Palmabella's Passions

Tuesday I began scrapbooking our rercent Italy trip. I have been an enthusiastic scrapper for 7 years. This project will take over the kitchen table for a couple of weeks, as we took lots of photos. I kept a journal during my trip, which when typed, becomes a trip report on Slow Travel. This year I also blogged along the way, though blogs were usually an abbreviated version of my journal. The point is, each day of the trip has text as well as photos to paste into the scrapbook. Then there are the background papers, captions, stickers, adornments, etc. for each page layout. The bonus is that when my scrapbook is finished, my trip report will be written too.

I usually start scrapping around 7 a.m. (after sufficient coffee), and do it on and off all day, between clients, laundry, meals, phone calls, and computer time, until 11 or 12 at night. Except Mondays, when I work 9 hours straight, I can usually figure one day for each day of vacation. I think on this trip, I need to add an extra day or two just for sunflower photos. This is only my third scrapbook day, and I'm on our third day in Florence (page 16 of the album). I print my photos as I go along, so depending on the layout, I can decide what size each photo needs to be. I print most at 5x7 inches, but some at 4x5, or occasionally an 8x10.

This year, I bought a beautiful red leather album at Livium (recommended by Colleen K. in her "Florence Shopping Notes"). There is a watercolor of Florence on the cover. Most of my Italy trips have taken 3-4 albums (volumes) to complete. I will probably have to order another one on-line. I bring an empty folder to collect ticket stubs, maps, brochures, business cards, postcards, etc. to use in my scrapbooking layouts. Then when someone asks me, "Where did you buy...?", I can go back and look.

It should be no surprise to those of you who know me, that when I am in the middle of a project (beading, scrapbooking, baking, party planning, etc.), I tend to obsess. Believe it or not, I have forgotten to eat dinner on nights that Brad is not home. I used to call it, "The Scrapbook Diet".

Back to the kitchen table I go (But I MAY have lunch first!)

The weekend has officially begun.

Brad will be home tonight, and we're having pasta with zucchini.

The clouds and humidity are gone.

The scrapbook is going well.

I get to read Harry Potter this weekend.

I got "SCHMOOZED"! (More on that soon!)

We saw this car on a walk in Montalcino. Have a great weekend!

Valerie, a Slow Travel friend I met in person two weeks ago in Italy, has bestowed me with the honor of a "Schmooze Award"! Valerie and her husband, Bryan moved from New Mexico to Ascoli Piceno, Italy in 2006. Her blog, 2 Baci in a Pinon Tree is a well-written journal of her new life in Le Marche.

Here is the definition of a "Schmoozer".

"This award goes to bloggers “who effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship.”

My "nominees" are the following:

1. Jerry, my friend, who is affectionately referred to as "my twin" has a great blog for recipes, rants, and other fascinating information. Every night is a dinner party in his kitchen! Jerry is coming to visit me in October, and we are looking forward to a week together in Montisi next May. Jerry's Rants, Musings and Recipes

2. Kathy, or "Teachick", another Slow Travel friend and I have whiled away many hours by my pool with wine, prosecco, tea and coffee. She loves yoga, travel, her cats, and of course, tea. She's a chick who is not afraid to say what's on her mind! Her new blog is definitely worth checking out! Persnickity Tutu

3. Sandi, a southern gal, is always cookin' up something good in her Alabama kitchen. Known as "Bugalu" on Slow Travel, she loves to cook, bead jewelry, and travel. I met Sandi and her husband (Brad's twin) in Brevard last April. She will be joining the group in Montisi next May, so there will be zuccherino in the kitchen at the villa! Whistlestop Cafe Cooking

4. Leslie is my Slow Travel friend from "down under". She teaches computing and third graders in Canberra, Australia. She loves to travel to Italy, play with her cats, and shares beautiful photos and stories of her journeys to bella Italia. Kaleidoscope

5. This Kathy is known as "Kaydee" on the Slow Travel boards. I met Kathy last fall when she flew to Palm Desert and was my "mystery guest" at a Slow Travel Get-Together. Kathy and her family have traveled extensively in Europe, but if you love France, here is a blog for you! She takes groups to the Luberon during the year, and is currently spending the summer with her family in France with fabulous photos of beautiful villages. She may even get me to take a "not Italy" trip someday! The Trail's Our Thing

If you’ve been schmoozed above, here’s what to do:

1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that have schmoozed you into submission.

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the award.

