3-20-2009
It is a cold , gray day in Rome and I am enjoying some much needed down time. I locked myself in my room this morning and don't plan to come out until 3 or 4 p.m. I have to work all day tomorrow and it's Saturday, but this is only fair considering I've enjoyed three long weekends in a row. I hope I can take the babies to Villa Borghese or Villa Glori tomorrow. The forecast says sunny and I don't want to be disappointed.
The past two days Lorenzo and Francesco have come to play in the afternoon. It has been utter chaos. I leave them alone until the boys leave and then pick up after the mayhem. Toys are strewn every which way and the house is basically destroyed. I am happy there will be no guests today. :o)
This experience has changed me. I mean I will take so many things from this that will last throughout my life. For example, the cooking. I have learned how to make artichokes, roasted red peppers, lentil/vegetable soup, pasta carbonara, Italian meat balls (polpette), homemade tomato sauce ... Also, just the food in general ... I hope I can find these things when I get home. I LOVE the fresh prosciutto and mozzarella. I simply can't stand to eat without adding Parmesan cheese and olive oil to my food, and the balsamic vinegar is the best ever.
I worry that I just won't find these things in the US and if I do, they will be overpriced. And, the greens ... I love this vegetable called Finocchi. (Is this fennel?) It is spicy and delicious. The Italians eat the base of this vegetable raw with only olive oil and salt. The arugula here is the best arugula I have ever tasted! I also love this other type of lettuce the Italians call songino (lamb's lettuce). It is sweet and has a wonderful texture. And I definitely know what good olive oil is now. Don't even get me started on the wine ... ;)
This experience has changed me. I mean I will take so many things from this that will last throughout my life. For example, the cooking. I have learned how to make artichokes, roasted red peppers, lentil/vegetable soup, pasta carbonara, Italian meat balls (polpette), homemade tomato sauce ... Also, just the food in general ... I hope I can find these things when I get home. I LOVE the fresh prosciutto and mozzarella. I simply can't stand to eat without adding Parmesan cheese and olive oil to my food, and the balsamic vinegar is the best ever.
I worry that I just won't find these things in the US and if I do, they will be overpriced. And, the greens ... I love this vegetable called Finocchi. (Is this fennel?) It is spicy and delicious. The Italians eat the base of this vegetable raw with only olive oil and salt. The arugula here is the best arugula I have ever tasted! I also love this other type of lettuce the Italians call songino (lamb's lettuce). It is sweet and has a wonderful texture. And I definitely know what good olive oil is now. Don't even get me started on the wine ... ;)
p.s. Nespresso is the way to go when it comes to coffee and I will promptly purchase a Nespresso machine when I return home.
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