the boot

protein pancakes + wedding update

2013-05-21T03:05:00.000-04:00

Well, I’m officially done with work, the wedding is about a week away and my brain is literally in a constant state of movement. If you ever find yourself planning a wedding in Italy you might want to note that all your vendors will not be interested in your American punctuality and preparedness. No sir, they’ll all want to meet with you just ten days before the wedding to plan the whole thing basically. Which really messes with your American preparedness! So today we’re going to our reception venue to decide all the things that you lucky stateside brides probably would have taken care of months ago; the decor, the cake, the seating arrangements, logistics, etc. (And I can’t wait!!!)

So, do you want to know the thing that has gotten me through all these busy days? Protein pancakes. (I know, the health nut inside me reigns supreme as of late.) Have one at 8 a.m. and you’re full all the way to lunch. If you’re a person who works out moderately at least twice a week, you should get yourself some protein powder! It won’t build muscle, as most people think, but aid in muscle repair and help you recover faster. Plus, most women don’t get all the daily protein their body needs. (Calculate your protein needs here!) I usually have mine (Scitec 100% Whey Protein) within a half hour after a workout and every now and then during the week in a smoothie or a pancake.

Protein Pancakes

(based on this recipe, makes 1)

2 egg whites

1 scoop protein powder

1/2 mashed banana

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tbs almond (or soy) milk

Combine all the ingredients together and pour into a greased pan on medium low heat. Cook a few minutes until you see little bubbles in the pancake, then flip (be careful!) and serve with fresh fruit.

Are you a protein powder fan?

Ok, back to my stacks of to-do lists! Hope you're having a great week. :)

this weekend...

2013-05-17T02:02:00.000-04:00

This weekend while Manu and ten friends frolic in Bucharest (a surprisingly fun and cheap European capital) the girls are planning a big bachelorette party for me! It's a surprise, so all I know is that it's tomorrow. I haven't heard from them at all this week because they're afraid to let anything slip in conversation!

[chiccetta, me, valentina, barbara, alessandra]

As you can see, they're crazy, so it should make for a raucous recap on Monday!

Married ladies, did you have a bachelorette party?

banana coconut bread

2013-05-16T02:53:00.001-04:00

Manu has never had banana bread. I know. Let that marinate for a second. And last year at the ripe age of 31 he had his first cupcake. It’s a travesty what my poor Italian is missing out on! So I’ve made it a point to acclimate him as best I can to more American cuisine.

I’ve got the caribbean on the brain (honeymoon!) so I decided to tropicalize his first banana bread with some coconut flour. It added just the right amount of zing, but if you’re not a fan you can add any chopped nuts in its place (or chocolate chips!).

What did he think of it? Well, being the Italian that he is, this morning he said he “wasn’t hungry” for my banana bread and was just going to have his daily espresso. (Side note: how they are never hungry at breakfast boggles my mind!) Who knows if he’ll even get a slice because I started stress eating (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it) and now half the loaf is gone.

Banana Coconut Bread

2 very ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup whole wheat flour

2/3 cup coconut flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

pinch salt

1/4 cup honey

2/3 cup plain greek yogurt

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan with butter or olive oil and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine flours, baking soda and salt together. In another bowl, beat eggs with yogurt and honey, add the mashed bananas and the vanilla. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix until just combined. Pour mixture into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle about a tablespoon more coconut flour on top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

[Print this recipe]

What’s your favorite banana bread variant? This version I made last year is up there for first place in my banana bread classification!

m&m wedding: countdown

2013-05-14T02:23:00.001-04:00

The countdown is officially on, and not a day goes by that someone doesn’t ask me about the wedding, or in my case, remind me, “You’re getting married in two weeks!” I am? I am! Though a year and several months have passed since the day Manu proposed it feels like bam! all of sudden it’s here and it’s completely surreal. The process has been mostly hilarious, occasionally frustrating and I have a newfound appreciation for brides and event planners.

But you know what? I’m ready. I was born ready. Evidence:

Yes, my friends, here I am at the ripe age of five, already a bride.

-15 days to go. Let’s do this Manu!

P.S. Thanks Mom for finding this gem!

demystifying healthy: bulgur

2013-05-10T02:12:00.000-04:00

“We definitely need more bulgur in our lives,” I said to Manu after I read up on the superfood grain. He said something along the lines of, “Yeah, ok, you can have your weird seeds and things and I’ll keep my pasta and pizza, thanks.” He is, as we know, not into health food. But bulgur really is awesome, and we need to eat more of it. Swap your rice or daily dinner starch for bulgur and you’ll add some great benefits to your meal.

