In part one of Sassafrass, Cypress and Indigo, the story is broken up by recipes to fix various different ailments and afflictions. Immediately, upon reading this I was reminded of a similar form of narration expressed in Laura Esquivel’s book-turned-movie, “Como Agua Para Chocolate” which translates to “Like Water for Chocolate”.
The narrative in “Como Agua Para Chocolate” follows the story of Tita, the youngest daughter of three, who is forbidden to marry until her mother’s death, but has a mutual longing for her childhood love, Pedro. Tita turns to cooking as her primary skill of controlling the emotions within the household that she shares with her mother and two older sisters. I’ve included the movie clip from one of the most famous scenes where Tita makes quail dipped into a rose petal sauce and serves it to everyone in her family, including Pedro. Through her recipe, she seduces everyone and transforms them into incredibly sensual beings. Read More