Pollo con Salsa de Ajo

It all started when I was about 4 years-old. I was in Spain with my father, mother and older brother. I was in the kitchen, ready for my food to come. My great-aunt, my father’s aunt, was cooking the food. I saw her teaching my mom how to make a delicious dish called ‘’pollo con salsa de ajo,’’ also known as ‘’Chicken with Garlic Sauce.’’ It was the first time I was ever going to try it!  At first, it looked a bit weird. But when I tasted it, it took me to chicken paradise! Ever since that day, my mother always cooks that dish for me and our family, and I always want it. It has become my favorite dish!  I am starting to learn how to prepare it so that I can cook for myself and for my own children one day many years from now.  

Every time I feel the nice aroma of chicken with garlic sauce, I remember my great-aunt in Spain and how she cooked this same dish for my father when he was a child.   I also remember my mother, and all the beautiful times we share together.  She serves the chicken over yellow rice, which I love.  My great aunt serves it over potatoes. I think each of them has its own style!   I love how my mother enjoys cooking this dish.  She says seeing me smile as I eat it, makes it all worth it. I hope you will like this dish as much as I do.

Arianna Cambeiro

written at age 11

April 25, 2014