My friend Pia is blessed with italian roots and a family that knows how to cook and by extension I get to enjoy ecxellent espresso and home cooked italian food whenever I see her, which is not nearly often enough. Last time we met we cooked toegether for her birthday party and ended up with a culturally confused yet tasty buffet – cheesy chicken nachos and tiramisu, anyone? – but the star of that nights’ show was the minestrone, a big pot full of tomatoey goodness and fresh veggies and a good dose of olive oil.