I found this fun little website in a local free magazine today.
http://www.iwl.me/
You paste in some of your writing and it tells you what author you write like (based on word choice).
I pasted in a bit of my last post about food and came up with this result:
Honestly, I didn't think trying new foods was THAT scary!
All photographs were taken by, and are copyright of, the blogger.
19 July 2010
10 July 2010
Tour di Tummy
Italy is, by far, my favorite place in the world to eat.
First, you have the liberal application of pork to every menu. From antipasta plates to "young piglet in apple vinegar and honey" the Italians love their pork (as do I - and living in Egypt, eating pork abroad becomes a decadent indulgence).
The general pork platter of porkiness with a side of cheese is a worthy lunch, let alone appetizer.
This particular plate of pork was purchased in Monterosso. I had just hiked 3 kilometers up and over steep terraced vineyards from Vernazza. The hike had taken just over 2 hours and been as much steep uphill as down. I was starving at lunch, but didn't want something heavy - this little plate of meaty delights with a bit of mixed bruschetta and cheeses was the PERFECT treat, especially with a dash of balsamic vinegar - mmmm.
Still on the meat front, my travel companion preferred Prociutto e Melone which always looked beautiful.
Now, surely, you say to yourself, surely you did not eat pork at EVERY MEAL?
No, I did not eat pork at every meal. There was one meal when I abstained. After a morning exploring the Boboli and Bardini gardens, walking up and down amongst the flowers, trees, and statues, I wanted something natural and good for my body. By this point I had been on vacation for 7 days, with pork (sometimes just a taste, sometimes an entire meal built around it's flavorful meat) and wine twice a day, and nary a vegetable in sight!
Upon leaving the gardens, it was hard not to notice the competing tourist cafes just across the street. If you read my last post you know that I am very opposed to such places as the food is usually overpriced and not-so-great.
This is where serendipity was on our side (and was the entire time in Florence). Knowing and gnawing hunger was growing, we turned down an alley, then another, then another, until - not very far from the gardens - we came across a small square with 4 restaurants. We actually sat down at one and got up (I don't usually do this, but I had a gut feeling) and went next door to 5 & Cinque; an organic cafe specializing in vegetarian items where I had this revelation of a dish:
This is a RATATOUILLE TART! Ratatouille wrapped in a doughy shell that had a great texture to it, accompanied by white bean salad (just some white beans tossed in olive oil, onion, basil, and tomato - which I had quite a few times on the trip and plan to start making to take for lunch in the fall). The table wine was organic boxed, local wine. The atmosphere was friendly and the food was great (and cheap). For dessert there was a little custard tart with a perfect crust, topped with raspberries and mint.
Finally, I'd like to mention the seafood. (Nope, there will be no mention of pasta here. Yes, the pesto trofie was excellent, the risotto di mare hearty, and the spaghetti carbonara lovely - but there is so much more to Italian cooking than pasta!)
In Vernazza, the seafood was fresh and local. Grilled
branzino, catch-of-the-day, octopus "in Hell" with a meaty texture and hearty flavor...anyway, the "typical" fare of the region included stuffed mussels, which was new to me. I love mussels. I love them in white wine and butter (which I also ordered), I love them fried and dipped in garlic + yogurt (as I had them in Istanbul), but stuffed adds a whole new dimension to the flavor. Each restaurant had a different way of making their stuffing (and yes, one restaurant did stuff their mussels with ham in the bread stuffing). Unfortunately, the plate was always so appetizing that by the time I remembered I wanted a picture of them, this was all that was left.
There were also a range of carpaccio available. Tuna, beef (soooo delicious), etc. Unfortunately, raw meat on a plate does not generally photograph well. However, this swordfish carpaccio in Florence was too beautiful not to take a picture of:
And so our culinary tour of Liguria and Tuscany comes to an end. Next post: America! Oh, the steamed crabs! The 'chinese' food! The tex-mex! The deep-fried pickles...it must be time for breakfast!
First, you have the liberal application of pork to every menu. From antipasta plates to "young piglet in apple vinegar and honey" the Italians love their pork (as do I - and living in Egypt, eating pork abroad becomes a decadent indulgence).
The general pork platter of porkiness with a side of cheese is a worthy lunch, let alone appetizer.
This particular plate of pork was purchased in Monterosso. I had just hiked 3 kilometers up and over steep terraced vineyards from Vernazza. The hike had taken just over 2 hours and been as much steep uphill as down. I was starving at lunch, but didn't want something heavy - this little plate of meaty delights with a bit of mixed bruschetta and cheeses was the PERFECT treat, especially with a dash of balsamic vinegar - mmmm.Still on the meat front, my travel companion preferred Prociutto e Melone which always looked beautiful.
