Food, Fun & Shopping

I spent Tuesday morning with Samia, Hayley, Birgit and the cooking class learning about Italian Cooking. It was really nice to sit in between two friends and take the class; we shared fantastic food and, as always, learned some great recipes and tips, i.e. don’t ever cook with really good EVOO – there’s no purpose in it – the heat destroys all of the nutritional value. Just regular Olive Oil will do!

Myself & Hayley -

Birgit & Me -

I love this kind of stuff and Paul, of course, loves it. Since his family is Italian he was especially interested in the menu and delighted to hear about the Roasted Chicken recipe (one of his all-time favorites). I had actually roasted up two chickens the Sunday night before using Samia’s recipe from her book. Absolutely delightful! I should have gotten a picture of that! AND, I was wearing my naughty apron that says, “Dip Me in Chocolate and Call me Dessert!” LOL

Here was the menu for Italian Interpretations:

Crab Ravioli with a Tomato, Vodka & Cream Sauce (TOO DIE FOR!!!!)

Ragout of Mushrooms with Cream & Fresh Pasta

Farafelle with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts & Pine Nuts

Mixed Baby Greens with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Slow-Oven Roasted Chicken

Sauteed Spinach with Olive Oil & Lemon

Tiramisu

Yes, many of these recipes have dairy and you guys know I don’t eat dairy, but I did have to sacrifice a few days of digestive health for the greater good and try these out! Wow!

Enoki Mushrooms -

I’m now, more than ever, ready to make my own pasta. Samia exhibited all of the steps (see pictures below) and told us how to dye the pasta, make special types (lasagna blankets with herbs pressed in between two sheets – see below – Samia used her signature Coriander Leaves in the pasta)!

After we had partaken of all of the good food, Birgit and I headed out to Holland Village to “raid” Pantry Magic and Phoon Huat! We had a lot of fun; I finally got a food mill! Oh, yeah, I’m easily amused and pleased! I also picked up some spatulas and Madagascar Vanilla – yum!

Birgit showed me some great places to eat and then we headed into Phoon Huat – another fantastic gourmet shop and I found Brown Sugar along with Sliced Almonds. So, I would say I’m well stocked for some good meals. And after all of his hard work, Paul deserves some gourmet meals to keep him going!

I’m going to another class tomorrow (Arabian Nights) so I’ll have even more to share later. Birgit and I are going shopping after that class, too. Smile…

A Variation on Serving Individually - Tiramasu