Two shows that fascinated me as a child were Greek Islands Cooking with Theonie Mark, and The Romagnoli’s Table with Franco and Margaret Romagnoli. Living in the rural South, I had never seen anything like what they were doing. I liked the Greek and Syrian food that our friends gave us, but these shows went way beyond anything I knew. I remember someone preparing fresh squid, and I was mesmerized by the plastic-looking bone they pulled out of it. And on both shows, I saw people actually making their own pasta! I had no idea what spaghetti was until I saw them making it on TV.
I also remember distinctly that the Romagnoli’s show was the first time I had ever heard of basil or pesto, and I found the whole idea completely fascinating. It would be a number of years before I finally tasted it, but the very first time I saw it on a menu I immediately ordered it.
I really wish these a number of other great PBS shows were available today. It couldn’t possibly be too hard or expensive to put them online.
I also remember distinctly that the Romagnoli’s show was the first time I had ever heard of basil or pesto, and I found the whole idea completely fascinating. It would be a number of years before I finally tasted it, but the very first time I saw it on a menu I immediately ordered it.
I really wish these a number of other great PBS shows were available today. It couldn’t possibly be too hard or expensive to put them online.
