My Life in Argentina and Beyond

Saturday, November 29, 2008: Surprisingly, some people don't know what polenta is. Simply put, polenta is like grits, except that it's Italian. It has long been a staple of Italian and Argentine cooking. You can get instant polenta or the kind that takes 5 minutes to cook. Then you can eat it by itself (not recommended) or add butter, Brie cheese, salt, tomato sauce with or without chicken or meat and enjoy. Polenta is down home food at its best.

Friday, March 14, 2008: At dinner tonight I asked for a second piece of foccaccia. I don’t know, Alex said. I don’t know means no. Why don’t you have a piece of white sandwich bread? I shook my head. Thanks but no thanks. There were 3 pieces of foccaccia on a plate. Their plates are always fuller than mine. May I have a piece of foccaccia? Her daughter Terry asked Alex. Of course, honey, she smiled. I got up from my seat and put my plate in the dishwasher.