cooking inspired by...

....of all things, a fiction novel.

On Sunday, when I was traveling home from Edmonton, I breezed through John Grisham's latest book, Playing for Pizza.  It's light reading...definitely not legally or politically inspired as are many of his books...and it's about a washed up NFL player who goes to Parma, Italy to play American football with the city's team.

The book's plot is OK but the impact of the writing came in the form of cooking inspiration.  Parma is the home of Parmesan cheese and throughout the book, Grisham describes the foods they are eating in great detail, which, of course got me craving Italian dishes with Parmesan cheese.  On Tuesday, I trucked off to Sam's Club, looking for fresh Parmesan and something to cook with it...veal or chicken.  It ended up being chicken and Parmesan aged for 24 months...yum!  I love homemade chicken parmesan!

So yesterday, Ashley was on for dinner duty...she too, had just read the book and was also inspired to cook Italian.  Her menu included Pork Tenderloin, Parmesan green beans and stewed potatoes with fresh tomato...do you see the Parmesan trend here?

Anyway, her meal was fantastic...and we decided to eat in true Italian style...al fresco on our patio.  The wine was a perfect pairing...Folonari Pinot Noir...from Italy, of course...chosen by our resident sommelier, Vern.  Do you want to venture a guess as to our dessert?  Yep, it was gelato...pistachio and chocolate for me.

I do know that my waistline can't afford for me to be inspired like this too often...but I think I've got the Parmesan thing out of my system for a bit.

Isn't it great how inspirations can come from such unusual sources?

Enjoy your Thursday!

Comments

[Judy in Carefree]

I'm reading the book and it makes me hungry...had to have pizza Tuesday night! Not his best book, but I loved Italy so much that I always read anything about it. Parmesan is a cheese I can eat by the hunk. Isn't it nice to be able to eat outside again?

[Jeanette]

I am now craving Italian with fresh parm. Actually we had chicken parm last night but it was Costco's dish. What can I say. And I love a good red with pasta. I've stashed a bottle in my overnight bag for the cabin trip this weekend! :)

[Grace]

haha that is great! Sounds like you had a wonderful dinner. I am Italian and we always cook with Parm and so my cravings lately are 'gyros' yes Greek the salad the tiziki the feta...wait did I tell you I am on a diet lost 60 pounds since January? LOL! Still losing...but we all need to indulge and be inspired once in a while! Grace

[Sharon]

Okay, okay - now I have to run out and get me some good Italian pasta from Federal Hill!!!

[Dana Florence]

Ok, I'm reading this at 3:15 on friday afternoon and am now in the mood for a glass of red wine, some good Italian food and outside dining Too bad John is playing softball tonight! Guess I may have to go get some take out and bribe the kids to sit outside with me. LOL

[Nicole LeBlanc]

Yummy! I can almost smell the aroma from here :)

Luv Nicole