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The Everyday Gourmet
Travel Newsletter:
April, 2003
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CARNIVAL!
Great fun for Grownups
We had an
absolutely AMAZING time at Carnival this year - I
think it gets better
all the time. We were resplendent in our costumes throughout the week.
Several of us are already planning costumes for a return next year. (See
more photos!)
Beginning
with our Welcome dinner at Antico Martini, the gondola/dinner party in
costume, Grand Ballo Tiepolo, to the BEST GRAND FINALE EVER it was a
thoroughly wonderful time.
A
great group of people who really knew how to have a good time. The
Opening Parade was its usual visual treat with magnificent costumes
everywhere. We all agreed the Flight of the Dove was best seen from an
upper balcony, but the costume Brunch at the 4star Hotel Danieli was
excellent. We looked quite regal in our costumes.
We changed
from costumes that evening to enjoy the fireworks display over the
lagoon, followed by a fabulous dinner at a "working class" restaurant
with yet another congenial host.
At our first
Costumed Dinner we had another chance t
o show o
ff
our finery, while we danced the minuet and other old traditional dances.
Our new
cooking teacher, Roberta, is GREAT! Funny and talented. Her classes
were outstanding. It didn't hurt that we were in the elegant apartment
of her assistant, Mariagrazia, in an old palazzo on the Grand Canal.
Especially nice was that the kitchen is completely modern and roomy
enough for participation -- a real bonus.
Weather was
glorious the day we went to Murano. While it's famous for all the
glassblowing (we did some serious damage at the shops), it will forever
be remembered as the location where we had one of the best meals of the
trip, We sat in the sun and enjoyed the dishes our genial giant of a
host (Lele) had brought to the table - it was a feast for all the
senses; multiple courses washed down with bottles of Prosecco - wow! We
were treated like honored guests - thanks in large part to the fact that
my friend, Fulvia, had called ahead and told him we were coming. Always
nice to have friends who take good care of you.
At the Grand
Opening Ball in Palazzo Tiepolo we danced the night away. Can't tell
you how amazing it is to watch women in elegant gowns (think southern
antebellum with hoops) dancing the macarina! Downstairs was all strobe
lights and pulsating music, upstairs was a refined minuet with a string
ensemble - the choice was yours.
Artisan tours
were again terrific. Alberto amazed us with his antique papermaking
technique that you have to see to believe. A visit to the best Venetian
chocolatier and Carnival treat-maker was enjoyable and indulgent! We
loved the little chocolate masks they made for us.
Leslie, the
glass jewelry designer was a great addition: an American who designs
jewlery made from Murano beads. All one of a kind pieces. Once again,
we made serious inroads into her stock.
Little did we
know that the BEST was yet to come. Roberta and Mariagrazia had
arranged what was, without a doubt, the GRANDEST FINALE EVER! From the
cooking class featuring rolled stuffed duck, to the Carnival decorations
festooning the rooms, it was positively elegant. Then, came the
entertainment! A quartet in antique costumes serenaded us with ancient
Italian, French and English songs. Next was the mime - who wisely chose
Joseph to join her; our laughter filled the room. Finally came the
marvelous guitar playing gentleman from Napoli who lead us all in a
series of songs. We felt as though we were spending an evening with
good friends, not just visiting. They all had their families there - we
were a group of 20+ people all singing in several languages; it just
doesn't get any better than that!
Don't miss
out on next year's fun - make plans now!
Click here for more Carnival Photos: carnival03photos.htm
ROME (Oct.
19-26, 2003)
You'd
think after that very full time at Carnival I'd be too exhausted to go
any further; not so! The day after we finished, Roberta and I piled
into her car and drove to Rome.
First,
however, we stopped at her newest school just outside Arezzo. There
"Mama" cooked us a genuine Tuscan meal that I almost inhaled. After a
week of fish in Ve
nice I was ready for some MEAT! Well, we had it in
spades at our lunch. Mama was busy grilling the meats on a metal grill
set in the fireplace - smelled heavenly. Papardelle with meat ragu was
our first course, then came 4 kinds of meats, accompanied by
fresh-picked salad; I ATE IT ALL! Of course, all washed down with a
great Tuscan red.
