Hi there, I’m Christina
But some people call me Nina! Like many, I grew up in the kitchen. My best memories are there - watching and helping my mother, taking instructions from my grandmother, and presenting creations to my father for the telltale gesture of approval (one index finger twisted in the cheek like a corkscrew).
I cooked and baked for family and friends consistently as I got older, but my interest in fresh pasta didn’t truly begin until I moved to Italy in 2018. I had dabbled in it before, but always stuck to the same few shapes and sauces.
But once I started to read and experiment, fresh pasta quickly became an obsession. It’s such a diverse food. One that is both globally appreciated as symbolic of Italy’s culinary tradition, and incredibly regional, with names, shapes, and techniques varying from town to town.
I never get tired of making it. Pasta can be peasant food or haute cuisine. Delicate or hearty. Quick and simple, or ornate and finicky. Habitual, or an out-of-body experience.
For me, kneading and working with dough is therapeutic and artistic. It’s the perfect activity for winding down after a long day, or sharing with friends before a dinner party. And since I don’t eat meat, I take joy in making both traditionally meatless dishes, and finding new ways to substitute everything from minced beef to guanciale.
I started this blog to share my passion, find community, and document my journey through every cookbook and pasta shape under the sun. I hope you’ll have fun and join in!
