...for four Australians, two Americans, a kangaroo and some awesome ('awesome' must be pronounced with an Aussie accent) food - four courses to be exact. Here's what I threw together and maybe it will give you guys an idea for something new when you find yourself in a boring food slump - not a good thing by the way.
(These were all served separately as per traditional Italian meals.)
1 - Crusty bread (cut into small pieces) and Granny Smith apples (sliced thinly) with brie cheese. Olive oil and balsamic with spices was another dipper for the bread and cups of olives on the side.
1 - Crusty bread (cut into small pieces) and Granny Smith apples (sliced thinly) with brie cheese. Olive oil and balsamic with spices was another dipper for the bread and cups of olives on the side.
*Wine - brut Canel Prosecco with this course (Italian champagne), made in the town of Vazzola, which is right above Venice, which is only two hours from Verona. The Kangaroo approved. http://www.canelvinipregiati.com/uk/default.htm
2 - Mushroom Parmesan Risotto, I sauteed mushrooms and garlic in olive oil then poured the water and risotto rice on top in the same pan. When the rice was almost ready, I stirred in about two cups of shredded parmesan. (Real parmesan from Parma, Italy - bought a chunk and shredded myself, it's to die for, Kraft Parmesean (sp?) tastes like plastic after you've had real parmesan cheese from Italy.) http://www.parmaitaly.com/parmigianok.html
2 - Mushroom Parmesan Risotto, I sauteed mushrooms and garlic in olive oil then poured the water and risotto rice on top in the same pan. When the rice was almost ready, I stirred in about two cups of shredded parmesan. (Real parmesan from Parma, Italy - bought a chunk and shredded myself, it's to die for, Kraft Parmesean (sp?) tastes like plastic after you've had real parmesan cheese from Italy.) http://www.parmaitaly.com/parmigianok.html
*Wine - Valpolicella 2006 from Soave, Italy, which makes it a local wine for us in Verona. Soave is not only in our province, Veneto, but it's only about 30 minutes away. (Try Soave, the wine, it's an inexpensive white wine that isn't too sweet - Veronese people drink Soave like water in the summer time.) http://www.cantinasoave.it/
3 - Broiled potatoes, eggplant and zucchini. Soaked it all in olive oil, garlic and spices then roasted it under the broiler. Poured fresh lemon on top before serving. Italians are known for eating their salads last, but that really goes for all vegetable courses, not just salad - it helps digestion.
*The kangaroo was getting drunk at this point so we continued drinking the same bottle of Valpolicella.
4 - Melted chocolate with cut fresh fruit (strawberries, kiwi, bananas). I always use two pans to heat up chocolate (mixed mostly dark with some milk chocolate), one pan to boil water then the pan with the chocolate on top of the boiling water to avoid burning it. I added milk and stirred until the consistency was perfect for drizzling on the fruit.
*Cafè and grappa is properly served at this point, but us Southerners prefer Jack Daniels. The kangaroo then passed out on the couch with a cigarette in his mouth, he was satisfied.
Well there's a dinner blog, a.k.a. I'm bored and it's storming outside. ;)
Love to everyone, ciao ciao!