Believe
it or not, after that magnificent meal we got back in the car and drove
to the outskirts of Rome and the next home cooking school (all of
Roberta's classes are done in local homes for authenticity). We were
just in time to view a beautiful sunset over the city, plan the menu
(scrumptious) for the fall trip AND eat another
meal! One of my
favorite parts of the visit (after the food) was the affectionate little
kitty that Carla, our host, allowed me to play with.
The next day
I headed to Rome via metro and checked into the gorgeous villa/ hotel
that will be home base. Would you believe my luck - I had arrived in
time for their Carnival Party, so I donned my best black costume and
mask and attended.
I
spent the next four days exploring: drivers, markets, restaurants,
producers; and I must tell you I'm really excited about this new
program, it is going to be fabulous. Found a special restaurant for our
Welcome Dinner that's built into the old Roman Wall with the original
wall intact; it's an amazing place. Plus the owner is genial,
knowledgeable, and speaks great English. In addition, the food reflects
the local traditions; what more could you ask?
Another major
discovery (just opened) was the Wine Academy of Rome, next to the
Spanish Steps. A magnificently restored building, where we'll do wine
tastings and dinners. Truly an amazing setting.
This is one
you definitely won't want to miss!
Chef
Roberta's Easy Tiramisu!
We were
especially thrilled with how easy and delicious this Tiramisu was. By
way of information, Tiramisu originated in Treviso, just outside
Venice.
The correct
ladyfingers are a most important factor. The recipe calls for crispy
packaged ladyfingers, found in specialty food stores or sections. They
are not the cakey ones found in freezer section; those will simply
disintegrate.
5 large eggs
500 grams mascarpone
5 Tbsp sugar
1 shot cognac or brandy
2 cups coffee, sweetened w/200 Grams sugar
30 crispy ladyfingers (not cake-like)
Cocoa powder
-
In a bowl
beat the egg yolks with 5 spoons of sugar 'til they become white and
thick.
-
Add
mascarpone and cognac and stir 'til smooth
-
Beat egg
whites 'til stiff in a separate bowl
-
Add stiff
whites to mascarpone mixture, stirring gently so mixture remains
fluffy
-
Quickly dip
ladyfingers into the coffee (both sides), make a layer with them in
serving dish
-
Spread half
cream mixture on ladyfingers
-
Repeat
layer of dipped ladyfingers
-
Top with
remaining cream mixture
-
Refrigerate
24 hours
-
Before
serving, spring cocoa over top
-
Cut into
individual portions and serve
Buon
Appetito!
3 Menus for
Rome Cooking Classes
All
traditional Roman dishes
Mozzarella in Carozza
Gnocchi all Romana (my very personal favorite)
Involtini w/meat sauce
Artichokes alla Romana
Ricotta Crostata
Bruschetta
w/tomatoes
Pasta alla Amatriciana
Roast Lamb with potatoes
Bigne' alla Crema
Parmigiana di
Melanzane (eggplant parmesan)
Ceci Pasta
Chicken alla Romana w/pepperoni
Lemon Cream Tart
Are you
hungry yet?
This ‘n
That
NEW
Home Base for Venice
To
be in a really good area, have lots of space without breaking
the bank
has been the goal for Venice and I think I've FINALLY found an
answer. A beautiful Palazzo, located on a canal, with 4 large,
meticulously restored apartments, all bedrooms with private bath. Easy
access to San Marco but in a quiet residential area. Close to public
transportation. Hosted by a real Contessa with impeccable English.
A
special attraction is that the apartments have sitting rooms &
kitchens, as well as bedrooms and baths. You can spread out and really
relax. Enjoy Venice like a Venetian. (More
photos)
When the
apartments are available, we'll stay there. If not, we'll be at a nearby
hotel. So for all of you that think I do nothing but enjoy myself, let
me assure you it has taken years of looking to find this! (Of course, I
do still have fun!)
Buon viaggio!
CIAO
Bev
