My Favorite Thing to Cook and Eminem's Death

Last night was a relaxing night in.  Liz and I bought pasta on Wednesday at the San Lorenzo Market.  The shape of the pasta reminded us of an over sized tortellini, filled with spinach and ricotta.  Cooking this time was a lot easier than the first.  No fuses were blown!!  Only 2 burners on and cooking in the dark is the trick!!

Within 30 minutes dinner was ready!  The pasta filling was as sweet and creamy as the filling that was made in class for Crispelle Florentina.  The balsamic reduction coated my mouth with a delightful sweetness! (Aspiring food critic right here... wish I was better at describing my food.  Maybe I should just stick with the work "yummy.")

Balsamic reduction I made to serve with the pasta

After dinner,  Liz, Erica, and I all sat together on Liz’s bed to watch Modern Family on Hulu and then after went to Perché-No for gelato, another place recommended by Chef Tammaso.  I ordered two flavors, white chocolate and coffee crunch. Delicious!!!

This morning’s class was a discussion on Northern Italian food, focusing on Lambardia.  With it’s mountainous landscape, Lambardia is known for rice, milk, butter, and cheese.  Lambardia’s traditional dish is risotto, which is my absolute favorite meals to cook.  Northern Italy also likes to use more animal fat, such as butter and lard, for cooking, because of the cooler climate,  compared to southern Italy who cooks with olive oil.  Therefore, the Mediterranean Diet is NOT practiced too much in Northern Italy as much as it is in the South.

Today’s class recipe was risotto with asparagus and Veil Milanese (breaded and fried veil).  Chef Tommaso taught about the best cuts of veil to shop for.  The top three are veil rib roast, top sirloin, or strip loin.  It is best to cook with the bone, adding great flavor, as well as making it easier to flip on the grill or pan while cooking.

Cooking the risotto was very comforting in that it reminded me of being at home, cooking my favorite recipe.  After the first step of sauteing the onoins, we toasted the arborio rice and then added the wine.  As the wine cooked off and was absorbed into the rice, the room filled with a scent of sweetness.  The slow process of adding the stock takes awhile, but I love standing and stirring the risotto with excitement, just knowing what the end product will turn out to be.

The final steps were to add butter and parmesan cheese to add an extra creaminess to the risotto. Our final product was excellent!!  Chef Tommaso was very pleased.   The risotto was very creamy and satisfying and the freshness of the asparagus was spectacular!  We also added basil at the end to give the risotto a kick of flavor.  Molto buono! 

risotto

The veil was excellent as well with a crispy outer crust and tasty, tender meat inside.

Viel Malanese

And the end of class Chef Tammaso tried to play a trick on us. He told us that Eminem died tonight (and by "tonight" we believe he meant last night).  Everyone's jaw dropped.  We asked him how, what happened, when, where... "He was drunk... crashed his car in the street... in LA..."  We were all a little skeptical of Chef Tommaso's story, but believed him.  Liz ran out of the class room to check the internet and Chef Tommaso began to laugh "This is not true!!!"  He was so proud of himself.  He got us good!!

After class, Liz, Erica, Becca and I went to climb the 463 steps to the top of  The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, also know as Duomo, since we did not end up going yesterday!  The stairway up was steep, dark, and crowded.  I have never known myself to be so claustrophobic!  Whenever we would stop moving all I could think of was how I would get out if something had happened.  Once we saw a glimpse of sun from the last flight of stairs I had a sigh of relief.  Although the climb was a bit nerve racking, it was well worth it!  The view was beautiful with the sun shining over the city of Florence.  We were able to see our Piazza della Repubblica, which is right where we (and Jersey Shore!) live.  We were also able to point out the leather market, San Lorenzo Market, etc…

Piazza Della Repubblica

San Lorenzo Market

Off to enjoy the rest of this fabulous sunny Friday here in Florence!

Ciao!

Molly Jean

Eating for Pleasure

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Last night a group of us decided to go out to a restaurant named Yellow Bar, pre recommendation of Chef Tommaso during our class yesterday.  The food was AMAZING.  I ordered strichetti pasta and a salad (with was much needed after a few days without many veggies!).  The stichetti pasta noodle reminded me of a lasagna noodle.  The sweet tomato sauce was filled with zucchini and eggplant, topped with a hint of mint and parmesan cheese.  After everyone was finished with their primi and secandi, we absolutely could NOT pass up dessert.  Liz and I shared chocolate and vanilla gelato topped with whisky.  The whisky was a bit much for me but added a nice punch of flavor to the gelato.

