and Forum publisher, Bill Marcil Jr., who asked him if he had any interest in taking over the food column, as Sue was leaving to pursue other passions.
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Tony laughed when he shared this with me, and said, “Can you imagine me, writing a newspaper column?” While Tony’s verbal and culinary skills are crème de la crème, he has zero interest in writing. I, on the other hand, have been writing in one form or another since elementary school. Upon hearing this news, I immediately thought about Sue’s column on the board in my office – I couldn’t believe it. I started to laugh with him and replied, “No, I can’t. But I can imagine the two of us doing it – we can plan the recipes together; you can prepare the food for the photos, and I’ll write the column.”
Within days we met with Forum editor Matt Von Pinnon and three weeks later our first feature in Home with the Lost Italian was published on November 14, 2012. I will never forget how excited I was to see our byline next to our photo that day, which was, coincidentally, also my birthday. It was one of the best birthday gifts I have ever received.
Over the years, as our lives have transitioned, so has this column. Tony and I were collaborators for the first five years which were formative to me not just as a writer, but as a cook, food stylist and recipe developer. After we closed our restaurant, Sarello’s, in early 2016, Tony decided to step away from the weekly obligation and I chose to continue on my own.
I had learned enough through our time working together to feel confident in this new endeavor, and once the pandemic began, I took on the role of photographer, too, so that now I produce every aspect of this feature. I laugh when I think of my younger (and dumber) self - she wouldn’t even recognize me today, thank heaven.
568 columns later, here we are. Many thanks to everyone at The Forum who helps me bring "Home with the Lost Italian" into your home each week. And to you, dear readers, I wish to thank you for all the encouragement and feedback you have given me over the years. You have no idea how much I enjoy hearing from you, to ask a question, notify me of a typo or omission (thank you!) and especially when you share that one of my recipes has become a new favorite. Cheers, and happy cooking.
Recipe Time Capsule:
This week in...
- 2022: Celebrating 10 Years with Scandinavian Almond Cake
- 2021: Italian Sausage Stuffing
- 2020: Celebrating Eight Years with The Lost Italian
- 2019: Caprese Stuffed Portabello Mushrooms
- 2018: Sarah's Texas Inspired Chili
- 2017: Easy Holiday Buns: Cinnamon or Plain
- 2016: Marilyn's Best Toffee
- 2015: Belgian Lukken Cookies
- 2014: Cranberry Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
- 2013: Sarello's Whipped Potatoes
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