3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Power of Schmooze Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote.
* I'm working on this one...I'll post the award as soon as I get the link!

This morning at 8 a.m., Brad and I were having coffee by the pool when our gardner arrived and said there was a woman's purse on the side of the house near the gate where the garbage cans are.

It is true that I have WAY too many handbags, but I have not yet had to store them outside! We looked, and found this scene:

The contents included a SS card, but no wallet, money, or credit cards. There was some broken glass on the street a few houses away. We called the police.

A Palm Desert Police officer arrived promptly, and took a report. Within a half an hour, she called back saying the purse belonged to a guest of our neighbor. She had left it in her car. Someone had broken in to her car, stolen the purse, taken what was of value, and tossed the remains...into our yard. The owner was glad to get her purse, SS card, and photos back!

Crime in suburbia! So much for the "safe gated community".

Most movie critics were not impressed.

Melissa Anderson of Time Out NY slams Catherine Zeta-Jones:

"in this fatally bland star vehicle, CZJ is piquant no more. Based on Mostly Martha, the 2001 German diversion, No Reservations has Welsh Spice playing control freak, awkward maternal figure, insecure suitor—and queen bee in the kitchen of a Bleecker Street bistro. Chef’s whites are not this extravagant diva’s color. Nothing in No Reservations (directed by Shine’s Scott Hicks and written by first-timer Carol Fuchs) allows the actor to bare her fangs à la Joan Crawford as the pie-baking Mildred Pierce. In fact, nothing that comes out of the actor’s mouth sounds even passably like authentic speech. Worse, CZJ and slab of meat Aaron Eckhart exhibit no chemistry (only Little Miss Sunshine registers as a plausible sentient being). But there’s hope: CZJ has been busy lately dismissing rumors that she washes her hair with caviar. If she wanted to save her career, she’d keep mum."

Victoria ALexander of FILMSINREVIEW.com calls it "inconsequential and predictable".

Lou Lumenick of the Washington Post calls it "a soufflé of a romantic and family comedy that stubbornly refuses to rise."

Yet, I thought this was a PERFECT PALMA MOVIE!

Take a sweet love story between two chefs, (who happen to be gorgeous), lots of photography of upscale food, add a cute (and sometimes annoying) precocious child, foodie conversations throughout, and throw in a therapist for good measure. These were the indregients for a delightful, if somewhat predictable, "feel good movie". I thought it was great to see Catherine without makeup, low-cut dresses and bare thighs. I'd like to see a lot more of Aaron Eckhart.

Brad and I enjoyed the movie. It won't win an Oscar, but it was cute and entertaining. We found the "secret" to "Kate's" signature saffron sauce. My favorite part was when perfectionistic "Chef Kate", brought a complete meal to her therapist's appointment. Wonder if any of my clients saw it?

For more reviews, click here.

Actually, I did it my mom's way.

I have learned a lot about eggplant parmiggiano this week on the Slow Talk Food Message Board (for Premium Members only). There has been an informative and passionate discussion going on (also known as the Great ST Eggplant War).
It inspired me to make eggplant parmiggiano for dinner.

Slice two large eggplant (10 to 12 slices each). Wash and sprinkle with salt. Let drain in a colandar for 30 min. Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet. Dry eggplant slices thoroughly patting with paper towels. (My mom used to lay them out on the patio table to dry in the sun.)

Dredge eggplant slices in flour, dip in egg, then coat in breadcrumbs. Fry coated eggplant slices quickly in hot oil.

Drain on two layers of brown grocery bags.

I used a quart of sauce I had in the freezer. Put a thin coating of sauce in bottom of baking pan. Layer fried eggplant slices with sliced fresh mozarella, sauce, grated parmignano, chopped fresh basil. Repeat. (I made one for dinner, and one to freeze.)

Bake at 350 for 40 min. That's my pretty new baking dish from Orvieto!

I grew up in an "Italian village"...in California.

Let me explain. My mom was the youngest girl of ten siblings, five sisters, and five brothers. The older siblings were all born in Italy. Mom was born in New York. All five sisters moved to California in the 1940s. They came out to visit a friend for a vacation, and one by one settled in Fresno, California. This is in the middle of the agricultural San Joaquin Valley, where much of the nations' fresh produce, especially fruit and nuts come from. It looks A LOT like Puglia, where my grandparents were from. I can see why they felt at home. The sisters bought houses very close together. My mom, dad and I lived a few miles away. There was a twenty year age difference between she and her oldest sister, Aunt Antoinette. So when I was born, my mom's first (and only) child, when she was almost 45, it was quite a novalty to have a baby in the family. All these aunts and uncles were grandparent age. My first cousins were grown and married. Some of them had children my age. For the next 20 years, I was called, "the baby".

