Pretty, isn't it? I switched this one to black and white too. I like it for snow shots. I'm wondering if that's actually a palm-type tree on the right...
And another one, I would assume from their balcony. Gosh, maybe I should ask them what an apartment there costs! : )
She also told me that they are no longer running the hotel. They still own it but have rented it out to a man who is now in charge of it. So hopefully, they are heading into those golden years of retirement which in Italy should be truly golden.
As long as I'm here, I might as well relate my latest cooking experiments. A few nights ago (yes, still somewhat sick and puny but bored out of my mind), I decided to try making some kind of pasta sauce using ricotta cheese. While at my kids' watching the food network, I've seen this done and it makes a creamy sauce but not as heavy as the American Alfredo sauce which I find way too rich. So I searched around and found one that used garlic and zuchinni sauteed in olive oil, then ricotta cheese added to that and melted down, and then - my recipe said - spaghetti tossed around in that, adding a little of the pasta water to make the sauce creamier and then giving it a good dose of parmesan regianno. I did all that and it was good...but...I will be trying it again with a few changes so won't post the recipe now. But here are pictures of some of the cooking and the finished product.
The ingredients...nice and simple...
The sauteeing and smelling good...
And the finished dish. You can see from the picture there's not much zuchinni. I tossed and tossed and even then, I didn't get a good mouthful of it until I had pretty much emptied out the bowl. So one of the changes will be a different kind of pasta - something small that will let the zuchinni mix in. That last mouthful with more zuchinni was really tasty!
And then tonight I decided that I was going to try making homemade naan bread. I had asked for and received some jars of this Indian tikka masala sauce I found at World Market when I was there after my Italy trip and I liked it so much I added it to my "wish list". But I like naan bread with my Indian food so...I called Maggie to see if she had ever made it - she's getting to be quite the Indian chef much to January's delight! - and she had so she gave me her recipe and some moral support and I dug in. For my first attempt I was quite happy with it and I think it's going to be the perfect excuse to go buy a pizza stone. I love a good excuse to buy kitchen stuff. :) I will post a recipe sometime, but not tonight. But here are pics to prove I did it..
The dough (looks sort of like brains but it's dough)...This was half a recipe - enough to make three naans. I made four cause I wanted to try two different methods of cooking so I divided the dough into quarters and froze two balls of it and can now have naan again without all the hassle.
The chicken tikka masala for which I can't take any credit except sauteeing the chicken and adding some frozen peas.
And, obviously, it was good enough to eat (tee hee).
And my mama would be proud - I've already cleaned up the kitchen and run the dishwasher. So now, I'm going to put my jammies on and watch a movie or something - sure wish there was anything good on TV ever!
4 comments:
HI, you would try cutting the zucchhini in smaller bits.Each slice in quarters I mean.Then let them cook but not that crispy, they must be still tender. You can add some oregan or maggiorana to add flavour and some pinenuts for crispiness. Have a nice day, Rosanna
I don't associate Florence with snow... how interesting! And I had no idea naan was so easily made at home... your dish look just like take-out!
What impressive cooking for a sick lady! Does the sauce come with the peas or did you add them? And is it chicken chunks? Makes me hungry and makes me want to try Maggie's bread recipe. And Florence is looking soooo beautiful. Guess you'll have to visit in the winter sometime. xoxo
Good job with the naan, Mama! The Indian food Maggie made me for my birthday dinner last night was deeeeelicious!
And how nice to get some pictures and a note from Florence - it is weird to think of snow there...
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