love thursday: how to make a cappuccino with love
You all know that I love espresso (duh), but the way I love it most is actually in cappuccino.
I haven’t been enjoying *too* many of these lately because of the hot weather, but for me, anytime is a great time for a capp’, so here’s how I make mine at home–without a fancy machine. And here’s another way if you’re into those new fangled blenders and whatnot: At-Home Cappuccino.
So, I brew a pot of espresso, and in the meantime add sugar to the cup:
I put a small pot of milk on the stove to heat, and when it’s steaming hot, I whisk the milk to make foam.
Then I pour some espresso into the cup (as much as I need/can handle!), stir well to mix in the sugar and then pour in the foam:
Then I give it another stir for good measure, remove the spoon and marvel at just how much I love cappuccino.
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
What food or drink says LOVE to you?
Peaches Soaked in Red Wine a.k.a. Drunken Peaches
This week’s What’s Cooking Wednesday recipe comes straight from my Italian-American grandmother, who introduced me to alcohol by offering me a peach slice that had been soaking in red wine for goodness knows how long. I don’t know how old I was, but I do remember having to look *up* at the kitchen table to accept said peach slice.
To be fair, I was always smallish.
Peaches in red wine are a great simple summer dessert after you’ve enjoyed a fabulous meal and want the party to last just a little bit longer. They are also great as an afternoon pick-me-up, and depending on the strength of the wine, this could pick you up *and* spit you out. But you’ll enjoy every moment!
So the ingredients this week are few–no, not even, they’re couple.
Peaches Soaked in Red Wine or Drunken Peaches
1. You need some red wine; if your father-in-law makes it like mine does, all the better.
Kindly note of our fancy wine glasses. Yes, they are Nutella glasses. You see, we’re paesani and real wine glasses rarely make it out of the cabinet.
2. You need fresh, ripe peaches.
For those of you who don’t like peaches because of the fuzz, this recipe is for you since I recommend peeling the peaches before soaking.
Peel, remove the pit, slice, and place in a glass of red wine. Let soak for as long as you can stand it. I usually leave them in the wine for about 10 to 20 minutes.
3. Enjoy each delicious slice one at a time with sips of wine in between if you like.
Notice, as well, our fancy plastic plates. What you see is what you get, faithful readers — there ain’t no fancying up peaches soaked in red wine in this house.
But they’re still pretty, don’t you think?
Tasty too.
Buon appetito!
Do you soak your fruit in alcohol? Do tell!
Settling Into Southern Italy
In the last group of questions, two specifically addressed my settling into life here in southern Italy. I shall do my best to answer them. (Not sure why these photos aren’t very crisp, but please do click on them to see them in better quality on Flickr.)
(1) AmberBee of Under Western Skies, formerly of Quasi Italiana!, asked “Do you think that you would feel as settled in a large city, or do you think your small community there (and the fact that you can get to know everyone) has helped you feel welcome there, and that it is really ‘home?’ Do you think your happiness quotient would have changed had you lived in a different part of Italy… Or would Italy have been ‘home’ no matter where you live there?”
This is an excellent question, AmberBee. Let me say that I felt at home in this village from the first time I visited, when I knew no one, spoke no Italian let alone Calabrese and had a very responsible job and promising career ahead of me in the States.
When I was here that first time, I felt like my soul connected with this place on a level I couldn’t make sense of myself. I cried when it when it was time to go home, even though I knew I would be back. In fact, I knew a few days into my trip that I would live here–a silly proposition, really, for someone who couldn’t speak the language and knew no one in the country.
I didn’t know when I would live here and for how long, but it was almost like I didn’t have a choice. And looking back, I’m not sure I did.
When I did go back to the States for a few months, this place pulled me back every day even though I was perfectly happy to spend hours on end with my niece and nephew there. But there was just *something* inside of me telling me where I needed to be, and it was here.
No, I don’t think it’s “Italy” in general or even “Calabria” that I call “home.” It’s this village. And yes, I do think that P, his family and the welcoming neighbors have helped me get settled, and I believe that’s exactly the way it was meant to be.
I hope that answers your question.
(2) Vita asked: “Do you have some philosophy or view point about that – like that Italians have simpler, happier lives? I know that’s a very personal question and I know people have asked about what you miss in the States and I’ve read those posts (coffee, etc..) but I’m wondering about more esoteric ideas – like the way Americans are direct. The way things get done more efficiently – or, have you somehow moved through that and found that the way of life in Italy is somehow more satisfying to your soul?”
Oh Vita, where can I begin? I’m not a high-strung person by nature. The rat race never attracted me even when I was in school with quite a few rats (and snakes and worms, etc.). I don’t need things done yesterday, and I certainly don’t need everything I could ever imagine available to me 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Quite frankly, I don’t need very many “things” at all.
So is the laid-back, simpler Italian (village) lifestyle more satisfying to my soul? Well, I’d say yes. I have simple needs when it comes right down to it, and as a Libra, I can even be overwhelmed by too many choices.
But do I think Italians are happier because of the general way of life here? Intrinsically, no, I don’t think so. I know a lot of Italians who get just as fed up with inefficiency and waiting as the average American would and who would love to give Telecom and, ahem, Berlusconi a swift kick where the sole don’t shine.
Here’s my thing: Happiness is an individual thing, and I’m lucky/blessed to be in charge of my own happiness–not everyone has this luxury. Even better, every moment gives me a new opportunity to choose happiness. How cool is that?