Bulgur is high in fiber and protein which means it fills you up without adding tons of extra calories. Plus, it’s partially cooked so while it’s sitting in some boiling water (like you prepare cous cous) you can finish up the rest of the meal. It’s nutty and tastes like brown rice, but it has less fat, fewer calories and twice the fiber. Why am I just finding this out now?

Tabbouleh is definitely my favorite dish to make with bulgur, it’s practically summer in a bowl!

Tabbouleh

(from this recipe)

1 cup bulgur wheat

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)

1/4 cup good olive oil

3 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts (1 bunch)

1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (1 bunch)

1 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (1 bunch)

1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and medium-diced

2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place the bulgur in a large bowl, pour in the boiling water, and add the lemon juice, olive oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Stir, then allow to stand at room temperature for about 1 hour.

Add the scallions, mint, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper; mix well. Season, to taste, and serve or cover and refrigerate. The flavor will improve if the tabbouleh sits for a few hours.

Do you eat bulgur?

P.S. More from the "demystifying healthy" series: amaranth

Sources: 1 and 2

27

2013-05-08T02:25:00.000-04:00

When I was 8, my aunt was 27. She was, for me, the epitome of cool adult. She had a white Nissan with a sunroof and we’d blast Paula Abdul in it and then go rollerblading. Every Tuesday night we had a sleepover at her house and it always felt like we were sisters. She got married that year too, and I remember thinking, “I want to be just like her when I’m 27...”

Well, I may not have the white Nissan, but today I’m 27, and I’d like to hope that I have half the awesomeness of my favorite aunt.

[Thank you for being my childhood hero Joj; then, now and forever!]

Who did you look up to when you were little?

living in italy: little moments

2013-05-06T03:37:00.006-04:00

The little, unexpected blips of life here fill me with a non-jaded sense of wonder that I hope never goes away. Moments like the conversation with the lady downstairs whose curlers in her hair bounce around as she describes what she's making for lunch.

Here are some little moments from this past week.

Manu and I visited the basilica to hear some potential wedding ceremony music last weekend. The choral director had us come after hours, as the sun was setting. He started to play, singing with all his might in the empty medieval church. Everything went dark until the only light came from the little lamp on his piano. After a few songs our priest came out of the sacristy, ready to go home and yelled out, "Close the door when you leave!" It made me laugh, thinking we'd have to close and lock the door to a 1,200 year old building.

Sunday morning is all abut the stroll. From about 11 a.m. until lunch time (1 p.m.) everyone's out strolling, and now that it's almost summer, the stroll area has moved from the main avenue in town to the part near the cathedral and the castle where a nice breeze from the adriatic sea lilts by.

Here's a little part of the dessert table from the wedding we went to last weekend. It was madness, and even after our 7-course meal, people ravaged that table like they hadn't eaten in days. And this wasn't even the end! Afterwards there was wedding cake and a gelato station. Everyone kept asking me if we eat as much at American weddings and though it might depend on the wedding, I'm pretty sure we don't.

Speaking of eating, we had an intimate terrace lunch with 22 friends (we barely fit on that terrace) and at one point there was a moment of mayhem when the boys realized there wasn't any parsley. "No...no...no...we need parsley. Who forgets parsley?!" They were upset. Because parsley really ties the pasta and clams together. Finally they found some and everyone was happy. Here they're eating raw mussels. Afterwards there was grilled octopus and giant shrimp. For dessert, limoncello soaked strawberries. Yup, just your standard friend BBQ!

Hope you're enjoying the little moments wherever you are in the world!

breakfast strawberry bread

2013-05-03T02:50:00.001-04:00

The beach was packed for the May 1st holiday here in Italy (Labor Day) and at a certain point in the afternoon I looked around and thought, “Where’s a video camera to share this with my blog friends when I need one?”

The sand was blanketed with towels, teenagers sprawled on top playing cards, doing crossword puzzles and admiring their tans. These enter in the canon of “Typical Italian Beach Activities.” Also to be included in that list: volleyball, soccer soccer soccer, eating gelato (always at 5 o’ clock), drinking espresso at the beach bar, not using sunscreen, grilling. Yes, we did all those things (I was the American with the 30 spf though) and it was heavenly. Yesterday felt scarily like a Monday and so I was in need of a fun breakfast.

If you don't have any almond flour on hand, it's super easy to make. Just pour the amount you need (here it's 1/3 cup) of almonds into a food processor and pulse until they're the consistency of flour. Done!

The berries make this bread so moist and sweet, yet the flours balance it out with a nice nuttiness. You can hardly tell there's no butter, oil or sugar. Plus that added tang of lemon really brings out the sweetness of the berries! If honey just doesn't cut it for you though, you can always substitute sugar instead.

