Good And Tired

Wow! So much has happened since last week. They have demos in the theater at school. I was lucky enough to see two great food artist. The first was Chef Kotani, he makes sobo noodles. It was amasing. He took a small piece of dough and worked it into a 40 by 40 inch square. He used three long thin poles. Then he folded and cut the dough into a thousand noodles. It is hard to describe. The other was Chef Cesare Casella, he was instramental in getting the Italian program started. His program was on beans. I never realized how many different kinds of beans there are.
Over the weekend I visited Murray's cheese shop. I wanted to get some things I could munch on at home. They are usually really busy. I got there alittle early and got the grand tour. The man who waited on me told me that cheese was his life. I purchased some: Smoked Speck, Columbus Felino (salame made in Parma), Vacherin Friborseois Alpase (very creamy swiss mountain cheese), Pecorino Ginepro (it is soaked in a bath of balsamic vinegar). These have been great to have around. I usually come home at night and I will pick at the meat and cheeses. This week we had a whole day on cheeses. With a guest lecturer on cheese. Her company is Forever cheese Inc. We got to try and we learned about 11 cheeses. We also made cheese this week. Mozzarella and Ricotta, that was fun. The ricotta was great, and so easy to make.

1. 1 quart whole milk
2. 1/2 teaspoon citric acid (health food store)
3. 1/2 teaspoon salt

cream if needed ( I did not)

Place milk in pot bring to boil not rolling 190 degrees. Add salt and the citric acid, stir. Turn off heat and let rest 10 minutes. Ladle into a strainer lined with cheese cloth. You can let sit one hour, we squeezed the liquid gently and ate it. We put honey and balsamic vinegar on it, YUM. I don't even like cottage cheese.

A couple of my classmates making mozzarella. The chef said the stuff we make at school is just ok. So I won't give you that recipe.

During the rest of the week we made so much. Here is my list.

1. Brushetta All Pomodoro
2. Panzanella ( bread salad, sounds weird but very good)
3. Bagna Cauda ( it means warm bath, dip for vegetables)
4. Vendura Sott'olio ( vegetables in olive oil)
5. Caponata ( great sweet and sour antipasto, Loved it)
6. Insalata Di Funghi ( mushroom salad)
7. Peperoni Arrostiti con Acciughe ( roasted red pepper with anchovies,Very good)
8. Verdure Miste Sott'olio (Mixed vegetables marinated in vinegar)
9. Carciofi Sott'olio ( artichokes in olive oil)
10. Sopressata Di Polpo ( terrine of octopus, we try that next week. I'm not sure I want to, let you know next week)
11. Tartara Di Tonno ( tuna tartar)
12. Ostriche ( oysters)
13. Vogole (clams)
14. Crudi Di Pesce ( raw fish)

This is my caponata and the classes Roasted tomatoes.

We get to try the tomatoes next week.

I can't believe how much we are learning. The chef said most of my food was really good. Some needed more salt or more acid, but most was just very good. I can't believe how much salt we use. None of it taste salty, but I hestitate to use as much as I probably need to use. If I was using enough he would not tell me to salt it, and it is always better.

I come home at night so tired. I feel every one of my 53 years. Learning is hard work. My first test, Italian. Wow, how many years since my last test? I think I did real good I will find out Monday. The only part I am not sure of was the speaking part. I cannot think fast enough to come up with the correct tense. I know it but not nearly fast enough. Hope this gets better.

Cleaned my apartment, washed, and ironed my cloths on Saturday morning. Then went shopping. I got a knife bag to tote my knives back and forth to school. They tell us not to leave them in the lockers. I plan to leave the rest of the tool kit and bring just the knives home. That will take away 10 pounds. After my knife bag was purchased I window shopped all over Soho. Such great stores. I don't understand people talking about a depression. There are people everywhere spending alot of money. I heard a young girl (22 about) say, "I have to have this dress its only 280 dollars. I won't buy a 280 dollar dress just for the heck of it. I was amazed. All the stores are packed morning to night. I studied today and wrote my blog. I will call Steve next and then I will read my kindle. Life is good and tired

Yvonne

I treated myself again, it was so good last week.