Food was SO important. Every Sunday, we went to Aunt Annie and Uncle Natale's house for pranzo. Her back yard was across the alley from Aunt Antoinette and Uncle Leo's. Across the street was Aunt Mary. Close by was Aunt Jenny (Giovanna) and Uncle Alberto (my Godfather). We lived the farthest away (10 minutes by car). The neighbors were often part of the "extended family" and also sources of food. Next door was the baker/pastry chef from Naples who kept us all in cannoli and sfogliatella. Martha and Nick across the alley had a garden full of tomatoes and zucchini. The aunts had the fruit trees divided up. When Aunt Annie's apricots and peaches were ripe, they canned jars for the winter. When the plums were ready, we all made jam. When Aunt Jenny's almonds were ready, we all went there to pick and shell nuts, and eat dinner.
Mom grew basil, lemons and asparagas.

Uncle Albert had close friends who owned a pasta factory. They kept us in dry pasta.
10-pound boxes of various size and shape noodles and macaroni would show up, and be divided. Uncle Nat was Godfather to a local winery owner. He brought cases for all. I could go on and on. Someone grew melons, someone else oranges, figs were plentyful during the summer months, first green, then black Mission.

The sisters were all great cooks, but each had their specialty. Mom was the baker of delicious pastry and coffeecakes. Aunt Annie made cavatelli (like orchetti) by hand (by the hundreds) with a quick flick of her arthritic fingers. Aunt Jenny had a sweet tooth and made desserts. Aunt Mary was lasagna queen. Each of them thought they made the best sauce. Every Sunday, Aunt Annie would ask, "Isn't this the BEST sauce I ever made?" We were afraid to disagree! I liked Mom's meatballs best, and her rich pork and beef ragu. She made the best cutlets, and fried calamari, and carbonara.

Mom (the only one who married a non-Italian) introduced the concepts of more "American" food, so they came to our house for prime rib and mashed potatoes, or stuffed pork roasts. Everyone talked about food ALL the TIME. They were either cooking, eating, planning the next meal, or talking about what they had just eaten or were going to eat. Every morning that they weren't planning a family meal together, they would call and ask,"What are you making today?" The inevitable next line would be, "That sounds good, and I'll bring some______".

"The aunts", as I called them were kind of poor. They had small houses, older appliences, and had to really watch their money. None of them, (including Mom) had more than an 8th grade education. They worked in the garment district of NYC making assembly line clothing until they married. Aunt Mary hand-beaded wedding gowns for Dior before coming to California. None of them drove, or were ever on an airplane. But they had everything they needed. They were content, and spoiled me with love, attention, and beautiful baby clothes! They looked just like the ladies I see in their windows in Italy, with their housedress and apron, or in their Sunday best in a church pew with their rosary beads.

I remember summer nights the best. Since I was out of school, and both my parents, and ALL the aunts and uncles were retired, we could get together more frequently.
ALL the aunts and we had a "summer kitchen". This was either a separate building, or a remodel of part of the garage. It was used for canning, frying, anything messy, cooking the Thanksgiving turkey to free up the oven in the house for other things, and summer eating. It had air conditioning, all appliances, and a huge table for parties and regular meals.

After dinner, the women usually sat together outside, and the men went to the vine covered terrace to play cards ("Scopa", or "Sweep" in English). I would translate or signal my dad when my uncles started cheating in Italian. Then I'd go back to the women to see if it was time for fruit or cookies. There were ALWAYS taralle with anise seeds. There were ALWAYS biscotti. We hung out. Friends and neighbors walked over. We never watched TV on those nights. It was neighborhood passagiata! Sometimes the "party" moved to another yard of a friend or neighbor. More food!

My family referred to US as "the Italians". EVERYONE ELSE (regardless of ethnicity) were called "the Americans". (This included my father.) I was adamant about being one of the Italians. They would tease me about my Germanic coloring. I would scream, "I'm Italian!" They would laugh, encourage me, and then say, "Yes, you are 100% Italian". My father would roll his eyes and go listen to the Giants play baseball on the radio.

At school I had prosciutto or soprassata and cheese sandwiches. I had fritattas. I had zucchini and eggs, or pizza rustica. I saw bologna for the first time in college, and asked what was wrong with the mortatella?

