Not Enough Salt!!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Yesterdays hike to Piazzale Michaelangelo was breath taking!  It was a short hike to the best view of Florence!  The site at the top was so breath taking, unlike anything I had ever seen. 

After a week of eating out, we were finally able to make a home cooked meal, last night.  I took the responsibility of making a meal in our kitchen.  With electricity that didn’t work too well, this made it difficult to try and make everything at the same time.  If I had 3 burners on, a fuse would blow.  We found that the best way to cook without blowing a fuse was cooking in the dark with 2 burners on!! After what seemed like forever, my meal for my roommates was finally finished!

Today was the second day of class. We discussed fast food and street food in Italy.  Street food in Italy came after the Arab invasion.  The concept of fast food during the renaissance is still the same today in that fast food is cheap, tasty, and you are able to hold it in your hand. 

Today we made Cecina, which I would describe as an Italian falafel.  It is made with chickpeas flour, rosemary, olive oil, and water.  On the street it is eaten as a with crackers.  Second we made Caccoli which is a fried bread.  Those are served with salty cheese and prosciutto- very salty.  The third item we fried 2 fresh sage leaves and placed a sardine in the center.  This was my least favorite.  Way too salty!!

Erica, Liz, and I were told that we need to use more salt.  Chef Tammasso thinks that Americans don’t know how to use salt and never put enough salt in their recipes!! So, after are cecina was cooked he sprinkled more salt on top and asked us why we didn’t put enough salt on.  We all responded with we are nutrition majors and made a point to say a comment about hypertension.  Chef Tammasso did not care!!

Cecina

 

Sage&Sardine and Caccoli with salty cheese and proscuitto 

Becca and I went on a run after my class.  We found a running trail away from all the crowds.  It felt great to run and get away from the crowded touristy streets of Florence.  The rest of the day is free!! I am going to check out the Leather Market and then a group of us are going back to Piazzale Michaelangelo to watch the sun set!

Ciao!

Molly Jean

First Day of Class!

Monday, May 16, 2011

This morning was the first day of class!!  I am taking a class called Food, Culture, and Society and it is located in the Apicius building of FUA.  There are a few other ISA students in the class, including 4 of my other roommates.  Chef Tommasso is the name of my professor.  His native language is Italian, second comes French, and third is English.  He has never taken an English language class.  He learned English through other chefs in America!  Very impressive!!  BUT- he is very difficult to understand at times.  I have to get used to his accent so that I am able to understand everything he is saying, especially when it comes to exam days!

The next few weeks will be very exciting.  We have two major assignments.  One is a paper on food during the Renaissance and Caterina De Medici and the other is a food diary explaining our best food experiences here in Florence, whether that be at a restaurant or cooking in our apartment!

Today’s class flew by!! I was a little frustrated in the beginning because I wasn’t able to understand all that he was saying.  Chef Tommasso discussed the Renaissance style of eating, styles of cooking, and food presentations.  The rich had many buffets at their lavish parties.  The buffets are similar to what is used today.  We also discussed béchamel sauce learning that it originated in Florence and NOT France!  He also discussed the Mediterranean diet and how it’s main ingredient is extra virgin olive oil and the foods in the diet are “rich of goodness” (in other words- full of nutrients!!).   

Once Lecture was over we made our first recipe!!  We are cooking in every class, except for the days we go on field trips.  Today we made Crespelle Alla Florentina (Crepes Florentine Style).  The first thing we had to do was Mise en Place (measure all the ingredients before cooking).  The recipe was so easy and delicious! I am working in a group with Liz and Erica.  Liz worked on the crepes, Erica made the béchamel sauce, and I made the Florentine filling.   We made three total crepes with filling and baked in the oven until golden brown!!

Crespelle Alla Florentina

At the end of class we were able to try our creation!  The crespelle alla FLorentina was very rich in flavor, creamy, and nice and warm.  A very comforting feeling came over me.  The food was delicious.  I am so excited for what recipes are to come!

Tonight we are meeting some other ISA students to walk through Piazzale Michaelangelo.  After, the roommates and I will be making our first meal in our apartment!

Ciao!

Molly Jean

Off to Florence!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Before leaving Rome to head to Florence Liz and I tried to enter the Colosseum, but the line was a 2 hour wait! We did not have that amount of time.  So, we decided to walk over to Compo Fiori to see the markets.  I absolutely loved it!! So many vendors of fruits, spices, olive oils, cheese, and flowers. I ended up buying mixed dried fruits and nuts as well as some fruit for the bus ride.

Me and Liz at Compo Fiori!

