Mamma Mia

Here I go with my shameless reminiscing about my summer spent in Italia... One of my favorite things about Italy is its food. The Italians have a whole culture built around cooking and eating, and I love it all. Italy is responsible for two of my biggest food obsessions: espresso and tiramisu, which also includes espresso, see a pattern here? While I was there I took a food and wine pairing class (rough life, I know). I came back with tons of recipes that I like to whip up every now and then when I'm missing it. This week I decided to go all out and make a big Italian feast with some of my favorites. Here's what's on the menu:

Caprese Salad

Penne with Tomato Cream Sauce

Beef Scallopini

Tiramisu 

Nothing beats having fresh ingredients, and luckily my mom has a mean little herb garden that helped out a lot with this meal.

Chopping the basil for the caprese and the pasta sauce.

I knew preparing this feast would be quite a task, so I called in my bestie Jordan for reinforcement. She's clearly ready to work.

This is by far my favorite textbook I've ever had. It's been used a time or two. Also, since I was going all out I brought out the legit olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I bought them while in Italy and save them for special occasions. They're that good.

While it was all consumed long ago, this is the label for my favorite wine from Italy, Gavi di Gavi. I've found Gavi stateside but have yet to find anything as memorable as this specific producer. 

Working on the pasta sauce.

Of course the dishes have to match the occasion.

The spread

And now for the grand finale... I take my tiramisu very seriously. I made it a day early so it could set up  in the fridge overnight.

A little cocoa powder dusting for the finishing touch

With my pride and joy!

I guess I can share the wealth. Here's all the recipes. Buon Appetito!

Caprese

 tomato

 mozzarella

 basil

 olive oil

 balsamic vinegar

 salt & pepper

Slice and layer any way you like!

Penne w/ tomato cream sauce

12 plum tomatoes

1 onion, diced

1 clove garlic, diced

4 Tbsp. butter

parsley

oregano

basil

salt and pepper

1/2 c heavy cream

500 g (appx. 1 box) penne pasta

Peel and coarsely chop tomatoes. Reserve juice. Mix tomatoes, juice, parsley, oregano, basil, s and p. Let stand. Melt butter in large pan. Add onion and garlic. Saute for 10 min.

Add tomatoes, mix. Cook over medium heat 1/2 hour. Add cream. Heat through. Serve over cooked pasta.

Beef Scallopini- serves 4

400g (appx. 14 oz.) beef (or veal) slices

1 glass dry white wine

flour to dust meat

4 Tbsp. butter

1Tbsp fresh chopped parsley

salt and pepper

Place beef slices between wax paper and pound thin (1/4 inch). Shake cutlets in paper bag containing flour, s and p.

Heat 1/2 of the butter in skillet and cook meat rapidly so it browns on both sides. Take meat out of skillet and pour in the rest of the butter and wine, creating a creamy sauce. Return beef to skillet and let simmer, covered for 5 minutes. Serve warm topped with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.

Tiramisu

5 eggs, separated

3/4 cup sugar

2 cups mascarpone cheese

dash of salt

ladyfingers/sponge fingers cookies

2 cup espresso

cocoa powder

Whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale. Fold in the mascarpone. Beat the egg whites with the salt until stiff and fold into the mixture. Spread a layer over the bottom of a 9x9 dish. Dip the ladyfingers in the coffee and place a layer over the cream in the dish. Repeat. Finish with a layer of the cream and a dusting of cocoa powder. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

XO,

Lo

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Last but Not Least

My Ma really knows the way to my heart. She has so graciously passed on her sweet tooth to all three children. It is a blessing and curse as we voraciously eat anything sweet in sight with an unquenchable appetite. I'd call myself the Cookie Monster, but that would not be accurate as I do not discriminate among desserts. 

The expert that she is in the artistry of all things sweet, gave me a little lesson in fixin' black raspberry cobbler (hear my adopted Southern twang) . I am going to give credit where credit is due...I didn't do diddly squat in the preparation of this yummy cobbler. All my pictures are staged to appear that I was slaving away in the kitchen. 

I did however help with the devouring portion of this segment. I know it tasted so good because it was made with looooove.

Warm from the oven scoop it out in big heaping portions, add a scoop of ice cream and you will be licking the bowl clean. It is so good it will be difficult to look like a civilized human being. 

Because we're friends, I'll share...

Black Raspberry Cobbler 
1 cup flour
1/4 c sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 cups fresh or frozen black raspberries (or blackberries),thawed
1/4 cup boiling water

Step 1: In a medium bowl stir together flour,the 1/4 cup sugar,baking powder. Cut in butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs, make a well in center. Set bowl Aside.
Step 2: in medium saucepan,stir together 1 cup sugar and the cornstarch.
Step 3: stir in berries, the first 1/4 cup water. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly.  Keep warm over low heat.
Step 4:  stir 1/4 cup boiling water into flour mixture just until combined.
Step 5:  transfer hot berry mixture to a 2 quart square baking dish.  Drop batter in 6 spoonfuls atop hot berry mixture.
Step 6:  bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until dumplings are golden. Serve warm with ice cream.

XOXO,
Bee

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So. Indiana Day One

It had been quite some time since I had trekked anywhere North of the Mason Dixon Line, but this Yank was gleeful about spending the holiday weekend back home in the heartland. I put the pedal to the metal and met the brother in Nashville. We blasted the tunes, ate our sammies, and ventured up North for what was sure to be four days of uninterrupted bliss. Ma and Pops really lay on the pampering for their little chicks...I gladly oblige.

We got in late. The air was cool and brisk with an eerie fog settling in over So. Indiana. We rolled the windows down and breathed in the farmland, feeling an overwhelming nostalgia for teenage summer nights country cruisin'. Being the old folks we are we dragged our suitcases in and crashed.

One of my favorite things to do when I'm home (less stuffing my face with Mom's homecookin') is to wake up early and hit the pavement with a light jog. The summer is the best with brisk, dewey mornings. The scenery is not bad either.   

Ma's got a heck of a green thumb. I have proof that's not genetic.

Ma spoils us rotten with some delicious grilled shrimp, veggies, and local corn on the cob. My dad is one lucky bloke.

A little cayenne for a kick

Like Mother like daughter. 

The way to my heart...sweets

Stuffed and feeling a little heavier it seemed only appropriate to go play outside. Out came the clubs.

Some are better than others...I'm saving my own embarrassing story for later. Let's just say I'm far off from being country club groomed.

I later visited the newest addition to my best girl Mere's family. His name is Hudson. After countless snapchats, texts, and Insta photos I finally met the little fella who was sure to steal my heart. It was love at first site. 

These four days were so eventful I couldn't pack them all into one post. Stay tuned for more. It starts off relaxing but like any great weekend, it only gets more entertaining. Because I like ya, I'll make sure you don't miss a beat.

XOXO,

Bee

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