Breakfast Strawberry Bread

1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped

2 tbs lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup almond flour

1/3 cup coconut flour (unsweetened)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

1/4 cup honey

2/3 cup plain greek yogurt

2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan with butter or olive oil and set aside. In a bowl, mix the strawberries with the lemon juice and zest and set aside. Combine flours, salt and baking soda together in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, beat eggs with yogurt and honey. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix until just combined. Gently fold in strawberries. Pour mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

[Print this recipe!]

So, it's finally May and that means I have two weeks of work left and then a week to decompress with my Americans who are coming for the wedding. Basically I'm out of my mind excited and it's getting harder and harder to concentrate on anything else!

Buon weekend my friends!

P.S. Similarly lovely loaves: Chocolate Zucchini Cake and Blood Orange Walnut Bread

secrets of the italian table: kids

2013-04-29T02:57:00.001-04:00

There’s a trend happening in the baby world and that’s how to raise your children like little Europeans. (Maybe you’ve seen this book.) Though I’m nowhere near to being ready for child bearing, living here and watching the way parents raise their kids makes me want to keep some serious mental bookmarks.

The main difference I've noticed between American and Italian children is that there’s less of a distinction between the child and the adult, within reason of course. If the adults are going out for a late-night stroll, the child comes too; if the adults are going to the theater, the kids come too. The same goes for meal time. There’s no such thing as a kids menu or a mom serving chicken nuggets to the kids while the adults have grilled octopus. When it comes time for solid foods, Italian children eat what the adults eat, in littler pieces of course. They sit with the adults at the table, use a fork and drink out of a real glass.

This is one of the reasons why Italian parents hire babysitters less than Americans do, because they know they can go out and their child will behave in a restaurant. They've had their practice at home.

Here’s evidence for you - Peppe, two years old, nephew extraordinaire. Eats his orecchiette with sauce (our lunch too) by himself. Don’t mind Manu’s political ramblings in the background!

Parents and non-parents alike, where do you stand? Would you try these European techniques?

P.S. And if you want in on another secret - secrets of the italian table: men vs. women

m&m wedding: me and you

2013-04-26T02:13:00.000-04:00

The pile of bureaucratic things to do came to a peak last weekend when we found out that, no, everything is not done yet and, yes, there are more documents to fill out, to bring here, then report there, sign here, dot your i there.

One of these things to do was visit with the bishop and have him sign a declaration saying that we are indeed Catholic and we believe in the wedding sacrament and that we most certainly do not live together. (Oops.) We were running late, and flew into our priest’s chambers to find the bishop putting on his little hat and getting ready to go out to the altar for mass. Our priest gave him a quick run-down of the paper he was to sign for us, and Manu and I stood there with nervous smiles looking very much like two kids who just got sent to the principal. The bishop peered at us from above his glasses which had slid down to the tip of his nose, and slowly held out his hand.

I did next what any well-mannered American would do; I shook it. I took his little hand poised in front of me and shook it. Manu did the same, and the bishop sat down and signed our paper.

Our priest yell-whispered in our ears, “Kiss the bishop’s hand! Kiss the bishop’s hand!” I panicked, but it was too late, there was that dainty little hand again, positioned for me to bend down and kiss, but my nerves got the best of me and I shook it again! It was Manu’s turn, and all eyes turned to him as he leaned in, took the soft hand of the bishop and planted a big, fat kiss right on top. As we turned to leave our priest whispered again, “I meant the ring!”

Our knees buckled with laughter as we sped out of the medieval basilica and spilled out onto the streets of Barletta where it had started to pour with rain. Laughing like we’ve never laughed before at the thought our gaffe with the bishop and completely soaked, Manu turned to me and said,

“I love being with you. When I’m with you It’s like I’m with me.”

One month left!

chewy carrot date cookies

2013-04-24T02:32:00.002-04:00

On Sundays at Manu’s parents’ house we always have a special dessert after family lunch - a tray of traditional italian cream-puffy pastries, tiramisu, a box of homemade gelato from the gelateria next door - and we always end up talking about who has the biggest sweet tooth in the family. The sisters say it's their mom, as they fight over the last fruit tart, but the boys admit they could live without dessert. (I protest that it would hardly be "living.") I, personally, must have something sweet after lunch, yet come bathing suit season I try to at least keep it light.

These cookies are my new favorite (healthy, only 71 calories per cookie!) after-lunch-sweet, and they’re fabulous for breakfast. Dates in desserts can do no wrong in my book, they add so much natural sweetness that no other sugar is necessary! I know these aren't the prettiest of creations but they taste like carrot cake and oatmeal raisin cookies combined, so, sold!

