Desayuno

If you were to stop your car in the far end of my neighbourhood and ask for the toubab* girl with the scooter, I’m sure someone would be able to take you to my house. Living in Yoff, a sandy fishing neighbourhood north of Dakar, certainly has its perks: food is cheap, there are ladies selling peanuts everywhere, and even the woman who sells cookies by the school gets worried if she hasn’t seen me in a few days. Some days ago I was wandering around the market at dusk when I ran into my six-year old neighbour. She sighed, took my hand, and walked me home with a big smile.

On the downside, though, my feet haven’t been clean since 2006, and our only kitchen appliance is a camping gas. I’ve been eating like I live in a dorm: take out almost every night, pasta if I’m feeling crafty. This is a quick and tasty recipe I learned from the Italian exchange students at my residence hall, for those of us with little time or unreliable electricity.

Penne alla Sorrentina

• 500 g penne rigate
• 2 ripe tomatoes or a handful of cherry tomatoes
• about 10 basil leaves
• 300 g fresh mozzarella (the fancy one that comes in water, not the one squeezed in the package. You know the one.)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper
• origan

Dice the tomatoes and the mozzarella, chop the basil leaves, and put in a big bowl with the oil, salt and pepper. Cover and let sit for about an hour (the longer the better).

Boil the pasta al dente, drain well, and pour over the sauce. Mix thoroughly. Sprinkle with origan, and you’re good to go!
*toubab is Wolof for white person

Posted by Teresa