Happy Weekend!

Hi everyone!
I'm working on some new posts, they should be up soon...including (finally) lots of PIZZA!!
Have a great weekend!

A presto!

The Jersey Shore....In Italy!

No! Please. Please!!! PLEASE!?!?!?

It's just been confirmed that season 4 of the popular MTV show 'Jersey Shore' will be filmed somewhere in the old country. I don't really even know where to begin, even though I imagined this worst case senario a while ago. ( In this case, maybe worst case "Situation" is more appropriate?)

I can't wait to see what will go down and how MTV portrays life in Italy. Needless to say, the show will be MTV "reality," not Italian reality!

I do have just one small idea...the producers should throw a real Italian in the house. That would make things interesting. What about Berlusconi? He's always ready for a bit of fun...

Santa Maria Incoronata

Italy is packed with an astonishing number of churches, but yesterday I visited one that is a bit different. The Church of Santa Maria Incoronata, on via Medina near Piazza Municipio, is definitely worth a quick visit.

This church was founded in the mid-14th century by Queen Giovanna I. The name Santa Maria Incoronata refers both to the crowning of the Queen and to a precious relic she donated to the church. As legend goes, she gave a thorn from the crown of thorns used on Jesus during his torture and death. Looking at the main entrance of the church, there is the relief of two angels holding this 'crown.'

Instead of going up stairs to enter like most churches, you have to go down to the original 14th century street level. In Rome, it's a fairly well-known fact that over the years the street level has risen significantly. However, I never knew a similar phenomenon happened here in Naples! The street level was raised in the 16th century when work was being done on the nearby Castel Nuovo.

The design of the church is different from most. Entering, you can see that there are two naves of similar, if not equal, dimensions. (The nave is the main approach to the atlar. A more typical structure would have one nave with an aisle on either side of it.) This odd design is probably because the church took over the space once occupied by the Regio Tribunale.

Unfortunately, the frescos inside the Church of Santa Maria Incoronata are not in the best condition. Some of the frescos painted by Roberto Oderisio in the mid-14th century are still on the walls, while others are literally piled into the Chapel of the Cross. There is also a cycle of frescos depicting Saint Ladislov by an unknown artist from the early 15th century. Just imagine if everything was in the right place!!!

Oh George!

Even George Clooney loves Italy!

He owns a villa on the shores of Lake Como.

He has a beautiful Italian girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis.

As of late, Mr. Clooney has been showing his face around Italy a lot. On TV and in advertisements, that is. He's the brand-new spokesman for the Italian internet provider Fastweb. Clooney has also been doing ads for the Nespresso coffee maker, including some rather clever TV commercials alongside John Malkovich.

(And he probably digs the food, too!)

Hold On!

I just wanted to let you all know that I'm having some technical difficulties with my computer right now!! :( Hopefully everything gets sorted out ASAP, but I'll be back with a post tomorrow for sure!

A presto!

Ceci con Rosmarino e Peperoncino

Chickpeas don't get a lot of love. Either they're mashed up in hummus or served up cold and lonely on the salad bar. This super simple recipe gives the chickpea the treatment it deserves! I first tasted this dish as an antipasto in a little Roman restaurant near the Pantheon. Coated in olive oil infused with garlic, rosemary and peperoncino, these ceci took on a new life. So simple, and disturbingly good for a dish that takes literally of 10 minutes to make!

Ceci con Rosmarino e Peperoncino

Chickpeas, drained

Garlic

Sprig of fresh rosemary

Peperoncino flakes

Olive oil

salt, pepper

Cover the bottom of your pan with olive oil and put it over a medium flame.

Throw in a clove or two of garlic and use this Italian trick. Carefully hold the pan so the oil pools to one side. This way the garlic, fully immersed in the hot oil, will cook thoroughly and not burn as easily.* Once the garlic starts to get golden, add in the rosemary and peperoncino flakes. Let the flavors meld while the garlic keeps cooking. Set the pan normally on the burner and add the chickpeas. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, just to make sure the beans are warmed. Salt and pepper to suit your taste and enjoy!

(*Just to illustrate the method. Notice I wrote hold the pan carefully and not prop it up on the coffee maker. We don't need any hot oil incidents here! )

The key to this easy recipe is using enough olive oil. There should be more than enough to fry the garlic and to coat the chickpeas. Once you're done devouring the ceci, look and you've got a nice pool of a spicy, rosemary olive oil left. Go in for the kill with some fresh bread. It's too good to leave behind!

Buon appetito!

At Home Sfogliatelle 2

Take a look!

Not bad, right?

All in all, my sfogliatelle came out pretty well. They obviously did not, however, turn out like the ones direct from the pastry shop. The crust on mine is much heavier and almost cookie-like, while the filling is not quite as thick and creamy. Nevertheless, they are still good. Pretty darn good, if I may say so myself.

Let me know if you decide to try the recipe!

Buon appetito!