We celebrated birthdays, feast days (Palm Sunday was mine), and holidays. Of course everyone cooked extra, in case someone stopped by. People stopped by all the time. Having "company" was the norm. I learned from my mother to always have "a few quarts of sauce with meat, a dessert or two, and enough other side dishes that you could throw together a dinner or two on a moment's notice if someone drops in".
My mom spoke Italian (or at least their Barese dialect) when speaking to her sisters.
They spoke English when my dad was at the table, so he would not be left out. They even switched to a Naples dialect when the neighbor was there to make her feel at home. They switched to "proper Italian" when another northern Italian friend was present (I don't think they ever mastered Piemontese).

My point of all this rambling is that THIS was my experience growing up in California.
Every time I arrive in Italy, I feel like I have come home.

This is the hard part to write about (talk about, think about).
(If you didn't already read "Missing Italy Part 1: Some Background", please start there.)

For 35 years, I guess I have been trying in different ways to recreate this "Big happy Italian family". Though I was not blessed with biological children, a HUGE sadness in my life, I have always been drawn to big noisy families. My substitute has been friends, dinners, and parties.

In many ways, I have become my mother! Mom loved to cook and entertain. She planned, she poured over cookbooks. She baked. She "over did it". She had lots of dishes! She had two freezers, and two refrigerators. She bought in large quantities BEFORE there was Costco.

When Mom died, I used her stash of paper towels, tin foil, plastic wrap and waxed paper for FIVE YEARS before I had to buy any. I gave away at least 20 boxes of band-aids and dozens of new toothbrushes.

I have life-long friends (sorority sisters) who are in some ways like an extended family. Though we do not see each other often, we connect by phone and email. We visit a couple times a year.

My "Italian sister", Ida, and I talk daily, often sharing recipes, pouring over menus for dinner, holidays, and entertaining. This was how we first bonded on the beach in Maui 15 years ago. Jerry and I, and many on the ST food boards do this through sharing recipes there or on our blogs.

My therapist friends and I connect over other similarities and professional respect.

My REAL cousin, Palma, in New York, and I share food stories, and memories of our parents, aunts and uncles during our monthly phone chats.

I have appetizers and sauce in the freezer, desserts and side dishes ready "in case", but no one has EVER stopped by and stayed for dinner (OK, I can think of ONE TIME!). My desert friends rarely cook, and eat out much of the time. Don't get me wrong. I value our privacy and have boundaries, but would like more spontaneous getting together. Last minute invitations are fun. Brad and I continue to seek connection with those whose priorities are NOT just money, things, and competition. We have made a few close friends in the desert. We love those we have met who are REAL, honest, vulnerable, and non-judgmental. We miss them as they are away half the year.

In my hapy, naive world, sharing what you have with your friend is better than trying to have more than your friend. Friends don't play "tit for tat" or "keep score" on kindness. If I invite someone for dinner, it is not a contest, and they don't OWE me anything.

In many ways we have found a sense of community on Slow Travel. Through this community of travelers, we have met so many great people. This is a wonderful "Italy Connection" of people who either live there, or have traveled there and love it as we do.

After three years in our new home and community, after hosting parties, inviting neighbors for drinks, dinner, etc., I have been invited into three homes (two included Brad). In our recent three-week trip to Italy, we were invited to share meals or come over by six families of people we had never met before. THIS is the connection I don't find at home.

SO, yes, we joke about missing the pasta and gelato in Italy. We miss the stunning scenery, the piazzas, the passagiata, the pace, the three-hour meals with wine. We miss the countryside, the hilltowns, the magnificant cities, the art, music and architecture. All those things I can wait for. It is exciting to look forward to them on our next visit.

But, DAILY, I miss the connections, the relationships, the sharing, the kindness, the "Buon Giornos", the smiles to a stranger, the children playing safely while "the village" watches out for them. I miss the generosity. I miss having those who "get it" that this is NORMAL, not an exception. Daily I try to create those kinds of connections in my life at home. I will die trying. In the meantime, I will cook Italian, use the ST chatroom and GTGs as my piazza and passagiata, and continue to visit Italy once or twice a year.

I dream of and long for the hospitality, warmth and comfort of Italy.

If you're in the neighborhood (or want to visit), call first, then if we're home, come by.
There will be new sauce in the freezer.

You know how kids and some adults love junky stuff with their names on it? Souvineer shops sell all kinds of mugs, notepads, magnets, holiday ornaments, bracelets, etc. with common names?

