VIVA ITALIA!!!

Can I just say something? Italian food is the best food in the world. HANDS DOWN. I spent 10 days in Italy and had the amazing opportunity to enjoy a real homemade Italian meal. There are a couple of things you have to understand about Italian eating.Pretty much, Italians have several courses in ONE sitting.
 

Check out this casa, so gorgeous... I want to live here!

1. Ok, you start with the pasta, in this case Lasagna. By the way, this was the best lasagna I've ever had! The sauce wasn't too tart, and there was just the right amount of meat and cheese. Oh and the pasta was cooked perfectly, so fresh, so good.

2. The family set up a grand dining table of food to feast on AFTER the meal:

So, as you can see from the above pictures there was an assortment of great great food. Mozzarella, foccacia, salad, beans (like special Italian beans) which you eat with parmegiano reggiano, spicy prosciutto, non spicy proscuitto ( which the family made themselves, somehow?), there was also sun dried tomatoes (homemade), and this other sort of bread... which you eat the cheese and the prosciutto with. I need to adopt this family and have them introduce this to the US because it was delectable. Molto buono!

3. Dessert

...the name of the cake slips my mind at the moment, but again it was a nice way to finish off a hefty meal. The cake was almost like a pie- in the sense that it was dense but light at the same time, had an egg custard taste to it and wasn't too sweet.

4. Espresso!!

Its small, but strong...so, beware! Brewed to perfection (in a french press, on a stove), end the meal in the most relaxing way possible. This is the life!

My friend at Whole Food's

Ever been to Whole Foods and wonder how they make these amazing cakes? Well, last week when I was there I met a group of pretty cool guys who worked at the bakery...and they bake everything there! I would love to come in for a demonstration or a small class to learn how to bake these cakes.

The shortest season.

The days that we get so little of...

I mean, its kind of gorgeous. Boston is a completely different city when the sun decides to shine...it may be 50 degrees outside, but that doesn't stop girls from coming out in dresses, shorts, and hats. The month of April is fully dedicated to these beautiful blossoms...they come, they go, then it rains. =(

Gelato = better than American ice cream

So I just got back from Rome and had the opportunity to experience a gelateria on literally every block. Gelato, I would have to say is its own species...I think its a lot better than "ice cream" even though it technically meaaaannns ice cream, yeah its not. The featured flavors above are pistachio and hazelnut, pronounced "pis-ta-kee-oh" apparently.

Farmer's Market

The city of Boston does a complete 180 when the temperature reaches 70 degrees. Fair enough, so this weekend the days were spent primarily outside and at our favorite venue... basically, wherever there is food.

1. Dim Sum (hangover cure)
2. Tapioca ( why not)
3. Farmer's Market ( a must)

Highlights of the farmer's market:

I love the farmer's market because you get fresh produce for cheap! I probably save a good $20-$30 on grocery's by shopping here. I also love the aura of the place- all the colors, textures, smells of fruits and veggies really encapsulates the novelty behind the place. Another great aspect are the vendors themselves....constantly yelling out (in a boston accent of course), smoking cigarettes, being pushy like in the movie Aladdin.

my friends Alie and Magen trying to pick the best bunch of asparagus (only $1.00!!)

Asian Farmers....nicely posing prease

haha this guy was hilarious! quite some characters at this market...he struck this pose last minute, im glad I caught it. 5 dollar footlong?? Jazz fingers??

Oranges are in season..."i'll take 2 please"

just kidding...i'll take 6? just $1.00?? really?? you sure? ok fine, here's a dollar.

My friend John's first time to the market... such a noob. I think he enjoyed, he got excited about 3 boxes of blackberrys for a $1.50

Where can you find peppers for 3 for a $1.00?? So fresh and crisp you can bake, broil, grill, or eat raw! sooo yum

Did I mention they have FISH?? FRESHHH FISH!! (Aladdin scene reminder? anyone?)
cheap. good. fresh. case in point.

Every other week I go to the market to buy salmon, but this week they were out!! Such a travesty on all levels....because its lenten season and I need my fish fix. Anyways, this guy was there and I forced him to hold up a fish head hehe, well it made my day and I hope he got a kick out of some crazy asian lady forcing him to take a pic. ALSO... this man LOOKS like a real fisherman-with the beard, hat, and just the features of his face. His name is probably John, last name Silver, im putting money on it.

Sundays and Apple Pie

I always need a day or two to recover from any vacation, my body refuses to function, I can't think, but baking seems to nurse the nostalgia.

Garlic Mayo vavavoom

The first time I had garlic mayo was at a restaurant called Gourmet Burger Kitchen aka gbk in London which makes sense because it works best with burgers. It sounded intriguing... hence why I ordered it, and oh boy let me tell you it was the best thing since sliced bread.

I was used to eating burgers with mayo- growing up, my mom's version of hamburgers were mini patties served with rice mayo and ketchup (weird sounding I know, but soo good). Then this magical creation comes along, some genius decides to literally put minced garlic + mayo together and yes vavavoom!!

I make it all the time...SO EASY! Also works with french fries and I have yet to try it on fried fish.