ARRIVEDERCI!

Hello taste explorers!

Hope you are ok and that you are up for a bit of Italian culture in tomato sauce. This may be the case if your long journey in the cyber space brought you here so why not follow this blog on its new home: http://papunette.wordpress.com/

See you there!

Childhood Food: Cotoletta alla Milanese e Fior di Fragola

Well, in a way it could be worse. Broken heating in January for example. For now, there is just something wrong with the hot water system. I think it may be something related to the pressure. The hot water doesn’t run if the radiators are not on and because it’s July, although in London, the heating system only gets on at 30C!
It’s bloody hot now in the flat, it looks like a hot Italian summer night. When you keep turning in the bed because it’s simply too hot, and that’s just an excuse not to sleep. From the open window someone is speaking loudly, but all inside is quiet, just the rest is noise.
Back in time, I used to spend summers with my grandparents when the schools were closed in this big house in a North West village near Turin, with 19th Century factories still up and running, in a period, late 80s, when there was abundance, people were carefree and didn’t care about global warming, gasoline’s price or mortgages.

LOST IN ROME- PASTA ALL'AMATRICIANA

Is Rome the most beautiful city in the world?
It is difficult to say, as every great city has got its own soul and beauty, but for sure Rome is one of those worth a visit at least once in a life time. Some places are so stunning to have become an icon of the city itself and evenly swarmed with tourists. What’s more than a strolling under the ancient Latin walls of the Coliseum, with fancy gladiators posing next to you, a challenge to the mysterious pagan Mouth of Truth or throwing a coin in the baroque magnificence of the Trevi fountain?
Its continuous flux of tourists shows that Rome is still an all desired destination in the hearts of the many, but sometimes a sweaty and loud crowd can really put you off even in front of such wonders.

Mirto Liqueur

Sunday evening, BBQ on the roofs of Shoreditch. Even though the weather was awful. Thanks to my intrepid friends. In this big city, in this multicultural mix that is London, I bring a taste of Italy in a bottle of Mirto.
A faithful friend of sleepless and sweaty nights spent under the moon of warm Sardinian summers. I can feel the warm breeze from the Mediterranean Sea, sit in the old town centre of Alghero, the voices of my Sardinian friends and the cool sweet taste of mirto liquor.
It is bizarre how everyone seems to know Limoncello and not this sweet aromatic counterpart from Sardinia. A sweet natural liqueur with digestive properties, made by macerating myrtle berries (myrtus communis), which grows generous and wild in the Sardinian island, with alcohol and sugar.

PUFF-PUFF

What if the world paid attention before it was too late?

What if we start to fight injustice and raise awareness of social issues using the arts? What about taking arts back from pure commoditisation to their political and social purposes?
These are the questions and aims of the Artivist Collective, an American born group of concerned global citizens which combines visual arts and activism in the belief that the arts can change the world. It may sound overwhelming or the dream of a bunch of old-fashioned hippies, but it is a real project, which has taken concrete forms like the Artivist Film Festival.

Showcased in London at the Shawn Theatre, the festival was an international occasion to raise public awareness of human and animal rights and ecological issues and it truly represents an invaluable chance to watch independent films, meet socially conscious artists, have your say and shed some light on the hottest issues of our contemporary world.
Since its first iteration in 2004, the festival has travelled all around the world, representing over 45 countries, reaching and connecting millions of people.

DELIA'S PORK CHOPS WITH MUSHROOMS AND CREME FRAICHE

What is culture? For most of the people, culture is philosophy, painting, poetry and all the so-called high or noble arts. However, culture is part of our daily life. Even when we don’t think of it, we assimilate, share and exchange culture in countless little ways.
Food is one of these. When we share our food, when we try a dish from another country our knowledge get richer, besides the pleasure of a nice meal!
That’s the mission of this blog, just to try to get to know each other a bit better. Let’s face it. Socialization is not easy in a big city, especially when we commute to work drowsy in the morning and back home tired in the evening, but also during the worst day we keep learning something.

PEAR, GORGONZOLA AND WALNUT SALAD

Another piece of Italy, told trough its tastes. A simple and hearthy salad with an intense flavour. Thanks to a special ingredient, Gorgonzola cheese. If you have never seen Gorgonzola, think of Blue cheese, they look pretty much the same. I personally love Gorgonzola because it is so versatile that can be used in countless recipes and at the same time I hate it because it is so good that I always end up eating too much of it.

Typically made in Northern Italy, Piedmont and Lombardy areas in particular, Gorgonzola definitely reminds me of home. A creamy cheese rich in tradition and with an antique flavour. A real taste of home.

I know that at the moment things are quite mess up down there, and I am saddened when, asked where I come from, people answer just with an “Ah” full of implications.

Sometimes I feel I should be there and do something, resist. But I am here, pursuing my dreams and my career. Italy has never been an easy country. It is so full of contradictions, beauty and misery that it is difficult even for me to understand it.

POLENTA AND SAUSAGES

Here’s my favourite winter recipe: polenta and sausages or “pulenta e sausissa” as they say in my area. I am pretty sure you know polenta already, as it has become fairly popular even outside Italy. Essentially it is corn flour and water. Add cheese and sausages and it becomes one of the most delicious meals ever. It is a typical northern Italian winter recipe, but I love it so much that I can even eat it in August when outside it is 30°C! If you go skiing in the Alps you can’t miss it, if you are staying home you can try to make it yourself. Not to mention that it is a very cheap and filling meal for the whole family. Also children will love it.

RICOTTA AND HAZELNUT CAKE

Ricotta is a typical Italian dairy product, produced in different Italian areas, from North to South.
Literally it means "recooked", it is as white as snow and the taste quite sweet with a nubby texture makes it ideal in dessert preparation or with fruits like bananas or berries. I eat it with everything really, from chocolate to tomatoes or spinach or just on its own on bread. Generally fairly low in calories, you can eat it without any concern as it is light and healthy. It is cheap and very easy to find in England too. Check in your local Italian delicatessen, or in any supermarket. Even my local “Cost-cutter” has it.

KING PRAWNS IN PINK VODKA SAUCE

To go back to a normal and healthy diet after the Christmas revelries there is time. I will start my detox, for sure, but I need a week to chill out and realize that I am back to routine. So, an indulgent starter to make the return easier.
Relax, take your time, the New Year has just started!


(For 4 people)
12 Fresh King Prawns
2 egg yolks
A pint of oil
Lemon juice
Ketchup
Salt
A dash of Vodka

SORREL DRINK

Back to London. Festivities are over. Holidays went so quick! Well, they always do, but even more this time. It was nice to see friends and family, my lovely hometown by the Alps and spending New Year’s Eve on the snow. I love them all, but I am happy to be back to the Big Smoke. So many opportunities to take and things to learn. I love London. Since I have been living here my perception of the world is changed: it is not as big as I use to consider it, but with so many friends spread around, it is like a village, a global village.