Foto Solo: Brugge

Shopping

It's sale time! Sales here are special and a little bit of a big deal.  They only occur twice per year- during the months of January and July.  Merchants place their items on sale, usually granting 20 to 50% discounts.  It makes sense that they want to clear their shelves and racks for the next season.  Strangely enough, this designated sale period is also mandated by Italian law.  Stores may only have sales during these two months.  As a result, this year Michael and I saved our Christmas shopping for each other until January...

I've also taken advantage of sales on home goods at a favorite department store: Coin.  I scored a set of 6 balloon wine glasses, cloth napkins, and new towels, all for 50% off.

    

Foto Solo: Amsterdam

Homemade Handmade Gnocchi

I hadn't heard of gnocchi until I came to Italy.  As soon as I tried these little pillow-shaped pasta, I was smitten.  They are actually made from potatoes rather than flour and resemble dumplings in taste and texture.  They go well with tomato sauces but I prefer them with cheesy ones.  I've had them in restaurants and I found fresh ones at the grocery store.  I then came across a recipe that seemed do-able and soon discovered a new favorite comfort food that I can easily make myself.  You should give it a shot too... you will certainly be surprised.

A visual demonstration...of Giada's gnocchi recipe from Everyday Pasta.

Start with two whole baking potatoes. 

(Giada suggests russets.  I used ones specifically identified for making gnocchi.)

Pierce them all over using a fork.

  

Roast them in the oven at 375 degrees F for 50 minutes.

or

Microwave on High, turning once, for 12 minutes.

Either way, cook until tender.

Cut potatoes in half and scoop insides into a large bowl.

Use a fork to mash the potatoes VERY WELL.

(This step is crucial for a smooth texture and to avoid lumps in the finished gnocchi)

Stir in one egg, lightly beaten.  Add one teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

Sift in 3/4 cup all-purpose flour.

Stir until blended.

(I used my hands to make this lovely potato dough ball)

Scoop out a small amount of the dough

Roll into a small ball.

Then, roll into a rope.

(Reminds me of making "snakes" as a child with Playdough.)

Cut the "snake" into 1-inch pieces.

Roll over the tines of a fork to make ridges.

Place on a baking sheet until ready to cook.

(I tossed my gnocchi pieces with flour to prevent them from sticking to each other or to my pan as I made the rest of the batch.)

Bring a pot of water to boil.  Salt the water. 

Carefully place half of the gnocchi in the pot.

Cook until the gnocchi float, about 3 minutes.

Scoop the gnocchi out with a slotted spoon and reserve in a colander.

For the sauce...

Melt butter in skillet with 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon of fresh over medium heat until the butter's melted, about 2 minutes.

(Original recipe calls for 3/4 cup or 1 1/2 sticks!  I used a couple of tablespoons)

Transfer gnocchi to skillet.

Toss to coat.

 

Top with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese.

 

 

 

Mangia!

Homemade Handmade Pasta

Another cooking challenge that I'm able to check off the list...homemade handmade pasta.  Now, I'm not talking about using a stand mixer with a pasta attachment.  I, or should I say "we", used our hands, a rolling pin, and old-fashioned elbow grease to crank out this pasta.   

First, I must pause and dish out some credit.  I am a regular follower of the lovely blog site called Joy the Baker.  Not only does she post witty dessert recipes, occasionally she offers insight to her other kitchen adventures such as pumpkin and butternut squash soup and homemade handmade pasta.  Her pasta post inspired me to do what I've been longing to do since I came to Italy- make pasta in my kitchen by hand.

We kneaded.

We rolled.

We cut.

We filled.

I used a ricotta-prosciutto-spinach mixture and topped it with a butter-oregano sauce... Giada's creation.

The result?  Deliciously fresh and chewy pasta. No preservatives. 

Nothing but goodness!

Foto Solo: Cena di Natale 2009

Auguri da Italia

Seasons Greetings from Italy!

It's officially January 2010! (I can't believe it...)  And, the winter weather came too.   It's really cold here!  Snow is trying to fall.  It's more like a mix of freezing rain.  The only thing I want to do is stay inside where it's warm and cozy.  I've seen freezing temps for back home too.  The world has received the 2010 chill. 

I know it seems that I have been MIA lately.  Sorry about that.

Here are my excuses...

1. Stomach flu... no details necessary.
2. Slooooooow internet.  All the Italians are home for the holidays and must be spending their vacation online.  Maybe not, but our internet connection has been really bogged down lately.  Remember when internet was dial-up?  It's like that for us right now.  Click....and.... wait... I want to share the evidence of our Christmas dinner but it's impossible to upload pictures.
3. Hubby's on vacation.  We've had some wonderful holiday quality time.  But, there's only one computer for two people.  I lose. 

Updates are coming! 

• Christmas dinner photos...
• Hubby's surprise birthday dessert...
• Handmade pasta and gnocchi...
• Amsterdam & Brugge trip reports and photos...
• And something new for 2010- a guest blogger!