Buttermilk Bars

Look, buttermilk bars! Okay they're not really buttermilk bars, they're buttermilk balls. Alright they're not buttermilk balls either, they're called Castegnole. (Food mirages are not uncommon when you've been without traditional American fare for as many years as I have.) These are one of the many -- too many! -- delicious sweets prepared exclusively during the Carnevale season in Italy. Little balls of dough traditionally fried in lard and pictured here smothered in honey. Carnevale, or IMardi Gras, is celebrated here forty days before Easter, as a final party before Ash Wednesday and the restrictions of Lent. It's too bad I'm not a practicing Catholic because after eating several of these, Lent is not a bad idea.
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Mannequin Parts

I would ask if taking this photo makes me weird, but by now I think we already know that answer.
Just seeing if you're awake. A Belated Happy Valentine's Day!
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Music Video Flashback

Davy Jones, Daydream Believer.  I think he was my first crush!  Rest in peace.

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Tangerine Time

Oh my darling clementine! Pronounced differently here that's what we call this fruit in our neck of the woods, clementine. Although these are from Sorrento, several hours south of us. Anyway, we bought a crate from a fellow selling them off his truck. All throughout the year you can find roadside trucks selling fruits and vegetables -- as well as porchetta, but that's another delicious story. Winter is the season for citrus. In Italy, Italians as a general rule only eat fruits and vegetables that are in season. For one, they're more affordable because they're more plentiful. Secondly, they taste better! Coming from California to Umbria I was a little spoiled and dismayed when I couldn't readily find a huge variety of fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs whenever I wanted. It's one of those things like stores closing for several hours in the middle of the day. You learn to appreciate the reasons why and go/eat with the flow!
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Sunday Grill

 

















Check out these bad boys! Sunday nights we most always cook something in the fireplace over wood coals and I enjoy a Bloody Mary cocktail or two -- okay always two. Amore has a Prosecco. Italians are purists and he is put off by the amount of diverse ingredients I use to make a Bloody and refuses to even try a sip. I'm okay with that, it means more for me! In addition to grilled meat or even sometimes fish, we usually enjoy bruschetta too. A grilled piece of common bread with fresh garlic rubbed on it, a drizzle of olive oil and some sea salt. Sometimes I buy a jar of grilled peppers and top off the brushetta with one of two pieces for a little variety. The steaks are grilled naked as they are al sangue, which means rare. Again, afterwards a drizzle of fresh olive oil, salt and pepper and I like a spritz of fresh lemon over my grilled meats. Simple is good. Those Italians know what they're doing! Except for Bloody Mary's.
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Music Video Flashback

Shirley Ellis, The Name Game.  Makes me giggle when I think how we delighted in singing Chuck's name.

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Happy New Year!

Wishing you a peaceful and joyous New Year!

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