I NEVER see my name on anything. Except in Italy!

Yes, Palma is my REAL name. I get asked this a lot. It has nothing to do with living in Palm Desert. I did not make it up. My maternal grandmother was "Palmina" (little Palma). I have two first cousins named Palma or a derivitive. One goes by Polly, the other, is sometimes Pam at work, Palma in the family.

In Italy, my name pops up... on signs, funeral notices, doors.

This attorney is in Montalcino:

In Montefalco, we found a notice of this Palma's burial service:

Diva sent me a photo of this door in Torino:

Now, about how I came to live on Via Venezia...

It was 108 degrees yesterday, and after some pool time, I had an uncontrollable urge to bake. This requires turning on the oven in my otherwise cool and air-conditioned kitchen! I wanted to make something that at least SOUNDED cool and refreshing.

My friend Jerry, has been sipping rum in the Slow Travel chat room. It sounded good. I recently discovered a wonderful blog called Cream Puffs in Venice. Ivonna, or "Cream Puff", lives in Toronto, Canada, loves to bake, and has fabulous recipes to share. That is where I found these Mojito cupcakes! Just scroll down this category to find the recipe.

These start with a wonderful buttermilk cake recipe that is flavored with dark rum. Then they are infused with a butter, rum, lime zest and mint glaze. Finally, they are topped with a cream cheese butter cream frosting FULL of lime zest. "Cream Puff"
made mini cupcakes. I used regular muffin tins, and the recipe made 28 cupcakes.

Brad tells me they're great. I'm being GOOD, so I have not tasted one (although I did taste the frosting)! I will bring them to work on Monday.

Thanks, Cream Puff! These are keepers!

Jerry, THIS ONE is for you! (Don't worry, I froze some for you!)

I love peaches. I have been thinking about a peach dessert since I got the August Cucina Italiana. They had a beautifully presented "Meringata with Peaches in Syrup" that was my inspiration for this recipe. Mine looks a lot like this, but the bottom and middle layers are completely different.

For the cake (bottom) layer, I used a butter recipe yellow cake mix, substituting peach juice for the water, and baked it according to package directions, using two 9" springform pans. (I froze one layer for another time.) After cooling the cake for 5 minutes, I poked holes, and infused it with some Amaretto.

Next, I made a peach mousse layer:

Add one cup of boiling water to a 3 oz. package of peach jello (I used half od a 6 oz package).

In a blender or food processor, blend 3 fresh, sliced, peeled peaches with 2 T. honey and 1 T. almond extract. Add to hot jello. Chill for 1 1/2 hours.

Whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream (may substitute Cool Whip here). Beat chilled peach puree-gelatin mixture on high speed for 4-5 minutes. Fold in whipped cream. Chill for 1 hour. (At this point, you may spoon into glasses for a light, refreshing dessert all by itself.)

After mousse has chilled for an hour, carefully spread over cake layer. Chill again before decorating with fruit.

Peaches in syrup:
The recipe says to combine 3 cups of water with 1 1/4 cup sugar, and boil whole peaches for 3 minutes. I used 4 cups of water (to cover them in my pan), and reduced sugar to 1 cup. If I made this again, I would only boil the peaches for 2 minutes.
Cool, drain, remove pit, and slice into thirds.

Garnish top of cake with peaches, berries, meringues (I bought mine at Trader Joe's), or dollops of whipped cream, mint leaves, and powdered sugar.

We had a nice relaxing weekend and I got the baking out of my system for a while. We ran errands, had pool time, and enjoyed seeing the Bourne Ultimatum. On Sunday, after a trip to Costco and a nap, I was back in "a cookin' mood". I bought two luscious veal chops, and prepared them with what I had in the kitchen, or the garden.

Palma's Stuffed Veal Chops:

Marinate the chops for 2 hours in:

8 sage leaves (chopped)
2 sprigs of rosemary
a splash of balsamico
enough Evoo to coat in a ziplock bag
sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Cut a pocket in each veal chop. Sear each chop for 1 1/2 minute per side on the BBQ.

In a small pan combine:
1 c. chicken broth mixed with 1 T. veal demi glace, 4 sage leaves, and 1 rosemary sprig. Bring to a boil and reduce by half.

Stuff each pocket with two small slices of fontina (2"x1"), and three sage leaves. Secure pockets with toothpicks.

In a skillet with 1 T. butter and 1 T. olive oil, cook chops for 4 minutes on one side, then add reduction. Turn over and cook and additional 4 minutes (for medium on thick chops).