Chewy Carrot Date Cookies

(based on this recipe)

1 1/2 cups chopped pitted dates

1 cup shredded carrots

1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt

1/4 cup honey

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup Grape-Nuts cereal (or any other bran cereal, crumbled)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Stir together dates, carrots, yogurt, honey, oil and vanilla in a medium bowl. Let stand for 15 minutes. Stir together flour, cereal, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in another medium bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the date mixture, mixing just until blended. Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto a prepared baking sheet. Bake until the tops spring back when touched lightly, about 15 minutes Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

Tell me, do you have a raging sweet tooth like me or are you like the boys in the family and can “live without dessert?”

whole wheat fusilli with lemony fava beans

2013-04-22T01:51:00.000-04:00

The other day while I was teaching a little boy at his house he happily munched on a bowl of fresh fava beans in between repetitions of verbs. Then, this morning an old lady (you know how much I love little old ladies) was sitting on a wooden chair outside her house, cracking open fava bean shells and dropping the bright green pods into a glass bowl. She silently handed a bean to a little girl walking by with her mom, the little girl whispered, grazie! and skipped off.

It’s fava season in Barletta.

There’s a lot you can do with fresh fava beans, the pea’s slightly bitter cousin. Steam them fresh and eat them as a side dish with some olive oil and salt. Pop raw ones in a salad, or boil some and purèe for a creamy pasta sauce or sandwich spread. You can even sautè them with shallots and a bit of broth, and serve that mixed into couscous or rice. Here, I accompany them with lemon because I think it cuts through the bitterness, perfect if you’re a fava-first timer.

Whole Wheat Fusilli with Lemony Fava Beans

(serves two)

1 1/4 cup fresh fava beans, shelled from their pods

2 cups whole wheat fusilli

1 tsp olive oil

1 clove garlic

1/2 tsp lemon zest + 1 tbs juice

1/2 tsp chopped parsley

salt + pepper

Fill a bowl with cold water. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fava beans and cook 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the cold water; let cool. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta. After a few minutes, drain the beans from the ice water, then peel off their skins (they should slip right off). Saute the garlic clove in the olive oil over medium heat until it starts to sizzle. Add the favas, the pasta cooking liquid, the lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper to taste and parsley. Cook about 10 minutes, then remove the garlic clove. Add the pasta to the skillet and cook, tossing in the sauce, about 3 minutes. Serve warm.

Have you ever tried a fava bean?

P.S. I'm not a huge fan of whole wheat pasta's consistency, but more than any other shape, fusilli seem to work the best for me!

the love is tangible

2013-04-17T03:49:00.001-04:00

Have you given up hope for any decency and humanity in this world? Are you worried that there's just too many sick people out there to go on trusting and living your life in serenity? It may seem that way after yet another senseless act of violence and cruelty, but look beyond the devastation, to where true love for one another lives and thrives.

- Users on Reddit are offering free pizza to first responders, victims and anyone displaced from Monday's events.

- All spots to register to donate blood in the Boston area were filled on Tuesday.
- People are donating toys to Boston Children's Hospital where many victims are still receiving treatment.

- Little acts of kindness, like {av}'s mail lady who left her this sweet note.
- This New Yorker cartoon. And many MLB teams playing "Sweet Caroline," our Red Sox song, instead of their own.

- Doors are open for those who can't get to their offices to work.

- A bystander whose son was killed in Iraq was one of the first to run to the scene and help the wounded.
- The stranger offering orange juice on the sidewalk. And others who gave a little more.
- The sweet message from a local taqueria on twitter and all the other Boston restaurants responding with food donations and fundraising.
- Emerson College students designed t-shirts to raise money for victims, and already have $20,000.

Let's never forget the tangible love that exists in this world.

regional italian: passatelli and cappelletti

2013-04-15T04:09:00.001-04:00

While we were in Cesena for the weekend, Manu and I got to experience truly authentic cucina romagnola, the delicacies of the Emilia Romagna region. We were at the house of my uncle’s fiancè, whose mother is a nothing short of a champion home cook. Mirella called me into the kitchen so I could she how she made her passatelli - a fresh “pasta” that is later cooked in her special vegetable broth. Made, surprisingly, with bread crumbs (that she grinds herself), lots of grated parmesan, some eggs and a pinch of nutmeg, it was a combination I had never tried before. She lovingly described her mother teaching her how to make passatelli when she was little as the passed (hence the name) the antique tool across the ball of dough to make the squiggly pasta shapes.

