Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop Read Online Free PDF Page A

off both of the miniature cassatas . When she was done, she stared at her empty plate, realizing only then that she’d broken her earlier promise to have just one of the pastries. Sorella Agata was staring at her with a sly smile.
    â€œThey’re very delicious, si? ”
    â€œ Si, sono incredibili! I don’t think I’ve ever tasted pastries quite as delicious as these.”
    Sorella Agata looked pleased with Claudia’s comment. “You will probably say that with many of our sweets here. They are quite unique, especially in comparison to the American desserts.”
    â€œYou know about our desserts?”
    â€œYes, well, not personally. But I like to research and learn as much as possible about all pastries, not just Sicilian or Italian sweets. I make my own versions of apple pie and chocolate cake. But I’m sure they must not be as good as the ones you have in America.”
    â€œYou should make them for me some time, and I can tell you how close yours are to the American versions. Sorella Agata, you are quite a renowned pastry chef from what I’ve heard. There aren’t many pastry shops that have had world-class chefs visit them to sample their desserts, which brings me to the question I cannot wait to ask you, especially after sampling these heavenly pastries. I know we’ve only just met, and I haven’t officially started our interview, but I must ask you about your famous cassata .”
    â€œ Si, si. Everyone wants to know about that cake.” Sorella Agata sighed as she said this. No doubt she was tired of everyone’s asking her what her secret ingredient was, but that didn’t stop Claudia from posing the question.
    â€œSo then I will not be the first person to ask you, Sister, what is your secret ingredient for making the cassata surpass all other recipes that have come before? And I take it you are using the same recipe you use for the standard size of the cassata for these Virgin’s Breasts, which you said are just miniature cassatas .”
    Claudia noticed a few of the other women had stopped their work and were eavesdropping on her conversation with Sorella Agata. Sorella Agata looked in their direction and frowned. With a wave of her hand, she motioned to Claudia to follow her out of the kitchen. Remaining silent, Sorella Agata led Claudia to a hallway filled with bedrooms. Claudia was surprised none of the doors to the rooms were shut. Sorella Agata finally stopped at a room at the end of the hall and gestured for Claudia to enter.
    â€œThis will be your room while you stay with us.”
    Claudia was surprised to see the room was quite spacious, and she could tell from the distance of the next room in comparison to the others that this one was much larger. No doubt Sorella Agata wanted to give her a nicer room. Except for an ivory china vase filled with fresh daisies that sat atop a chest of drawers and sheer lace window panels, the décor was quite sparse. A crocheted white blanket covered the bed. Above the bed’s headboard, a cross made out of wood hung. The stems of two purple silk rosebuds were entwined around the cross’s center and were tied in place with a white ribbon.
    â€œWhat a beautiful cross.” Claudia walked closer to examine it better.
    â€œThat was a gift.” Sorella Agata’s face looked sad as she let her eyes rest for a moment on the cross before saying, “I will let you rest and get settled. I’m sure you must be tired from your long trip. Please do not hesitate to let me or one of the other sisters know if there is anything you need.”
    Claudia realized this was the sister’s way of telling her they would not be discussing right now the subject of the cassata . Usually, Claudia did not back down so easily when she was interviewing, and she had learned in her journalism courses that persistence was key. But this was an entirely different situation. She needed to show respect to