I Smell Parsley and I Think of My Dad

Today, in preparation for a barbecue with our neighbors, I was chopping fresh Italian parsley for a French potato salad with Dijon mustard and fines herbes. Do you know how certain smells immediately remind you about something or someone? Well, the fragrance of the parsley instantly made me think of my dad. I grew up always finding dad in the kitchen or in the garden tending to the produce that would eventually make its way to the kitchen. Dad was frequently dashing out to the garden for asparagus, tomatoes, string beans and a wide array of herbs: dill, basil, mint, parsley and more.

I know my interest in and penchant for gourmet cooking and my maybe-its-green thumb comes directly from the Mastroberti DNA and was fostered by my parents. I am certain that there is an herb garden if not a more comprehensive vegetable garden in my future. I'm really lucky that I have a dad and mom who value fresh, homegrown and homemade foods and have instilled that appreciation in me.