Now, surely, you say to yourself, surely you did not eat pork at EVERY MEAL?No, I did not eat pork at every meal. There was one meal when I abstained. After a morning exploring the Boboli and Bardini gardens, walking up and down amongst the flowers, trees, and statues, I wanted something natural and good for my body. By this point I had been on vacation for 7 days, with pork (sometimes just a taste, sometimes an entire meal built around it's flavorful meat) and wine twice a day, and nary a vegetable in sight!
Upon leaving the gardens, it was hard not to notice the competing tourist cafes just across the street. If you read my last post you know that I am very opposed to such places as the food is usually overpriced and not-so-great.
This is where serendipity was on our side (and was the entire time in Florence). Knowing and gnawing hunger was growing, we turned down an alley, then another, then another, until - not very far from the gardens - we came across a small square with 4 restaurants. We actually sat down at one and got up (I don't usually do this, but I had a gut feeling) and went next door to 5 & Cinque; an organic cafe specializing in vegetarian items where I had this revelation of a dish:
Finally, I'd like to mention the seafood. (Nope, there will be no mention of pasta here. Yes, the pesto trofie was excellent, the risotto di mare hearty, and the spaghetti carbonara lovely - but there is so much more to Italian cooking than pasta!)
In Vernazza, the seafood was fresh and local. Grilled
branzino, catch-of-the-day, octopus "in Hell" with a meaty texture and hearty flavor...anyway, the "typical" fare of the region included stuffed mussels, which was new to me. I love mussels. I love them in white wine and butter (which I also ordered), I love them fried and dipped in garlic + yogurt (as I had them in Istanbul), but stuffed adds a whole new dimension to the flavor. Each restaurant had a different way of making their stuffing (and yes, one restaurant did stuff their mussels with ham in the bread stuffing). Unfortunately, the plate was always so appetizing that by the time I remembered I wanted a picture of them, this was all that was left.There were also a range of carpaccio available. Tuna, beef (soooo delicious), etc. Unfortunately, raw meat on a plate does not generally photograph well. However, this swordfish carpaccio in Florence was too beautiful not to take a picture of:
And so our culinary tour of Liguria and Tuscany comes to an end. Next post: America! Oh, the steamed crabs! The 'chinese' food! The tex-mex! The deep-fried pickles...it must be time for breakfast!05 July 2010
Primo Cinque
The day after school got out, another teacher and I packed our bags and headed off to seek adventure in Italy.
After 10 days in Milan, Vernazza, Pisa and Florence, 600+ photographs, and the most amazing weight-gain experience of my entire lifetime, where could I ever begin to begin about the big 2010 trip to Italy?
I've decided, besides the endless food blogging that will have to take place (I photographed nearly every meal); I should just do a TOP 5 - which is easy to begin...
1. Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy
The "5 lands" are 5 small towns on the North-West coast of Italy that are connected by a railway and hiking paths through a national park (and a road, but it's only accessible for locals in some towns). I visited 4 of the 5 towns: Monterosso del Mare, Corniglia, Manorolo, and Vernazza. Vernazza played home-base for the trip and it was breathtaking, the locals were lovely, the food was amazing and the beach small and lovely.
This whole trip was inspired by my seeing a photograph of Vernazza on the desktop of a presenter at this year's NESA conference in Bangkok. During the break, I mentioned to the man sitting next to me I wanted to know where that picture was taken and he replied "That's not a real place. That's got to be one of those photoshop deals."
Well, I'm here to tell you it WAS a real place - one of the most beautiful, simple, full-of-good-people I've ever been. Can't wait to go back when it's NOT full of tourists.
2. Cinque Terre - the hike from Vernazza to Monterosso
One of the pretties hikes
(with some of the most precipitous drops) I've ever taken. The hike began with an almost 90 degree up-hill climb of the vineyard terraces around Vernazza. Finally, the hike leveled off with spectacular views for miles of rocky coastline along the teal-and-blue waters of the Mediterranean.
My friend and I set off early on the hike and didn't encounter many people until we were half done - and they were all coming from the other direction! (The climb on the Monterosso side was more gradual). A two-hour hike later left us sunburned, exhausted, and probably the happiest and most-accomplished I felt the entire trip.
3. Pisa - Off the Beaten Path
I was not looking forward to the Pisa leg of the trip. I thought it would be a waste of time - a tower that leans next to a church; a crush of Summer tourists; a town I'd never heard mentioned besides the tower...why on Earth had we chosen to stay a night in Pisa?
The reason to stay a night in Pisa is EXACTLY the reason for this trip - to discover Italian culture! Sure - the hour or two spent watching tourists contort themselves into ridiculous positions trying to look like they were "holding-up" the tower was fun; but much more interesting was the Pisa I discovered away from the tour-bus drop off point. Pisa is a university town, 100%. Lots of political graffiti, outdoor-events (concerts, movies in the park), great eats, a fabulous historic hotel that has been around since the 11th c. and historical landmarks of scholarly distinction (the sign at the entrance to MENSA University anyone?).
