Memories of Flavour

Flavourful Memories

Small twirls of dough are piled in a traditional ceramic bowl, creating a unique aroma similar to a fresh baguette. Generously portioned on top is a combination of ingredients that form a potent, meaty ragu. They are the strangest selection of ingredients anyone would least expect to put into this type of sauce, however they complement each other strongly. Some of these odd elements would be soya sauce, Worcestershire sauce, hoisin sauce and herbs, adding to the essential elements such as blended tomatoes, onions and garlic. This flavourful ragu would be mixed with the finest of minced beef, giving the pungent kick of meat and texture the dish vitally requires.

After years of practising the art of cooking this meal, this is my reliable yet impressive recipe for my favourite meal, pasta bolognaise. I took inspiration from my grandmother, who cooked this traditional meal every time I visited her since the age of five. Admiring the powerful kick that used to overwhelm my taste buds, it made me want to learn how to cook the meal as well as her.

It took me time to learn, remembering being the age of seven, standing on a footstool next to the oven with my dad practising how to cook the ragu. Of course, it was frustrating when some elements were occasionally too strong like the onion, however I was not giving up. Years later of still learning, I wanted to perfect how to prepare and cook the pasta up to a high standard. Whilst cooking the pasta, I occasionally ran to my mother who would be in another room in the house occupied, pushing a spoon in her face with the ragu to taste, and the pasta to know if it was cooked well. My ambition was to perfect every element of this dish, so I could finally give my grandmother the meal to eat herself.

Time passed, my grandmother fell sick with cancer, losing the strength of her taste buds and sense of smell. Time still passing, she progressively got weaker and lost her appetite. What happened to her saddened yet motivated me, this gave me the final push to cook the meal of highest quality I have ever served.

It was only a month ago, which I felt confident enough to cook the meal she used to cook for me. Eagerly waiting for a response of criticism, she told me it was one of the only meals she has been able to taste for the past two years.