Experiments in "la Cucina"

Since arriving in Italy I have been attempting to cook a couple dinners a week in my apartment. So far there have been some high points, and some low points. In general the appliances are not as advanced as those that I am used to-- I have to light a gas stove with a lighter, I have yet to figure out how the oven works, and microwaves have yet to cross the Atlantic. That being said, some pretty dang tasty dishes have made their way out of my kitchen. My favorite has been some ravioli with a pesto cream sauce. While I cheated a little on the ravioli and bought pre-made, the pesto sauce I made myself and was very proud!

I've also been eating about a pound of broccoli a day! My roommate and I are addicted. We just saute it with olive oil and lemon juice and it is delectable! Inheriting my father's taste buds, I also liberally pepper just about everything that goes into my mouth. Yum!

Another successful, though American, dish has been a good ole grilled cheese sandwich. This is one of my staples in Champaign, so I was craving one after just a few days here. I know it is a crime to buy Kraft cheese and pre-sliced bread in Europe, but biting into that buttery sandwich was like tasting America and banished any hint of homesickness that was threatening to surface.

Less successful was my attempt at making pomodoro (basically tomatoes and basil) sauce. While it sounds pretty basic, the tomatoes cooked waaayyyy too fast so the skin was coming off but they weren't cooked through and the store was out of fresh basil. Oh well, lots of time to perfect my techniques!

Following are pictures of some successful meals in BHI #8B!

Ciao,
Em

And on the Third Day, God Created Gelato

As anyone who really knows me can tell you, ice cream is my weak point. I can be two weeks or two minutes into a diet and one turn past Union Dairy and it's over. After working at Culver's for the past four years, I can name my top 30 flavors and their ingredients. Brownie Batter Blizzards, strawberry malts, ice cream drumsticks, ice cream cake, spumoni, banana splits, oreo dessert, egg nog shakes, etc. L-o-v-e them all. And now, here in Roma, I have found the creamy treat that tops them all: gelato.

My first gelato experience was a few years ago in France. I have also had it in Mexico. As delicious as they both were, nothing could prepare me for the Roman "gelaterias." Gelato stop #1 was near Vatican City. I somehow made it to my third day in Rome before caving in and buying some. There were so many flavors from lemon to cappuccino to Nutella! I decided on the latter. The creamy goodness could not even be explained. The chocolate and hazelnut tones were just perfect. There was no way it could get better than this.

Ohhhh but it did. Just two days later I once again couldn't resist the temptation. This time I went to a little shop just down a side street from school. I don't know what flavor I got for sure (some long Italian word-- I will write it down on one of many return trips), but it was like a vanilla cream with fudge ripples. To make it even better, the owner dipped the scoop in brittled chocolate sauce! Yum! This gelato made me almost forgot about the first helping. Alright this time was truly the best. Nothing could possibly beat this gelato.

Wrong again. My third and most recent gelato experience was truly heavenly. This time I decided on two flavors: amaretto and tiramisu. It was ambrosia-- nectar of the gods. After scraping out the bottom of the dish, I had to avoid panic by remembering I had four months to enjoy the amped-up ice cream. I have learned my lesson though: never assume you have had the best gelato in Rome. Instead, just keep getting more!

Ciao!

An Introduction to Rome via Food

Hello!

This blog will contain my ponderings, cravings, adventures, and perhaps the occasional mishap involving my culinary travels abroad. Coming from a family with a deep love for good food, I am excited to document and share my gastronomic experiences with all who have a passion for an excellent meal.

My first "oh my God" food moment in Rome took place in a pizza shop near Scuola Leonardo DaVinci and just off of Corso Vittoria Emanuele. The restaurant is called "Zucchero and Farina" (Sugar and Flour). There are beautiful breads and pastries, and the pizza that made me pause. My first slice had broccoli and an unknown sort of sausage on it. The meat of course made me hesitant, but the broccoli was delicious and the texture of the crust perfect. On my second visit, two days later, I stuck with a traditional mozzarella cheese slice. While the cheese was delightful, the sweet tomato sauce was absolutely to die for. This was the Italian pizza I had been waiting for. Not only was this slice one of the most delicious things to ever grace my taste buds, it was also about 2 euro! A bargain and a belly-full! Needless to say, I will be heading back to this joint on a regular basis!

Next post I will be exploring gelato and the temptations surrounding it!

Ciao,
Emily