Every monday morning there is a market set up in Ariccia with an assortment of goodies!! Cinzia met us around 8:30 to walk with us and help with translations :) What would we do without her?! We mainly wanted to go to the market to get fresh fruits and vegetables... and it's safe to say... we got them! I got an entire head of lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, zucchinis, bananas, and clementines all for 3,25 euro!!! Which is equivalent to about $4.50! Can you believe it?! They are so fresh... and I am excited to make yummy salads for lunch this week!
After we made our purchases we went back to the palace for our first Italian lesson with Corinna! Corinna taught us the basic Italian greetings and introductions. We also learned common terms to use at the market [too bad we hadn't learned this an hour before]! Hopefully communication will become easier after a few more classes :)
Our Italian lesson was followed by our first cooking lesson with Mary Lou [Maurizio's mom]!! This is such a treat. Mary Lou is just the sweetest lady with the biggest smile. I want to make her my grandmother! She taught us how to make a traditional pasta dish that is very popular here in Ariccia! At the end of the semester, we will get a booklet that has all of the recipes we have learned! Yay!
Even though Mary Lou says she hasn't always been a a good cook, the pasta was delicioussss and she also had many great pointers! Don't worry roomie, I took notes! :)
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| Ingredients: pasta, onion, bacon, tomato, olive oil, white wine, salt, pepper, sugar, chili powder, and basil leaves! |
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| Mary Lou cutting the bacon |
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| Sallie and Jamie chopping the onion! |
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| After the chopped bacon and onion are fully cooked (in olive oil) add the tomatoes! and some white wine if you would like (enhances the flavor)! Mary Lou used a Chardonnay. |
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| Mary Lou says it is very important to never start cooking the pasta until the sauce is finished. That way the food is sure to be warm for your guests! |
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| She used a Penne Rigate pasta because it has rigid edges, allowing it to hold the sauce and give it more flavor! |
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| She added a pinch of sugar to the sauce, some salt and pepper, and some chili spices! She says she sprinkles basil leaves on top in the summer! |
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| Almost done! How cute it she?! |
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| Mixing the pasta and sauce together! |
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| Last but not least, CHEESEEE! Parmigiano! :) |
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| Cinzia and Mary Lou! |
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| Bon appetit!!!!! |
...and a few more pointers from Mary Lou:
- the smaller you cut the onion and bacon (or whatever you add) the faster it will cook
- hold the onion under water while you peel it to help from crying
- when you pour the pasta in, you must wait until it re-boils to start timing how long it it supposed to cook
- the longer the pasta cooks, the less healthy it is (nutrients leave over time)
- always use a wooden spoon so you can feel the food and so you do not ruin the pan
- if you have pasta left over, save it and add eggs to it in the morning to make a yummy omelet
- and... the way to a man's heart is through his stomach :)
Next week, we will be learning how to make a zucchini and shrimp dish!! and Cinzia's molten chocolate cake! Yum!
How cool are my classes?? :)
xoxo
Britt
P.s.- VOTE FOR LINDSEY GILLEN FOR MISS AUBURN TOMORROW on AU Access... or we are not friends!!!! Just kidding... but seriously :)
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