Dinner was at a local, seasonal-sustainable restaurant in a quaint alleyway where a waitress was delivered a huge bouquet of roses and sunflowers (everywhere in Pisa people were walking with small bouquets of sunflowers - just because it was summer from what I could gather) for her birthday and the rhythm and buzz of languages around me was only drowned out by the ooh's and aah's my friend and I kept uttering over plates of delicious delicacies: Pork in apple vinegar and _, fruits-of-the-forest tart, fried green tomatoes (that were not southern style - not even green, but were, essentially, large slices of tomato tempura fried and were amazing!) and even a platter of chianti-soaked wild boar! At a local farmer's market stand (there seemed to be produce stands in every square) we purchased strawberries, tiny berries (like peanut-sized strawberries), blackberries and raspberries for the train journey to Florence. So ripe and delicious and perfect - I've never had a strawberry so perfect!
4. Food. Period.
I'll do a whole blog post or 5 on the food. Maybe divide it by region, or pork vs fish vs appetizers, who knows. All I know is that twice-a-day for 10 days I sat down to what often turned out to be a three-course meal (book-ended by trips to local Gelaterias), local house wine, and never left disappointed. There are 3 keys to always having successful meals abroad:
1) Restaurant Choice. Do not, EVER, eat somewhere where the menu is told in stock-photographs. There must be specials. They must be on a chalkboard. There preferably will be locals eating at the place. The menu will be brief (unlike the picture at right) and include the "typicale" fare for the region. Alleyway restaurants are usually better than the ones with big signs and hawkers on the main square - but not always.
2) Food Choice. Be adventurous, have no expectations, do not be put-off by "we don't have that today" because what the waiter is really saying is "what is on the menu is what is fresh right now and you don't want anything that isn't". (And please, do not ask why the dish does not come with a starch and a veg. Eat like the locals and enjoy it!)
3) Eat with gusto. Delicate bites of precious tiny food is not what eating in a new country is about (unless you are in a country where they are known for their precious tiny food - or New York). Eat like it's your last meal. Throw yourself into every bite, every sip of perfect wine. Take in the landscape - be it an alleyway or sunset over the hilltops - eat and look and listen and the food will literally SPEAK to you.
5. Dracula in the Bargello
Ok, I know this is a strange addition, but necessary. Florence had a magic to it. One day I said "You know we haven't looked for that English Book Exchange" as we stood on a street corner deciding which way to go. Then I peered into the distance and, like magic, there it was at the next corner!
The last day I was in Florence, again blissfully lost away from the tour groups with their pink-umbrella waving guides, I was reading the local notices and saw an ad for a production of Dracula in the Bargello. I did not know what the Bargello was. I did not know why there was an English production of Dracula in Florence for two weeks - but it sounded like fun. Meh - if we run into it, let's get tickets my friend and I decided.
Two hours later I looked up and noticed we were standing next to a medieval castle-turned museum - turned theatre for 2 weeks only while the local English-language community performance troupe performed Dracula in their courtyard.
And so it was I came to be seated in the front row for a theatre-in-the-round performance of Dracula, in the courtyard of a medieval castle, surrounded by large, menacing marble statues lit from below in shades of blood red, and serenaded by bats (who appeared on cue a few times just when they should have. REAL BATS just doing what bats do, zipping around the courtyard, going about their business, and adding an element of creepiness to the performance).
It was a very cool way to finish a vacation. Now, on to AMERICA!
After 10 days in Milan, Vernazza, Pisa and Florence, 600+ photographs, and the most amazing weight-gain experience of my entire lifetime, where could I ever begin to begin about the big 2010 trip to Italy?
I've decided, besides the endless food blogging that will have to take place (I photographed nearly every meal); I should just do a TOP 5 - which is easy to begin...
1. Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy
The "5 lands" are 5 small towns on the North-West coast of Italy that are connected by a railway and hiking paths through a national park (and a road, but it's only accessible for locals in some towns). I visited 4 of the 5 towns: Monterosso del Mare, Corniglia, Manorolo, and Vernazza. Vernazza played home-base for the trip and it was breathtaking, the locals were lovely, the food was amazing and the beach small and lovely.
This whole trip was inspired by my seeing a photograph of Vernazza on the desktop of a presenter at this year's NESA conference in Bangkok. During the break, I mentioned to the man sitting next to me I wanted to know where that picture was taken and he replied "That's not a real place. That's got to be one of those photoshop deals."
Well, I'm here to tell you it WAS a real place - one of the most beautiful, simple, full-of-good-people I've ever been. Can't wait to go back when it's NOT full of tourists.
