Yup, We're Still Eating Over Here

Before I get to more gustatory adventures of Meri and Alex, I'd like to announce that it's February! And, because I brought my wonderful Sam calendar to Italy, I still get to enjoy a delightful new picture every month. February 1st I was greeted by Zoolander telling me that I'm "really, really, ridiculously good looking." It will surely be a boost my self-esteem every morning.

However, Modena has not been really, really, ridiculously good looking. In fact, it looks pretty gross. Yesterday was fog. Today was rain. Ick.

But, that doesn't stop Alex and me from searching for delicious food. Yesterday we went to Mercato Albinelli once again to buy some wonderful bread and produce to make our own meals.

Fresh kale and spinach.

Green beans (a favorite of Alex's).

Tomatoes. We go through a kilo of these in a day, no problem.

My salad creation: spinach, arugula, kale, green beans, tomatoes, crumbled parmigiano, balsamic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Deliciousness.

Today we went out for lunch to a pizza place that does Naples-style pizza. It was amazing.

First pizza: Napoli. San Marzano tomato sauce, cheese, oregano, and anchovies. I don't know the word for anchovies in Italian so I was a little surprised when they showed up on the pizza.

Next up: D.O.C. pizza. San Marzano tomato sauce, cheese, cherry tomatoes, and basil. Very classic. Very yummy.

Third and final (for two people--I swear we aren't actually pigs): 4 cheese.

Just look at that ooey-gooey goodness.

And we polished off each and every one of those pizzas.

I am quite full.

-Meri

Happy Birthday Mama Medoway

This birthday present is coming way late. Like, over a month late.

But you know what? That's how we do it in this family. Why? Because we like for celebrations to last as long as humanly possible. We can stretch a holiday/birthday/anniversary/etc. like no other.

So, despite it being way past my mom's birthday, I still owed her part of her birthday gift: a special dinner with a menu chosen completely by her.

She decided on:

Avocado Vichyssoise

I garnished with parsley instead of cilantro because my mom might have actually blown a fuse if she tasted said herb.

Artichoke Spinach Pizza with White Beans

This was one intense pizza. It had a white bean cream sauce topped with sauteed leeks and spinach, artichoke hearts, white beans, parmesan, mozzarella, and italian herbs.

I chose to do a sourdough crust because I needed to use Oscar, my sourdough starter. Woah. He made a delicious crust. And, I had extra dough so I grilled it for bread sticks (not pictured--eaten too fast--okay, I actually just forgot) and little flat breads with goat cheese, tomatoes, and basil.

Actually, I lied. My mom didn't choose the whole menu. I found this cake recipe a long time ago and knew immediately that I must make it for my mother at some point. It screams Darcia.

And don't skimp on the poppy seeds. It will seem like you are using way too much, but you're not. Just have faith. And bring a toothpick.

Oh, and I made a salad. Not for dessert. But a salad is always a good addition to dinner.

And she loved all of it! Now I just have to make my sister and my aunt's birthday dinner...

-Meri

Foodie Gifts

As I mentioned in my previous post about Garlic! Fettucine, food gifts are not uncommon in my house. It gets a little ridiculous when it comes to the presents I receive.

For every gift-giving occasion, I request cooking tools. Friends and relatives often add edible components to these gifts. And this Christmas was no exception.



I think at least five people gave me food. My mommy gave me couscous and my aunt Donna gave me Puy lentils.

Both are incredible.

When I open the jar to the couscous, it smells like Italy. When I open the box of lentils, it smells like... Well, it smells like nothing-but they taste delicious!



I decided to make a dish containing both foodie endowments because lentils+carbs=a complete protein. There are 8 essential amino acids that the body must obtain from outside sources because it cannot make them on its own (like the other 12 amino acids). When lentils are combined with a starch like rice, or couscous in this case, the body gets a dose of all 8!

Yay!

This salad was so yummy and filling. Plus, it has sun-dried tomatoes-one of my favorite foods on the planet. I could eat a jar plain.

Get your protein. Make this dish. It's yummy.



Couscous and Lentils with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Ingredients:
-1/2 cup couscous
-1/2 cup Puy lentils
-1 10 oz package of chopped spinach
-1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (I use the ones preserved in herbed olive oil)
-olive oil from the sun-dried tomato can
-juice from half a lemon
-pinch of red pepper flakes
-salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Defrost the spinach and squeeze out the extra liquid.
2. Put the couscous in a pot. Boil 3/4 cup of water and pour over the couscous. Cover the pot and let sit for 10 minutes. When all the water is absorbed, fluff the couscous with a fork.
3. Put the lentils in a pot. Add water until there is about an inch of water covering the lentils. Bring the water to a boil and add salt. Boil for about 20 minutes until cooked, but still firm. You want the lentils to keep their shape. Drain the lentils.
4. Add the couscous, drained lentils, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes to a bowl and mix to combine.
5. Add a drizzle of the olive oil from the can of sun-dried tomatoes (this oil is infused with herbs and adds extra flavor). Squeeze in the juice from half a lemon and add the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
6. Stir the ingredients and taste to see if the seasoning is right.



Enjoy!

-Meri