Insalata Mista (Mixed salad)

Strichetti Pasta with tomato, eggplant, zuchini, mint, and parmesean

chocolate and vanilla gelato and whisky

In the beginning of class we discussed yeterday’s market tour and the food we ate around Florence.  The main idea of yesterday is to see how food is used for pleasure.  Plasurable food uses only the best ingredients.  This includes produce in season, the best fish, and making friends with the vendors so you can rely on someone to help you out when you are unsure!  Eating in Florence has really helped me change my perspective on ways of eating.  You cannot eliminate food that makes you feel good.   (of course keeping portions in mind!!).  This is why people fail at “diets.”  A diet should be a way of healthy eating habits that you are able to make you feel good and keep up with for the rest of your life.  Eliminating “pleasure” foods from your diet feels like a punishment and this is what makes dieting much harder than it is.

The topic of today’s class we spoke of folklore and festivals in Italy.  Chef Tommaso focused on The Race of the Candles in Gubbio in which people run frantically to the church of Santa Maria.  Country festivals are known as “sagre” which is the glorification of food for the people and thanking God for all that he has provided.

The recipe made was “Zuppa di Farro.”  Farro is the first grain for the people and is very inexpensive.  It is an acient grain grown in the roman times and is known for its nutrition and to be eaten by those who have an intolerance to wheat.  In todays recipe we used spelt instead of farro.  They are very similar and can be exchanged for one another in recipes.  The soup also contains potatoes, tomatoes, fresh sage, tomato paste, vegetable stock, and cannellini beans.

At the end of the recipe we made sfumata, which is olive oil, rosemary and garlic heated together.  After sautéing until the garlic is golden brown, the garlic clove and rosemary are discarded and the olive oil is poured into the soup.  To serve the soup you place the soup in the bowl with a piece of garlic toast, topped with grated parmesan cheese, olive oil, and pepper.

sfumata

The final product

The soup was very warm, hearty, and comforting.  Chef Tammaso was very impressed with everybody’s cooking skills today! 

Today is a day of relaxation, enjoying the sun and clear skies, and later a tour of The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, also know as Duomo!  We are cooking dinner at home tonight with fresh pasta stuffed with ricotta and spinach that Liz and I bought yesterday from San Lorenzo Market. And of course there is always room for gelato :)

Ciao!

Molly Jean

Molly Jean

The Best Hot Chocolate in the World

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Today’s class was the best yet!! Chef Tommaso walked us through the St. Lorenzo Market.  It reminded me of The West Side Market in Cleveland, but 100x better!  The first thing we saw was the fresh fish.  He pointed out his favorite.  He also said that Italian women do not know how to cook fish so the men usually make it.  He said all you need is a little olive oil in the pan to sauté.  No other flavor has to be added because the fish is full of so much flavor.

The fruits and vegetables at the market were full of bright colors.  Chef Tommaso showed us what was in season and where to buy the best cherries, peaches, and strawberries.  He took us to one of his good friends wine and cheese stand where we sampled parmesan and pecorino cheese with fig jam to dip it in.  Chef Tommaso pointed out that the Pinot Nior was the best at this stand.

Next Chef Tommaso took us to his favorite Panini place called Il Cernacchino.  There we were able to order either a salad, Panini, or soup in a tiny bread bowl.  I ordered peposo, a soup made of beef, red wine, and black peppers.  It was full of flavor with a hint of spice.  The warmth of the soup was very satisfying.

Peposo

Chef Tommaso took a picture of us from outside

After devouring the soup bowl we walked over to a café call Rivoire, which is known for the best chocolate.  Chef Tommaso ordered hot chocolate for all!  It was the BEST hot chocolate I have ever had.  The chocolate was rich with flavor and topped with creamy with fluffy and creamy whipped topping.  On our way back to the classroom Chef Tommaso shared his favorite places to eat.  He said if we tell the waiters we are his students then we will get a discount!! I am very grateful to be in the class and have Chef Tommaso as my professor.   It has been a perfect start to a warm, bright, and sunny day!!

The best hot chocolate in the world

Words cannot describe how good this was!

The rest of the day will be spent walking around, visiting Pointe Vecchio bridge, going back to the leather market, and stationary shops!!

Ciao!

Molly Jean

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