"Great" Italian Food, Does it Exist?

The other day, Lisa and I went out to eat at yet another ‘great’ Italian restaurant.  And yet again, we walked away completely unsatisfied and revolted at what we paid for.  Maybe there are other factors at work, or maybe I’m just insane, but I have yet to have any type of Italian food that even comes close to what I can make out of a can at home.

From previous posts, most know that I am a decent amateur cook, but I don’t claim I’m the best.  I can make some spaghetti that people absolutely love, sure, but I’ve always figured everyone could.  Lisa and I watch Master Chef, and Lisa thinks I could be on that show, but I’m blown away by what those people can cook.  But in the end, there’s the premise.  Have amateur cooks make restaurant quality food.

Spices are the Flavor of Life

I honestly can’t imagine a world with spices.  Known now, in the internet cute cat world, as ‘flavors’ food is pretty crappy without them.  Its amazing how for granted we take spices now, considering entire empires rose and fell because of the spice trade.

Spices go way back in human history, and have become such an integral part of every day life.  They are even mentioned a few times in the Bible, of all books.  Oddly though, I think of all the fantasy stories I’ve read, and they don’t really get too much into spices....  A shame.  Fantasy and Sci/Fi have really drawn a new connotation for the word ‘spice.’  In Star Wars and Dune ‘spice is a form of drug.