"When we sit at the table, there is more going on than satisfying hunger. It is sad to think of those who eat simply to satisfy their hunger and who do not permit themselves to linger under the many spells offered by a good meal - the satisfaction of our hearts, our minds and our spirits."
-Leo Buscaglia
Five years ago, my husband and I took a trip to Spain to celebrate our 15th anniversary. There were so many memories made on that trip. So many moments that make my heart full and grateful for the life I have been given. Today I want to quickly focus on a period of time in Spain that was less than an hour in duration. We were visiting the city of Malaga and had just finished a hike up a rather significant hill to see an amazing fort at the top. By the time we returned to the city, we were hungry and exhausted. So much of our energy was expended on our hike that we needed to refuel. As we walked the city streets, we came across a cafe and snagged a table for lunch. My husband and I enjoyed trying to translate the menu. The waiter, seeing us struggle, helped us navigate it. Although I was hungry, I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted. There was a part of me that worried about getting a full meal in fear that I wouldn't like it. So I opted for an appetizer (picture shown on the right). To this day I don't know the name of it. However, I can recreate almost every part of the most amazing thing I ever ate. Looking at the picture it does appear to be a little crisp (i.e. burnt) on the edge. However, it wasn't significant enough to dethrone it as the best thing I have ever eaten. The bread that made up the base of this meal was crisp and a little flakey. The smooth goat cheese was earthy and strong. It was topped with the most amazing sun-dried tomatoes. Their sweetness blended to create a symphony of tastes in my mouth. The textures were palpable. The sounds of the city around our small table were as if we were being embraced and drawn into something simple yet exquisite. The aroma of flowers, plants, and the myriad of orange trees was intoxicating. There was more than food that played into this experience. However, it was the sensory details that allowed us a small culinary escapade on a small side street in Malaga.