The four hour bus ride flew by.  The city buildings quickly vanished and we were surrounded by the country side of Italy.  When we arrived in Florence we were greeted by Claudio to take us to our apartments.  The apartment is just perfect! We have a fully equipped kitchen with a stove and toaster oven (and espresso maker!).  The five of us got situated in our rooms.  Becca, Liz, and Erica are in 1 room, while Shep and I took the 2 bedroom room.

Around 9:30 we met up with Audrey, Missy, Lacey, and Laura to eat.  Laura has been here for the past 4 months studying abroad, so we were very lucky to have her around!! She took us to one of her favorite restaurants and gelateria’s. We also went to where the “party scene” is located and entered one of the bars. 

Shep, Erica, Becca, Audrey, Liz, Laura, and Me

This morning we woke up to cloudy skies and rain. This morning we had orientation with Florence University.   We grabbed some lunch after (where I was Finally able to order a decent salad!!!). 

In the afternoon we had another ISA meeting and a walking tour.  The weather was not the best with the rain and wind, but the tour guide was great!  He is a Florence Native, very passionate of his home city.  We also were shown where jersey shores house is located, which is less than a one-minute walk away from our apartment!!  My roommate Becca caught a glimpse of them walking around in the Piazza right outside our apartment!

The night ended with a great dinner of pizza and wine.  Tomorrow is the first day of class!!

Ciao

Molly Jean

The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and Spanish Steps!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Last nights visit to Trastevere may be one of my favorite memories of Italy.  The area is very quaint.  It was nice being away from the center of the city.  As we walked there from the Piazza Novona, we passed an area known as Compo de Fiori.  During the day there are many flower vendors along with fruit and vegetable vendors.  This is my kind of place!!!  I was disappointed I did not hear about it on the tour we had earlier yesterday.  I wish that I had time to see it during the day-time, but with a busy scheduled planned for the next 2 days of Rome, I am left with no time.

Me, Liz, Erica, Becca, and Shep ate at a cute Italian restaurant called Da Tony’s.  We were greeted by the friendly owner of the restaurant.  He seated us at a red checkered clothed table outside.  We shared a bottle of red wine and enjoyed a lovely dinner with a live accordion player in the background.  A perfect Italian setting! The owner gave us complimentary lemon sorbet at the end of our meal telling us he enjoyed having us at him restaurant.  I must say that this is the best meal I had in Rome!

Today was the visit to The Vatican and Sistine Chapel.  We took a bus into Vatican city where we were surrounded by ancient buildings and sunshine.  As we entered the Vatican we were handed a ticket and a head-set.  A tour guide lead us through explaining in detail each corridor and the art work and tapestries within.  Michaelangelo’s work is breath taking.   It was amazing to look at all the detail that went into every inch that was painted.  Some ceilings looked as if they were 3D and sculpted, but it was flat.  My favorite room was the “Map Room” (or at least that’s what I call it!)   The room was filled with maps of the different areas of Rome.  I was amazed at how they were able to draw where the mountains were located, where bodies of water were.  How did they do this without Google Map???

Outside Sistine Chapel

            

The tour ended at the Sistine Chapel.  It was very surreal to me to be standing in such a sacred place.  It was very dim with curtains closed so that the paintings were not damaged.  

After we walked outside to St. Peter’s Square for everyone to meet to head back to the hotel for a quick lunch and orientation on Florence.  We also had a welcome dinner at a Ristourante known as Pizza Re.

The night ended with Me, Liz, Erica, and Becca walking to the Spanish Steps.  We climbed up all 170 steps and entered the church (Trinty Del Monte) where I lit a candle for my grandmother.  We found a wine bar that looked over the steps and had a glass of Prosecco to celebrate us going forth in our journey from Rome to Florence.

Ciao!

Molly Jean

Walking Tour and Getting Lost

Thursday, May 12, 2011

The hotel breakfast had a lot to offer (and it was Free for us!).  There was different meats, cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, yogurt, fruit, and juices.  I started out the day with a yogurt, fruit salad, and a thick slice of Italian bread with mixed fruit jam, and of course, a cup of coffee!

We were given a headphone set and split into 2 groups.  The weather was perfect with clear blue skies and the sun shining with temperatures in the mid 70s.

We began at the Colosseum and learned about the history. We did not get to see the inside due to lack of time.  The site of the Colosseum just made my trip feel very real.  I still can not believe I am here in this beautiful country!  From there you are able to see the Arch of Constantine.  Next we traveled down the street to the Piazza Venezia.  There stands the Monument to Vittorio Emmanuele II, also known as “The Wedding Cake” And Palazzo Venezia.

Next was the Trevi Foutain where I threw a coin with my right arm over the left shoulder!!  Next was the Pantheon, which was stunning.  A group in there that was visiting began to sing.  Their sound was amazing and so mesmerizing.  The tour ended at Piazza Novona and the Four Rivers Fountain, which is a popular known market area.

