WAHOOWA

One of the most welcome, but entirely unexpected, developments in my relationship with Mom has been the emergence over the past few years of her fanatacism for UVA basketball. For the first 30 years or so of our relationship, Mom tolerated my love for sports, but would never voluntarily watch a game with me, unless a back rub was involved. And if AS Roma or the Italian national team were playing, forget it: Mom would hide until the yelling, pacing, hand wringing, and/or teeth gnashing were over.

But in the last few years Mom has become a die-hard UVA basketball fan, never missing a single minute of a single game. And she frets over the games just as much as I do, cheering with every made basket and offering her opinions as to who should be playing and how much. It doesn't mean Mom will watch a soccer or, heaven forbid, a baseball game with me, but watching UVA basketball is now something else we can do together 35 to 40 times a year. In the process, Mom has finally discovered, better late than never, the bonding experience that I've enjoyed, first with my Dad and Uncle Bob and then with Dylan and Brad, for most of my life. (Now if we can just get Cassie on board.)

And last night we got to enjoy together the ultimate experience every fan dreams of, but gets to celebrate so infrequently (unless you're a Patriots fan): winning a championship. After last year's lowest of the low, the UVA basketball team ended this year with the highest of the high, bringing home to C'ville our first National Championship. They nearly gave us a heart attack in doing it, needing a clutch shot in the last 14 seconds or less of regulation time in each of the last three games, but it will make for that much sweeter memories now that we've survived all the drama. And that's part of the beauty of sports—reliving the memorable moments, good and bad, with your fellow fanatics. Welcome to the party, Mom!

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Years from now, I doubt we'll be talking about what we ate for our "pre-game" meal the night Virginia won it all, but for the record it was Garlicky Cannellini with Artichokes. This dish has a flavor profile very similar to the White Bean Stew with Garlic and Parsley, but I like the addition of some artichokes and it's even more of a snap to throw together. It makes for a quick and easy light supper combined with a side salad.

Cannellini with Artichokes

Adapted from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen

Time: 22 minutes

3 tablespoons (40 grams) extra-virgin olive oil
4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and sliced thin
a pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes
4 slices of hearty bread, optional
1 (15-ounce) can of Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
kosher salt
half of 1 (14-ounce) can of artichoke hearts in water (4 or 5 hearts; ~120 grams drained), drained and chopped (substitute jarred artichoke hearts in marinade if that’s all you can find)
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons or more minced Italian flat-leaf parsley
Grated Parmesan or pecorino Romano cheese

    1. Place the oil, garlic, and red pepper in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant and just taking on a little bit of color. This can take up to 7 minutes or so if you start with a cold pan over a cold electric burner, but watch carefully so as not to brown or burn the garlic. Toast the bread, if using, while you’re cooking the garlic.
    2. Stir in the beans. Season with a pinch of salt, and cook for 4 minutes, stirring once or twice. Stir in the artichoke hearts and cook for another minute. Taste for salt; season with a twist or two of black pepper. Stir in the parsley.
    3. Place a piece of toast, if using, in a bowl or on a plate. Spoon the bean-artichoke mixture over the toast. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Serves 4 with a salad.