I’ve found my happy place, quite literally, and no, it’s not paradise all the time, but what fun would life be if there were no lemons? You all know I love lemons.
More questions answered next Monday!
If you have any, leave them in the comments!
dancing, cooking, fashion and babies
And yet no kitchen sink.
Anyhoo, I’m back to answering your questions, and today we’re going to address some light-hearted ones—tune in tomorrow for the more philosophical edition.
(1) Wanderlust Scarlett of From the Shores of Introspect and Retrospect wants to know if I dance.
Hmm…well…are you sitting down?
Once upon a time in high school I was a cheerleader.
So during those two years, dancing was pretty mandatory at least to the extent of cheerleading routines (and I still remember parts of some of them!). Overall, I would say I can keep the beat fairly well, but I have never taken any formal dance lessons so unlike nearly every Italian around me, I can’t do the fancy stuff.
That said, I am so *not* one to get up and dance just for the fun of it or at weddings, etc., except for some fooling around in my house. But I do love to sing! In private. I’m rather shy actually.
(2) Sue (blogless as of now) wants to know if I make up all of the recipes listed on my ‘recipe’ tab myself? “Or, have they been handed down, found in books, etc.? More importantly, do you ever have to refer to a recipe card to make things or are you one of those women who has it all in her head?”
OK, well I certainly didn’t make up all the recipes. I try to relay the story of each recipe as I post them—so that something from my grandmother, like Italian Wedding Soup, or from my grandmother’s neighbor Louise (Louise’s Banana Cake!) is credited as such.
I do get some from books as well like the Calabrian Cuzzupa recipe from Cucina di Calabria by Mary Amabile Palmer and Ricotta Pound Cake from Dolce Italiano by Gina DePalma. And now, I also find lots of things to try online and mention that in the write-ups.
And I definitely follow recipes when it’s something new that I’ve never made before. Many of the everyday dishes I make, though, are just in my head (although I do try to record them here to share!).
(3) Sue also wants to know whether I dress more like an American or an Italian.
This is a bit difficult to answer since I live in a small town in Italy, which means people are so *not* dressing like they do in Milan. Actually people in this village dress pretty much like small town America, from what I remember of it.
So let’s get at this from a different angle. Do I do designer labels? No. And if you’re talking stereotypical Italian fashion for women (including stilettos, super tight jeans), nope, don’t do it at all—but neither do a lot of the Italian women around here.
I wear what I like and what I think is flattering on me—so much of Italian fashion just isn’t. Plus I’m not much into trends; I prefer classic. Eh, I wear what I wear. Punto e basta.
(4) Flurrious wrote: I have a question about this recent Twitter entry of yours: ‘Back from the dentist. No pain meds offered. Apparently I look like I want to build up pain resistance for childbirth.’ And my question is: tap tap tap tap … well?”
I answered this originally in the comments but this was fun enough to repeat here for those who didn’t see it, so here’s my response:
Ahem. Gulp. Let’s just say that one Novocaine-less trip to the dentist hasn’t prepared me for much of anything. Except having more of a fear of returning.
And I know Paul of Crazy Like Whoa has been itching to ask baby questions, so hopefully this will satisfy that craving.
Hah! Get it? Craving!
OK, tomorrow, more answers about adjusting to life in southern Italy!
P.S. The photos are all of prickly pear cactus flowers from May.
1st of the month featured bloggers: august
This month I’ve selected five featured bloggers.
This is because Frances of BlogJem has declared Blog About Five Things Week based on an idea from Ben Yoskovitz based on Problogger Darren Rowse’s Group Writing Project from a while back.
Got that?
[By the way, I participated in the Group Writing Project with Top 5 Italian Words You Don’t Want to Mispronounce. There will soon be a new group writing project at Problogger, so stay tuned!]
OK, so the point is that since I was going to feature a blogger or two anyway today, I thought, why not five?
So here are five of my favorite writing related sites–some about the craft, some by my favorite writers:
1. Burnettiquette by Miami Herald columnist James Burnett. The tagline is “Where common sense meets the news.” Love it! I dare you to go visit him and leave without pondering some great social ill, current event or trend. Simply fabulous.
2. NYC/Caribbean Ragazza. This is a gal who packed up her life in Los Angeles as a Hollywood film exec and moved it to Rome where now she’s collaborating with an Italian screenwriter on a new film. Amazing story, amazing woman. Must read.
3. The Golden Pencil by Anne Wayman. So much excellent advice here for writers from technique to the business end, and lots of great job opportunities posted as well. I’d definitely recommend subscribing if you’re a freelance writer.
4. The (Mis)Adventures of a Single City Chick by Christina Arbini. Christina’s was one of the very first blogs I read, and I cannot wait to read one of her books. Publishers, you listening?! Christina has such enthusiasm and passion for writing (and for life), it’s hard to leave her blog without smiling. Don’t you love that?
5. distraction no. 99 by Nova Ren Suma. Nova writes so honestly and openly about her writing process, rejections *and* acceptances that I feel like I’m right there with her. And thank goodness she lets me be–it’s a wonderful ride.
By the way, if you’re looking to spark creativity, making these “five lists” is a great method. You may even find that you want to expand each one and write a whole post about it. Look! A whole week of posts!
How do you come up with blog post ideas?
Buon weekend!
P.S. Can you believe it’s August already?! Gah!
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
Calabria Guidebook
Recipes
