"Tell Me What You Eat and I Will Tell You Who You Are"

The quote above comes from Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, an 18th century gastronome whose famous work, "The Physiology of Taste" was only published a few months before his death. Savarin, though professionally employed as a lawyer for most of his life, found tremendous facination with food and, more specifically, the study of how food is inextricably entwined in an individual's culture.

I have had fun with the question; "what will you be having for Easter/Passover dinner?" I've asked dozens of people this question and have not gotten the same answer twice. What is facinating is when people begin to relay the stories of the emotional connection the dishes have and why these dishes will be gracing the holiday table.

You can almost see the glow in ones' eyes when they begin to talk about a favorite dish, how a certain family member prepares it with such love, and how, no matter how hard they have tried to prepare the same dish, it never comes out quite the same. You can see the regret some have in not being able to capture a treasured recipe from a loved one who has since passed.

An individual's culture seems to find dominance in the side dishes that will be gracing the tables. This is a special meal, and certain dishes are a must or it will not be a celebration! The tables are set with flowers, the good china, a special table for the children, and the desserts are more than memorable!

There is no discussion about diets this day, this is a day to enjoy ones' traditions and live for the moment! Talk inevitably centers around holidays past, rememberance of culinary triumphs (and disasters!) and loved ones both present and absent and the many blessings that abound even in hard times. It is a time to listen to the elders talk about hard times, and somehow realize we too will get through these difficult days as well.

Regardless of your specific holiday plans, I hope that you will take the time to deeply breathe in the memories that are being created. Maybe ask relatives for those special recipes and create your own family cookbook. What a gift to pass down to future generations!