Also to be put in her broth were cappelletti, which Americans would probably call tortellini, but in the shape of little hats. Hers are unbelievable, and she told me that at Christmastime she whips up a good 600 of them!

We sat down to eat at Mirella's beautifully set table, said our buon appetito's and sunk our soup spoons into the most. delicious. broth. of my life. The flavor was like a burst of vegetables and farm chickens, yet so delicate and perfectly accompanied by the passatelli and cappelletti, which, as you can imagine, were unrivaled in their comfort and flavor. We had seconds.

What regions have you visited in Italy? Did you know that food traditions change not only from region to region but also from town to town?

warm pears with cinnamon ricotta

2013-04-12T03:37:00.002-04:00

I was in the supermarket last night browsing the fruit and veggie department, which I wouldn’t normally do seeing as how I have my fruit and veg guy on the street downstairs, but I was desperate for brussels sprouts and thought maybe I could find some there. No dice. “The search will continue!” I was thinking to myself when a little old lady picked up a container of pre-julienned zucchini and asked me, “Excuse me miss, but what could I do with these?” We chatted for a minute about what she could make - risotto, a creamy pasta, a veggie sautè - and then she pointed to a basket of pears. “I got those pears the other day, ooh, were they sweet!” And before you know it we were walking through the supermarket together telling each other everything we were buying and what we were making.

I can’t help it, I just love little old Italian ladies.

Warm Pears With Cinnamon Ricotta

(from this recipe)

1 small pear, halved and cored

1/4 cup part-skim ricotta

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp honey (or sweetener of your choice)

Preheat broiler or toaster oven. Place pear on a baking sheet and broil 10 to 12 minutes until tender.

Combine ricotta and cinnamon in a small bowl, mixing well. Top warm pear with ricotta mixture and drizzle with honey.

This snack (or breakfast!) is one of those that will fuel your day, thanks to the fiber in the pear and the protein in the ricotta. But don’t get the wrong idea, these pears taste far from “health food” - super juicy and lusciously creamy, you can’t just have a half. And I have the little old lady to thank for the inspiration!

In case you missed it this week: our trip to the beautiful town Cesena and some facts about the superfood amaranth!

demystifying healthy: amaranth

2013-04-10T03:00:00.000-04:00

It may have already been evident to you (judging by this ever-growing category) that I like to eat healthy. I’m not sure how this came about, seeing as how Manu always judged me a “good fork,” the Italian expression for a person with a big appetite. I’m not lactose intolerant or allergic to gluten, nor do I have any strong feelings against eating animal products. (Actually, I’d be a full-on vegetarian by now if it wasn’t for the fact that I could never give up Thanksgiving turkey or the occasional summer hot dog.) I’m just in love with the feeling that comes with eating freshly and healthfully. And now more than ever, I want to know more.

So, add this newfound desire to eat clean with my love of learning (yup, I said it.) and we’ve got a new series for the boot. I want to demystify some of these new “trends” in healthy eating, and as I go, share them all with you!

First up is the superfood Amaranth. Heard of it? It’s an ancient Aztec seed (often used as a grain) that is slowly gaining popularity all over the world for its gluten free properties and super high levels of protein - 13-14% to be exact, which easily beats the protein content of most other grains. It’s a complete protein because it contains lysine, an amino acid missing in many grains. Amaranth seeds are tiny, like poppy seeds, and have a slightly sweet and nutty flavor when cooked.

How can I cook it? Amaranth seeds can be ground into a gluten free flour for your baked goods, cooked as a breakfast cereal, added to soups as a thickener, or popped, without oil, into nutty popcorn. I’ve been making it for breakfast and it keeps me full all morning until lunch time, even when I’m running around the classroom with the kiddos for hours! (I topped mine with cinnamon, fresh apple and honey, plus a good swig of soy milk for creaminess.)

Easy Amaranth Breakfast Cereal

(serves 2)

1/2 cup amaranth

1 1/4 cups water (or milk of your choice)

*Optional Additions: spices, fresh fruit, sweeteners, nuts, dried fruit, maple syrup, honey

Pour the amaranth and the water or milk into a pot and heat on medium until it starts to bubble. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed. Make sure to stir often as it may stick to the pan or become clumpy. Top with whatever you like.

Have you ever tried amaranth? Would you?

Sources: 1 and 2

living in italy: cesena

2013-04-08T03:01:00.002-04:00

I kept telling Manu that if we ever had to leave Barletta I’d want to go somewhere like Cesena. This gem of a town along the Adriatic coast has everything: the seaside, the mountains, friendly and hospitable people, manicured streets and well-kept public services. Plus everyone rides bikes, which I adore, and there’s a rich history clearly evident in the architecture and the cultured inhabitants. If you’re ever in the area, a visit to Cesena is a must!

