Introduction

Abstract

Intellectual nourishment is a typical and well-accepted diet for doctoral students. However, the growling of the stomach is often an unambiguous signal that food of a more solid variety is called for. Following this call, you may pass by a supermarket on your way home from the office. Myself, always appreciative of la cucina italiana, I often decide to grab some spaghetti, a string bag of garlic and onions, a cup of cream and some ham. If you have olive oil and basil at home, all ingredients are kept at hand to prepare a simple but nice spaghetti dish with a ham-cream sauce.