Colosseum

Trevi Fountain

Without knowing where we were heading for lunch, Me, Liz, Erica, Shep, and Becca made our way in a direction we thought was the Trevi fountain.  We had seen a delicious looking pizza shop that we wanted to go back to.  We ran into what looked like what Americans would call “the shopping district.”  We weren’t too upset!  We found another place that sold pizza by the slice.  We all ordered a roasted tomato, basil, mozzarella pizza. 

After being lost and asking people if the spoke English to help us, we finally made it back to the hotel that we had been searching for 3 hours.  Tonight the entire group in meeting at Piazza Novona (where our tour ended) to walk to Trastevere area and of course eat more of Italians wonderful cuisine!  Hopeful not to get lost again!

Arrival to ROMA!!!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

After a long flight from Cleveland to DC to Rome, we finally made it to Rome Airport at 8:30 AM.    After finally getting off the plane to look out the window, all we could see were airplanes, construction, and trees in the distance. Reminded us of what any other city in America looks like when getting off the plane!!  We were extremely anxious to see what Rome had to offer.  Once we went through customs and found our luggage we had to wait for the ISA (International Study Abroad) representatives to come pick us up.  In the mean time we found other ISA students waiting to be picked up.  We all sat and chatted when finally 2 women with big smiles on their faces came forth waving signs that said “ISA.” They introduced themselves as Lucia, the Resident director, and Perla, the assistant director.

Once everyone arrived we boarded a charter bus and headed into the city to our hotel, Grande Hotel Palatino.  All I have to say is that Italian drivers are CRAZY!  Once we arrived to the hotel we were told to drop off our luggage and go to lunch since we were unable to check into our rooms until 2:00 PM.  We ate at a caffe down the street from our hotel where I had a Café Americano (so strong!) and an Eggplant and Mozzarella Panini.  Both delicious choices!

At Cleveland Airport ready to board our flight to DC

We were finally able to check into the hotel to get ready for Orientation and a bus tour. The bus tour made it difficult to see everything that the tour guide was pointing out, since we were in a charter bus.  We went past the Colloseum, Piazza Venezia, Villa Borghese, Arch of Constantine, and much more.  Tomorrow we have a 3-hour walking tour and will be able to see much more, learn a lot more about the history, and take beautiful pictures!

For dinner we went to a ristourante off the main street. I ordered Spaghetti A La Carbornara, and Rome specialty. The night ended with Pistacchio Gelato.  Now with 36 straight hours of being awake, it is time for my first nights sleep in Italy!!

My first Gelato in Italy :)

Ciao!

Molly Jean

My Study Abroad Adventure Begins!

At this time tomorrow I will be en route to Italy! I am studying abroad in Italy for three and a half weeks which will fulfill my elective rotation of my dietetic internship!! I will be joined by two other classmates, Erica and Liz.   The three of us will be staying in an apartment with two other girls, and studying and Florence University.  The class we will be taking is "Food, Culture, and Society."  In the class we will discuss the history of Italian culture, as well as the present moment.  The class will also have a few days of cooking and wine tasting!  Sounds perfect to me!!

Right now I have a mix of emotions.  I am so excited and thankful to have this opportunity to travel and study in one of the most beautiful countries in the world!  Italy is one of my top five places in the world that I would like to visit and I am thrilled to be going at such a great time and place in my life.  I am feeling confident in traveling overseas, since I have done so in the past (to Ireland and France with my family).  But, along with my excitement, I am incredibly nervous and overwhelmed.  I have never traveled so far on my own for this long.  There is always something uneasy about leaving my family, friends, and boyfriend, no matter how long I am gone.  But, I have the best family and friends a person can ask for.  All have helped to put my fears away and help to prepare myself for what is ahead!  This is a once in a life time chance!! There is no room for worrying.  Especially with all the exciting and beautiful Italian sites and delicious mouth watering food I am about to see and taste (and even cook!).

Packing was a little difficult... I always over-pack, but this is no trip to over-pack for, especially since I need plenty of room for souvenirs!

Hoping everything fits and is under 50 pounds

First official fitting = complete failure

Finally done!

I would like to thank my wonderful parents for allowing me to take this wonderful opportunity.  (I love you mom and dad!!)  My father studied abroad in France and my brother Kevin studied abroad in Switzerland (an now a Peace Corps volunteer in Azerbaijan).  Hearing about both experiences have always made me jealous in the fact that I never had the opportunity to study abroad.  My life in undergrad consisted of swimming, eating, sleeping, and studying.  As a student-athlete, there was just no time to study abroad anywhere!  But now, in grad school, the opportunity still awaits.  I finally get my chance to study abroad!! 

Please feel free to follow me now through June 4th to hear about my study abroad experience!

Ciao!

Molly Jean