Delicious!

Company for dinner? Want an easy, foolproof, dessert that most will LOVE? This is my standby summer fruit tart.

My delightful Godson, Casey and his girlfriend, Sarah, are visiting! We have been relaxing in the pool, sipping cocktails, and eating well.

Dessert was the hit of last night's dinner, though everything else was also enjoyed.
With each bite, Sarah would smile and say, "I'm SO happy right now!" Casey and Sarah decided to "be happy" again with fruit tart for BREAKFAST this morning!

Our patio dinner included chicken Saltimbocca, zucchini, risotto and watermelon salad.

Here is the tart recipe:

Crust:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened and sliced

Filling: 
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 
1/2 cup granulated sugar 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping: 
Fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or whatever fruit is in season.

Glaze: 
1/2 can frozen limeade concentrate 
1 T cornstarch 
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 
2-3 T granulated sugar

(Enough glaze for one 12" tart)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
For the crust: In a food processor, combine the confectioners' sugar, flour, and butter, and process until the mixture forms a ball. With your fingers, press the dough into a 12-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, taking care to push the crust into the indentations in the sides. Pat until the crust is even. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until very lightly browned. Set aside to cool.

Cut fruit and arrange attractively on top of tart.

For the glaze: Combine the limeade, cornstarch, lime juice, and sugar in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until clear and thick, about 2 minutes. Let cool. With a pastry brush, glaze the entire tart. You will not use all of the glaze.
Keep the tart in the refrigerator. Remove about 10 minutes before serving.

My Godson, Casey, came for a visit, and brought his girlfriend, Sarah, for us to meet. Sarah and I bonded instantly, finding we had much in common: enjoying food and shopping (among many other things)! We spent two days and evenings talking and laughing in the pool, eating and drinking well, and sharing family stories.

Sarah was interested in learning to make "real" Italian meat sauce. I was happy to teach my methods! We had a large pot of sauce simmering (ragu of pork shoulder meat), and I made a simple ricotta filling for some packaged manicotti. Casey and Sarah stuffed the manicotti, and helped make dinner. They also did all the kitchen clean-up both nights of their visit! It worked for me! We had salad with balsamic dressing, mozzarella balls wrapped in prosciutto, and cherry tomatoes with shaved parmesan, and the pork meat from the sauce. We drank the Barolo that Casey and Sarah brought, and the kids polished off last night's fruit tart for dessert!
It was a lovely two-day visit that was quite a treat for THIS happy Godmother!

Yesterday I received a wonderful surprise in the mail. Deborah, a Slow Travel friend, was inspired to send me two books! She had a book signing in her bookstore, and thought of me after reading my blog entry on "Missing Italy". Deborah, herself an accomplished cook and baker, sent me an autographed copy of Rosalie Fiorino Harpole's Rosalie Serving Italian! Besides the wonderful recipes, Rosalie shares stories of growing up in her large Italian family. Many of the recipes are very close to all the tastes and flavors I grew up with. This is a perfect addition to my Italian cookbook collection! (I'll tell about the second book in another blog post.)Thank you Deborah!

Here is the first recipe I made from the book: Frittata

Frittata

2 T. olive oil
1 T. butter
1 large potato, or 4 red potatoes, unpeeled and sliced thin
1 small onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 t. sea salt
1/4 t. ground black pepper

6 eggs beaten
2 T. half and half
1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella
1 T. fresh chopped parsley
3-4 basil leaves, shredded (optional)

freshly grated parmesan to garnish
parsley or basil to garnish
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Put oil and butter in 10" oven-proof skillet.
Saute the potatoes, onion and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Fry over medium heat until potatoes are tender, 8-10 minutes.

Beat eggs with half and half until fluffy. Fold in cheeses and parsley. Pour egg mixture over potatoes and cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes, until eggs begin to set and bubble, but are still runny on top. Add basil if desired. Place skillet in oven for 8-10 minutes. Remove skillet and transfer frittata onto a large round serving plate. The frittata should easily slide out of pan. Garnish with parmesan, parsley or basil, salt and pepper. Cut into pie slices. Serves 6.

* Notes:
This was a lovely memory of my mom's frittatas. The scent of cooked eggs with potatoes, onions, and Romano cheese, brought me back about 45 years! While other kids had PB&J sandwiches, I had frittatas in my lunchpail.