You might have caught another bike photo if we're friends on instagram, what can I say, I love them!

In the heart of Cesena, you'll find The Biblioteca Malatestiana. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site because it was the first public library in Europe and the world. (My inner nerd lovedddd this!) Manu and I had a guide who lead us through the library, constructed in 1452 and still completely intact. The room has two parallel rows of desks and a corridor in the middle, kind of like a church. The volumes (over 300) are connected with iron chains to the desks, so scholars could come and study based on topic, but not take the books out of the library. The library is a soft green color, which was said to be perfect for studying. In the library’s collection, there’s even the smallest book ever made, 15 X 9 mm!

[photo source]

If you're there on a Saturday morning, you'll find a sprawling antiques market in the old center of town.

Don't you love that rejuvenated feeling you get when you explore (and actually like) a new place? I highly recommend Cesena as a stop on your next trip to Italy!

P.S. If you want to keep exploring, here are some other towns you might be interested in: Spello and Norcia, Sorrento, and Alberobello.

living in italy: alberobello

2013-04-03T03:04:00.000-04:00

If there’s one place in the world that is packed to the brim with hidden jewels, it’s Italy. Just an hour’s ride through the countryside on Monday morning (the “little Easter” holiday) took us to the characteristic town of Alberobello, known for its trulli. The trulli are “truly” awesome (ha! sorry.) and quite mysterious. No one really knows why these dry, cone-shaped dwellings popped up in such frequency here, since you can usually only see one every now and then in the countryside. Legend has it that poor farmers could construct one for their families to live in easily, and then, just by pulling out one stone, dismantle the dwelling when inspectors came to the area to collect the housing tax. Each cone represents one room, and some built alcoves near the top for children to sleep. We met an old woman who said she and her 14 family members all slept in their trullo, happily, and that it always stayed the perfect temperature in the winter and in the summer. (She also made us take a picture of her on her bed, which she said would bring us good luck, so I'm not so sure about her credibility.)

[The symbols on the cones were generally Christian, or devotional to the saints represented in the local basilica.]

[There's the good luck lady and her husband outside their trullo.]

After, all 26 of us (yes) went out for lunch and let me just tell you, madness ensued! Maybe it was the excitement over the trulli but there were many moments of spontaneous applause, and we knew all the waiters' names by the end of the afternoon.

Have you been to Alberobello? If you're ever in Puglia it's a must-see, so here's a little guide for you.

the three ingredient pancake

2013-03-29T03:25:00.000-04:00

Remember my pancake challenge last year? The victor in the end for overall fluffiness and great pancake consistency was the pre-made Biquick Shake N’ Pour. (Yes, I’m admitting it.) Second place overall went to these whole wheat pancakes, for the best flavor.

But, (and there’s always a but) had I made these pancakes at the time, they would have surely won, not just for their easy assembly, but for their good-for-you qualities and complete magic! Eggs and bananas and bam! You have pancakes!

I jazzed mine up a bit with some coconut flour (it gives them a tropical flair), but you can use almond meal or any nut butter too. Feel free to throw in the optional additions below, or just eat them straight up! They really are packed with flavor just on their own. And the best part? The whole recipe is only 293 calories with 8 grams of fiber and a whopping 14 grams of protein!

Three Ingredient Pancakes

(makes about 10 small pancakes)

1 large ripe banana

2 eggs

2 tbs coconut flour

(Optional Additions: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, almond flour or nut butter (substitute the coconut flour).

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until there are no lumps, or alternatively, whisk by hand. Heat a non-stick skillet with the grease of your choice (olive oil, butter etc.) over medium-low heat. Pour two tablespoons of the batter in the skillet. It’s thin, so the pancakes will be very flimsy. Be careful flipping! After a few minutes, gently turn to the other side. Repeat for remaining batter, greasing the pan after every couple of pancakes.

Have a lovely Easter my friends! We’ll be eating all weekend (it is Italy after all) and partaking in all of the special festivities (religious processions, masses, etc.). Monday we’re going on a trip for pasquetta (Little Easter) so stay tuned on Tuesday for a recap!

And in case you missed it: Chocolate Truffles (Vegan and Gluten Free!) and Artichoke, Ricotta and Pea Tart

chocolate truffles (vegan and gluten free!)

2013-03-27T03:52:00.000-04:00

Remember those Yoplait commercials with two girls on a couch musing over how good their yogurt was? They would banter back and forth, “This is first kiss good!” “No, it’s summertime good!” “It’s Friday night and I just got paid good!” Cue giggles and spoon licking.