2. Cinque Terre - the hike from Vernazza to Monterosso
One of the pretties hikes
(with some of the most precipitous drops) I've ever taken. The hike began with an almost 90 degree up-hill climb of the vineyard terraces around Vernazza. Finally, the hike leveled off with spectacular views for miles of rocky coastline along the teal-and-blue waters of the Mediterranean.My friend and I set off early on the hike and didn't encounter many people until we were half done - and they were all coming from the other direction! (The climb on the Monterosso side was more gradual). A two-hour hike later left us sunburned, exhausted, and probably the happiest and most-accomplished I felt the entire trip.
3. Pisa - Off the Beaten Path
I was not looking forward to the Pisa leg of the trip. I thought it would be a waste of time - a tower that leans next to a church; a crush of Summer tourists; a town I'd never heard mentioned besides the tower...why on Earth had we chosen to stay a night in Pisa?
The reason to stay a night in Pisa is EXACTLY the reason for this trip - to discover Italian culture! Sure - the hour or two spent watching tourists contort themselves into ridiculous positions trying to look like they were "holding-up" the tower was fun; but much more interesting was the Pisa I discovered away from the tour-bus drop off point. Pisa is a university town, 100%. Lots of political graffiti, outdoor-events (concerts, movies in the park), great eats, a fabulous historic hotel that has been around since the 11th c. and historical landmarks of scholarly distinction (the sign at the entrance to MENSA University anyone?).
Dinner was at a local, seasonal-sustainable restaurant in a quaint alleyway where a waitress was delivered a huge bouquet of roses and sunflowers (everywhere in Pisa people were walking with small bouquets of sunflowers - just because it was summer from what I could gather) for her birthday and the rhythm and buzz of languages around me was only drowned out by the ooh's and aah's my friend and I kept uttering over plates of delicious delicacies: Pork in apple vinegar and _, fruits-of-the-forest tart, fried green tomatoes (that were not southern style - not even green, but were, essentially, large slices of tomato tempura fried and were amazing!) and even a platter of chianti-soaked wild boar! At a local farmer's market stand (there seemed to be produce stands in every square) we purchased strawberries, tiny berries (like peanut-sized strawberries), blackberries and raspberries for the train journey to Florence. So ripe and delicious and perfect - I've never had a strawberry so perfect!4. Food. Period.
I'll do a whole blog post or 5 on the food. Maybe divide it by region, or pork vs fish vs appetizers, who knows. All I know is that twice-a-day for 10 days I sat down to what often turned out to be a three-course meal (book-ended by trips to local Gelaterias), local house wine, and never left disappointed. There are 3 keys to always having successful meals abroad:
1) Restaurant Choice. Do not, EVER, eat somewhere where the menu is told in stock-photographs. There must be specials. They must be on a chalkboard. There preferably will be locals eating at the place. The menu will be brief (unlike the picture at right) and include the "typicale" fare for the region. Alleyway restaurants are usually better than the ones with big signs and hawkers on the main square - but not always.2) Food Choice. Be adventurous, have no expectations, do not be put-off by "we don't have that today" because what the waiter is really saying is "what is on the menu is what is fresh right now and you don't want anything that isn't". (And please, do not ask why the dish does not come with a starch and a veg. Eat like the locals and enjoy it!)
3) Eat with gusto. Delicate bites of precious tiny food is not what eating in a new country is about (unless you are in a country where they are known for their precious tiny food - or New York). Eat like it's your last meal. Throw yourself into every bite, every sip of perfect wine. Take in the landscape - be it an alleyway or sunset over the hilltops - eat and look and listen and the food will literally SPEAK to you.
5. Dracula in the Bargello
Ok, I know this is a strange addition, but necessary. Florence had a magic to it. One day I said "You know we haven't looked for that English Book Exchange" as we stood on a street corner deciding which way to go. Then I peered into the distance and, like magic, there it was at the next corner!
The last day I was in Florence, again blissfully lost away from the tour groups with their pink-umbrella waving guides, I was reading the local notices and saw an ad for a production of Dracula in the Bargello. I did not know what the Bargello was. I did not know why there was an English production of Dracula in Florence for two weeks - but it sounded like fun. Meh - if we run into it, let's get tickets my friend and I decided.
Two hours later I looked up and noticed we were standing next to a medieval castle-turned museum - turned theatre for 2 weeks only while the local English-language community performance troupe performed Dracula in their courtyard.
And so it was I came to be seated in the front row for a theatre-in-the-round performance of Dracula, in the courtyard of a medieval castle, surrounded by large, menacing marble statues lit from below in shades of blood red, and serenaded by bats (who appeared on cue a few times just when they should have. REAL BATS just doing what bats do, zipping around the courtyard, going about their business, and adding an element of creepiness to the performance).
It was a very cool way to finish a vacation. Now, on to AMERICA!
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