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Hello! I'm Michelle. It's taken a lot of thinking to come up with a food I might even attempt to call my favorite; I have a lot of foods I enjoy eating, of course, but "favorite" seems to conjure up some feelings of finality, and I can assure you there isn't a single food that I can claim as my all-time favorite. But if I consider some other feelings -- associations with memories and family -- I'd have to say my favorite is my father's Cavatelli and Broccoli.

The cavatelli pasta is rolled on the edges, not very long but fat around the middle, thick and warm, the texture is almost like gnocchi but not as rich. He steams the broccoli first and then places it in an iron griddle, crisping butter, Parmesan cheese, and garlic to the florets perfectly. He smokes fresh, hot sausage on the grill outside, slicing each link into thick coins and tossing these into a large pot with the pasta and broccoli. Finally, a good helping of fresh basil and garlic is added to the ingredients and left to sit for a short while, letting the flavors mix and grow richer. Served hot with fresh grated parmigiana-reggiano cheese, this dish could make my mouth water any day of the week. There isn't a smell or taste I associate with my father more than his cavatelli and broccoli.