Well, let me just enter that realm of marketing cheesiness for a second, because, holy cow, these truffles are first kiss-summertime-Friday night-MAKE TWO BATCHES good. And so healthy that it would be better for you to have two than just one at snack time.

Why they’re great: Not only are they fudgy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, these truffles have actual health benefits too. Dates are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Almonds are great for your skin and help reduce the “bad” cholesterol in your body. Coconut is packed with potassium. Even cocoa is full of fiber and antioxidants!

Notes

*If you don’t have almond meal and want to make your own, simply throw some almonds in a coffee grinder or food processor and pulse until the desired consistency.

*Dates are extra sweet so they work really well here, if you’re not a fan you can also use apricots.

Vegan and Gluten Free Chocolate Truffles
(makes about 8)

1/2 cup dates

1/4 cup raisins

2 tbs almond meal (or finely ground almonds, plus a tablespoon more for dusting)

2 tbs coconut flour

2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder

Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor with a small splash of water. Pulse until a thick paste forms (it doesn’t have to be completely homogenous.) Form into balls with your hands and dust with remaining almond meal, or alternatively, the coconut flour. Store in an airtight container.
[Print this recipe!]

What are you waiting for? Hop to it! These truffles are calling your name!

P.S. And if you're just itching to relive that commercial greatness, here you go.

artichoke, ricotta and pea tart

2013-03-25T03:46:00.001-04:00

This weekend the healthy living site Blisstree featured my new favorite egg recipe ever in their Brunch-Off series. Like a frittata, but baked in the oven, this spring tart is heavenly, and perfect for a weekend brunch with friends. The ricotta lashed into the eggs makes them fluffier than you can imagine, yet creamy and rich at the same time. I almost couldn't believe how fluffy it was, since usually egg-based dishes have a tendency to fall flat, or dense up as soon as they sit. Manu and I ate this with crusty bread on late Saturday morning and I kept asking, "It's good isn't it? Isn't it good?" I probably didn't need to ask, seeing as how we had to rock-paper-scissors for the last slice.

Artichoke, Ricotta and Pea Tart

(Inspired by this recipe, serves 4-6)

1/2 tsp olive oil

4 eggs

1/2 cup ricotta

1 cup artichokes (canned works fine, otherwise cooked until tender)

1/3 cup peas (defrosted if frozen, steamed if fresh)

1/2 scant tsp salt

generous pinch black pepper

grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9-inch cake pan or baking dish with the olive oil. Whisk the eggs and ricotta until well combined. Add the peas, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture into the baking dish and arrange the artichokes, sliced in half, on top. Sprinkle generously with the grated cheese and some more black pepper. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until set and lightly golden on top.

[Print this recipe!]

Though you'll probably be getting your fill of egg recipes this week, trust me, this is one for your recipe vault. Thanks so much to Carrie at Blisstree for the feature!

easy vegetarian chili

2013-03-22T03:29:00.000-04:00

If you’re reading this from the good ole’ US of A, know that there are times when I envy you and your ability to find black beans, jalapenos, brown rice, cheddar cheese, limes, avocados and all the other delicacies of south of the border cooking. We expats make do, by smuggling cumin and other invaluable products (baking powder) in our luggage, or maybe by improvising with what’s available.

Take this chili for instance, it’s an expat chili for several reasons. 1) If I were home, I’d tell you to substitute one of those cans of tomatoes for green chiles. 2) The super Italian cannellini beans? Those would become a combination of black and pinto beans. 3) Parsley would be swapped for fresh cilantro. 4) You know I’d be grating some sharp cheddar on top with a sweet dollop of sour cream and maybe an avocado wedge. Actually, definitely an avocado wedge.

Easy Vegetarian Chili

(serves 4-6)

1 1/2 tbs olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chile powder

salt and pepper

2 cans (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes

1 can cannellini beans, drained (or any bean you like)

fresh chopped parsley (optional)

In a stock pot, heat the olive oil over medium high. Add the onion and garlic and cook for a few minutes until tender, making sure not to brown. Add the peppers, cumin, chile powder and a good sprinkle of salt and pepper and cook three minutes more until fragrant. Stir in the diced tomatoes and the beans. Add 1/2 cup of water (or more depending on the consistency you like) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until peppers are tender. Season with more salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fresh parsley, if using.
[Print this recipe!]

You know what? It may be missing some things, but this chili is great, just as it is. And it captures the essence of what expatriation is all about; improvisation and adaptability.