*I added a few slices of salami, at Brad's request, and used fontina cheese instead of mozarella. We ate the WHOLE THING for dinner!

No, not for Brad and I. THAT Anniversary is in September. But just two years ago, today, I became a member of the Slow Travel family! I can't believe it has only been two years since I started reading travel information about Italy, trip reports, and posting questions and comments on the Slow Talk message boards. At first, it was just a great source of information. Soon, I developed relationships with members, made friends, and found myself an actively participating member of the community, and THAT was the first six months. We took a pasta class from Diva and attended out first GTG in Sonoma in March, 2007. That was the beginning!

Fast forward to the present. Brad and I have both formed deep and growing friendships. We have attended many Slow Travel GTGs and hosted one last fall. Our social life, like a magnet to a compass, has been pointing more and more toward our ST friends. In 2007, I met Beth in Las Vegas for a quiet cup of coffee, kicked off the year with the fabulous "Slow Bowl" in Paso Robles, dinner at Mozza in Los Angeles, and dinner in Pasadena when Jerry was in town. We had an evening in La Quinta with Carole and friends. We flew across the country in April to attend the Brevard, NC get-together. Sheena and her daughters also visited us in the desert in April. In June, we had dinner with Nancy and Bill in the desert. WOW! I have not made it to a Bay Area event yet this year. That must change!

This summer we met an amazing number of friends in Italy: first Sheri and Joe in Florence; Gloria and Marcel in Pisa; and old friends, Ida and Bill in Montalcino. We spent days with Barb and Art, and Judith in Umbria. We were able to visit Jane, Ken and Casey twice and THEN, we saw everyone again at the big get-together in Umbria! We met Mary T., Corrina, Janet, Valerie, Karen, KimC and Kevin, Mary Jane, Ann, Janet, Rebecca, Letezia and Giulia! We visited with "old buddies", Pauline and Steve, and Marcia and Dave.

This weekend, we are off to San Diego for "Pinot and Ponies" with Shannon and the gang, and a "Missing Italy" dinner with Jane and her family. We'll be home four days before trotting up to Vancouver to meet the Pacific Nortwest group for a foodie market and scavenger hunt to make dinner together. A whole new group of playmates!

It is starting to look as though Slow Travel has had a MAJOR impact on our life. You think? We are looking forward to the "Second Annual Desert GTG" in October, and our next TWO Italy trips in 2008 will be spent with friends we met as a result of the group. In May we will be in Montisi with Gail, John, Jerry, Sandi, and company, and in the fall we will return to Piemonte for a week with Diana, Micha and Max!

I have spent many hours working with my wonderful co-committee members, Sheena, Kathy, Terry, Jan, and Leslie E. planning the "Great Slow Travel Gathering 2008" in Savannah next spring. THAT will be an amazing event!

I look forward to weekly chats, try to attend the Concentric Reading Circle when possibe, and then there is THIS BLOG! My how my life has changed!

Those we have met and bonded with have been so genuine, fun, and share the joy and fulfillment that come with exploring the world. We are of all ages and interests, have different travel styles and budgets. We certainly PACK from one extreme to another! None of that matters. We seem to love food, wine, and our trips, whether they be European adventures or weekend get-aways. You can't keep us home for long!

So to all Slow Travelers, I raise my glass. May we continue to travel, meet, nurture our friendships, and enjoy sharing our stories. I hope to see YOU soon!

Friday we leave for San Diego for a Slow Travel weekend. On Friday evening, we are looking forward to dinner with Jane and Ken. On Saturday, we will pick up Shannon, and meet Marcia and Dave, Cheryl and friends at Del Mar Racetrack. Saturday night we will meet up with Krista, Steve, and anyone else who can make it to The Vine for dinner. Hence the name of the event, "Pinot and Ponies", (even thought the ponies will come first).

At Shannon's request, I baked a savory torta, that my mom called "Pizza Rustica". This is a hearty dish full of eggs, ricotta, salami, prosciutto, ham, mozarella and pecorino!
In my family it was a holiday dish, traditionally made at Easter. Here is the recipe:

Dough

3 c. flour
1 stick unsalted butter
¼ c. olive oil
2 T. sugar
pinch of salt

Crust:
Combine flour, sugar, salt. Cream butter and blend with dry ingredients.
Stir in oil. Add 1/3-1/2 c. ICE WATER (1T. at a time ) until dough is consistency of pie crust. Knead, chill wrapped in plastic for 30 min. Roll 2/3 of the dough into a circle and place inside a 10” springform pan leaving an inch of overhang. Chill shell and the other half of the dough.

