Move to Italy?

Photo courtesy of homeaway.com

At least for the summer.  I've been spending way too much time on homeaway.com and homeexchange.com - two websites that I frequently troll to find my perfect Florence apartment rental or a house to swap in Sicily.  Deals seem to abound last minute and in the winter.  If only the airfares weren't so high. 

A Florence apt. that is a 20-minute walk from the duomo for 200 euro a week that sleeps seven.  That's some cheap living.  Or swap our Socal house for this centrally located Catania pad.

I can dream.

Neopolitan Potato Gatto

The second dish that we tried out of The Italian Country Table - Potato Gatto - was a hit.  Mashed potatoes layered with parmigiano and fresh mozzarella cheeses, onions, peas, and salami.  All topped with garlic breadcrumbs.  Savory, comforting, addictive.

Bialetti Espresso Maker

My husband wanted an espresso machine for Christmas.  I was utterly mystified by the number available - from Mr. Coffee's version to vintage Gaggias.  I read all the reviews.

Pod or no pod? Coffee/espresso combo? Was a milk frother important?  I had no idea other than feeling that it had to be Italian-made.

Before I spent the big bucks on a machine, I decided to spend under $30 on a stove-top Bialetti.   It's made in Italy, looks retro and sleek, and has a cute mascot on the front.  Plus, you can get it at Target.

What a great cup of espresso!  Dark, rich, and fast.  The unit is fairly easy to clean, doesn't take up space on your counter, and looks cool enough to leave on your stove top.

So, if you are interested in dipping your toe into the world of espresso, this is a cheap and satisfying way to go.

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

My favorite Christmas song of all time is "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire."  When I lived in New York,  I loved getting roasted chestnuts on the street corners.  So, when I saw that Trader's Joes had whole Italian chestnuts to roast yourself, I was excited.  The little buggers are slippery, making it difficult to cut an "X" into the flat side - and a few had no flat sides.  Of the whole lot, about seventy-five percent had already gone bad - it is a rather soft nut seemingly prone to mold.  So, after roasting, we only culled about 10 good nuts.  They popped open, cream colored and wrinkly, but tasty.  Santa approved as an accompaniment to frosted sugar cookies on Christmas Eve.  Buon Natale!

Floods in Liguria 2: Vernazza Relief Effort

Vernazza, from the high trail to Monterosso, April, 2011

For those of you who want your donation to stay in Vernazza, rather than go to the general Liguria and Tuscany flood emergency, please check out Save Vernazza.  This is the Italian version of a nonprofit, started by American women expats whose adopted home is Vernazza.

Floods in Liguria

Vernazza flooding (Photo credit Laspezia.menticale.it)

The floods in Liguria, and more specifically, the Cinque Terre, are not getting the press that Turkey's earthquake or Bangkok's floods are receiving, but they have devastated the region.  The towns worst hit are the lovely Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare.  To help the people rebuild in Vernazza and Monterosso, here is a bank account set up for relief donations. 

And, here is a link to give via credit card through the Italian Red Cross.  You can choose "Tuscany and Liguria Emergency."

Italophilia O.C.D. things to do after returning from your Italian holiday

1. Force your children to listen only to Strega Nona books at bedtime
2. Change your Travelocity Farewatcher to monitor airfares only to Italy
3. Wear lots of leather and scarves
4. Attempt to smuggle in non FDA-approved cured meats
5. Call your cul-de-sac a piazza
6. Harass the wine guy at Trader Joe’s with obscure requests
7. Try to talk Nutella into hiring you as the West Coast sales rep
8. Turn your mid century modern ranch into a Tuscan villa
9. Buy a Fiat 500 for your family of 6
10. Start saying rocket instead of arugula