P.S. In case you missed it this week, we had a first here on the boot - Gluten Free Banana Nut Bars! Buon weekend amici!

gluten free banana nut bars

2013-03-20T03:35:00.000-04:00

I must really exude irresponsibility, because people love to give me recommendations in life. “Marissa, you should become a professional translator and work for the government!” Or, “Why don’t you send your resume to some companies who might need freelance work?” Or, “Marissa you should really open your own English school!” Or “Why don’t you teach in the elementary school full time?”

Apparently the three jobs I already work are just not providing enough security for my friends and family. Well, whatever it is, I continue to take everyone’s suggestions and recommendations with an open mind and heart. One that I get all the time? From my mom?

“You should really do a gluten free recipe on the blog. Everyone’s gluten free Marissa.”

I love when moms get “in the know” about something and they like to tout it around, like, “Hey I bought an iPad. I’m hip!” This is my mom and the gluten free thing.

Gluten Free Banana Nut Bars
(adapted from this recipe)

2 large, very ripe bananas

1 cup almonds

1 cup walnuts

1/2 tsp salt (optional)

1/3 cup chopped dried fruit (such as apricots, dates or raisins)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x9-inch square baking dish with olive oil or butter. Mash the bananas in a medium mixing bowl very thoroughly until no large chunks remain; the bananas should be essentially liquid. Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse the nuts until they’re a chunky, yet still have a flour-like consistency. Combine the nuts, salt, dried fruit, and cinnamon with the bananas. Pat the thick mixture into the baking pan. If desired, sprinkle the top lightly with nutmeg or cinnamon. Bake for 30 minutes or unti the edges just begin to crisp up.

So, Kate, I’ve finally taken your suggestion, and these gluten-free bars are just for you, my dear. Perfect for an afternoon snack or breakfast on the go.

Everyone else, continue to send along your advice about what I should with my life. I’m all ears.

P.S. A fantastic gluten free recipe archive, here.

an italian birthday lunch

2013-03-18T03:45:00.004-04:00

What would an American guy do for his 32nd birthday? Maybe he'd get together with friends at a bar after work. Or have a nice dinner out with relatives. Maybe a trip to Vegas. But would he cook lunch on a Sunday afternoon for his friends complete with a cake his mom made for him? No. Because that's what an Italian guy would do.

Filippo came over at one, an hour later than we had planned the night before (= Italy) and started cooking the lunch that would eventually take us six hours to eat. Our friends arrived one by one, also late, each helping out in the kitchen. Con calma, as you already know.

Our appetizer; little kebabs of crispy pancetta and new potatoes. Filippo even remembered to bring rosemary sprigs for a garnish!

The first course was a baked tagliatelle with a creamy and cheesy beschamel sauce and little bits of prosciutto. Unbelievably good. Filippo's mom made that, too, and we couldn't stop toasting to her amazing tagliatelle!

Yes, there was a lot of toasting to people and things. As you can see.

And everyone had to have a picture at the table, so we set up a little area for all of the cameras and phones to rest on. Italians love taking photos (of themselves).

And another important thing? Obligatory cake shots with the bottle of prosecco and usually the birthday person stands behind it while the friends or family line up among him/her.

Auguri Filippo!

P.S. The traditional Italian rum cake we always ate at parties and holidays growing up looked and tasted exactly like this one, but here it's just a normal cake!

living in italy: the pope

2013-03-15T03:49:00.001-04:00

[Inside the church where Saint Francis's tomb is kept, at his birthplace in Assisi]

On the night the Pope was elected, I was teaching a little boy at his house. Ten minutes before our lesson was supposed to end, his mom came running in declaring, "The white smoke is here! Marissa, hurry home to watch, you'll want to tell your children one day where you were when the new Pope was chosen!"

Manu was equally excited, and called me on my long walk home to let me know that I hadn't missed anything yet. His dad, who was working in his office around the corner from our house, came over to watch too, for fear that he would miss those very important five minutes. We sat in the living room, literally on the edges of our seats, awaiting the arrival onto that tiny balcony. Though I'm not as religious as my late grandmothers would have wanted me to be, I couldn't help but feel totally captivated. In the city you could hear a pin drop.

We laughed and patted Manu's dad on the back when he translated the part in Latin to us that the Pope was his namesake - Francesco. All the church bells throughout the town began to peal.

As you can imagine, the next day it was the only thing anyone could talk about. Even my youngest students all asked, "Did you see the Pope? Do you like him?" The general consensus here is that he's great, and I agree. Among 267 Popes, he's the first to have chosen Francesco as a name, which in itself speaks volumes. The embodiment of Saint Francis is how a Pope should be; humble, compassionate, human.

P.S. If you're a history nerd like me, here's an interesting article about what happens inside the conclave.