*I actually cut an 11" circle and press it into the bottom of the springform pan. Then I cut long strips to go around the inside edges of the pan, pressing them to fit like this:

Filling

2 lb. ricotta
9 eggs, beaten
½ lb. procsuitto (chopped)
½ lb. ham (chopped)
½ lb. salami or soprosatta (chopped)
1 ½ lb. grated mozzarella
6 oz. grated Pecorino Romano
½ t. pepper

Filling
In a LARGE bowl, combine eggs and ricotta. Stir in meats, cheeses and pepoper. Spoon into shell. Roll remaining dough to top and pinch edges. (I usually make a lattice top, or for Christmas, I cut out holly or tree shapes and overlap them on top in a design) Brush top with egg wash. (one egg yolk and 1 t. water). Bake at 350 1hr. 15 minutes. May be served warm or at room temp.

Here is what it will look like after an egg wash. I did no top crust this time.

Can you read my dough letters? Look closely!

Friday, we arrived in San Diego a bit before Brad's business meeting. I dropped him off at the appointed place, and had two hours to spend before picking him up. Oh darn, there was a Nordstrom down the street! I have not shopped since Italy, so I did a quick buzz through the store. I emerged in 40 minutes with a top, a jacket and two pair of shoes. I stopped for a quick lunch, and by then, Brad was done. We had time to check in to our hotel, pick up some pastries in Little Italy, and relax before our date with Jane and Ken.

We arrived at Jane and Ken's lovely home, and began with appetizers on the patio on their gorgeous new tabletop from Florence! We enjoyed prosecco, gorgonzola-cranberry torta, mushrooms, and proscuitto. Then Jane and Ken politely looked at ALL of our Italy photos!

We had dinner at Acqua Al 2 in San Diego, and began with pasta, pasta, pasta! Jane and I shared a pasta sampler: 5 small plates of pastas in different sauces: fusili in a spinach-pecorino sauce, penne vodka, bow ties in a zucchini-garlic sauce, rigatoni in eggplant sauce, and finally a hearty ragu.

Dinner was unrushed, and there was a slide slow of Florence scenes on the wall of the restaurant. We enjoyed our young Sicilian waiter, Danieli, who was fluent in Italian. We tried helping him win a trip to Firenze by writing a great review for his boss. He was most attentive and charming.

For our secondi, I had a delicious filetto in balsamico reduction, Brad had a New York steak in green peppercorn-brandy sauce, Jane had a veal chop with mushrooms, and Ken had tagliatta with arugula. Of course, we enjoyed a couple bottles of vino!

We returned to Jane's for dessert. We brought an assortment of Italian pastries from Zuchero: sfogliatelli, cannoli, tiramisu, and chocolate tortas. We didn't make much of a dent, but tasted several!

It was a long, and delightful evening of conversation, food and wine! Though, we met Jane, Ken and Casey in Italy, I'm sure we will get to visit more often in California!

Saturday, we picked up Shannon in Ocean Beach and headed to the Del Mar Racetrack where we met Sue, Marcia and David. Marcia and Dave's friend, Vladimir, a horse trainer, generously gave us seats in his box. Cheryl and friends, Arlene and Cecelia, joined us a little later. We had our own little feast going on! I brought the pizza rustica, Shannon packed fabulous sandwiches of cambazola and fresh figs on fig bread (and some healthy tomato, cucumber, humus, sprout things I didn't even consider). We had fruit, wine, water, and finished off the afternoon with Marcia's Kahlua brownies! YUM!

We enjoyed betting, winning and losing our money, and chatting between races.It was a fun way to spend the afternoon, and Del Mar's racetrack is a beautiful venue.

We met again for dinner at The Vine. Krista and Steve joined the group, as well as new Slow Travelers, Susan and Robert. The wine flowed all evening, and we shared numerous appetizers including the now famous "Shannon's Super Sexy Pate", bruschetta with carmalized onions, tomatoes and basil, and a queso fondito with melted cheeses, olives, raisins and corn relish.

It was exciting to celebrate Shannon's new ownership in this fun restaurant with a welcoming open space, outdoor dining, and bar with a great wine list. The menu is attractive, varied, and very affordable for quality food.

Everyone enjoyed their entrees, and my pork chop was delicious! We shared a couple of desserts, I had two cups of GREAT coffee, and true to Slow Travelers's style, we chattered all evening, and closed The Vine.