Deb and La

The US vs John Lennon

2010-06-27T21:22:00.044+01:00

You know we love food, but we also deeply love cinema; especially cinema that makes you think and that sometimes teaches you a bit of history.
I recently watched this documentary on the life of John Lennon, because I heard about it on the radio and was really happy I did. People of my generation might not be familiar with John Lennon & Yoko Ono's battles for peace: it was much more than pretty songs. They really exposed their own lives and personas for peace, they were really amazing.
All that you'll watch in this movie is still so relevant to today's world it's almost sad, as it feels that not much has changed.
I strongly recommend this movie as it is a great insight into the life of John Lennon, not just as musician, but very much as political figure. It is also an incredible journey through American contemporary history.

Risotto or Farrotto?

2010-05-31T12:19:00.010+01:00

That is the question!
Hi all, this time I'm going to talk about an excellent alternative to risotto as main dish.
In Italian cooking, we tend to have primi piatti/first courses based on carbs, either pasta or rice, but I recently found out about how farro/spelt can be cooked exactly like risotto (riso + otto, otto being an Italian suffix to describe something plumpy and cute), that's why I'm going to call the result farrotto (farro + otto)!
In addition, because it's very easy and yummy to add some proteins to a primo piatto/first course, your risotto or farrotto can easily turn into an excellent main!

In this picture you can see farrotto with asparagus, chicory (endivia) and scamorza cheese. It looks a bit reddish because I only had red wine to cook the spelt with. You just need to be creative with your favourite risotto recipe and use dry spelt instead of the rice: same procedure, same cooking time, but probably a new flavour. The texture of the spelt grain is also very enjoyable and tasty. Just give it a go and comment on how it went!

Purple Soup, Purple Soup

2010-01-31T13:57:00.007Z

Hi all,

I know you missed us... So we're back! Back with an amazingly colourful suggestion for your winter meals.
If you love veggies and soups and your favourite colour is purple, then this is the advice you've been waiting for.
I am a big fan of minestrone, as it'a great tummy-soothing food after a long busy day and I alway try to add some cabbage to it. I recently bought red cabbage to see if I can cook it and when I found myself chopping up vegetables for my next minestrone I just added a good amount of red cabbage to the mix and... Behold! As it cooked, everything else took on a purple colour, especially potatoes and, later on, the pasta I added. In terms of lavours, red cabbage tastes like the white one: very delicate and it mixes perfectly with other traditional minestrone veggies. My personal suggestion is to have borlotti beans in the mix as they complete wonderfully the sweet cabbage flavour.

So, red cabbage can be more than a purple side, enjoy!

Veggies I love you

2009-06-02T18:08:00.008+01:00

Veggies are that kind of food that go with everything. I almost never end a meal without a veggie serving. They are so colorful, versatile and varied that you can easily find new ways of cooking and taste them. That's why I never feel like I've had it with them. Moreover they generally contain a small proportion of protein and fat, and a relatively high proportion of vitamins, provitamins, minerals, fiber and carbohydrates. Many vegetables also may have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticarcinogenic properties. You see, they are recommended! The great news is that they can be as tasty as you wish and can be a side dish as well as a main course depending on your fantasy. So together with a great amount of healthy properties you will satisfy your palate.

Rosemary Veggies

This one here is a very simple way of cooking mixed veggies and they can be a side dish to meat, eggs, fish, cheese, or you can add it to boiled rice, pasta or cous cous. And of course many other ways of your choice.

- 2 small carrots
- 2 small courgettes
- handful of green beans
- half white onion
- rosemary
- salt and pepper

Cut veggies. Boil green beans and carrots in salty water for about 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile cook the chopped onion in olive oil. Add carrots, green beans, courgettes, rosemary, salt & pepper. I like crunchy vegetables, which means I don't let them cook too long, but feel free to experiment!

Bon appetit!

Mom's Polpette (aka: Meatballs)

2009-05-09T22:03:00.014+01:00

'Oh my god! Those slices of ham have been in the fridge for ages!', 'Nooo! I still have that piece of boiled chicken and I don't know how to use it!'.
These and many more fridge-distressing questions can find an answer today! How? I am sharing with you one of the best ways to use, and therefore not waste, some food left-overs!
Note that quantities and specific ingredients' selection depend on what you prefer and on what's available in the kitchen. The important bit is being able to make some nice and dense meat-balls, as big as apricots. Press them if you wish them to look like tiny cakes (recommended).

Mom's Polpette:

You can use as a base any cooked meat, that you should then cut into tiny tiny pieces: chicken, minced beef, turkey...
Then add a choice of thinly chopped ham, parma ham, mortadella, abundant grated parmesan, a whole egg (1 egg is enough for 4/5 people), nutmeg, a touch of ginger powder, a boiled and squashed potato, parsley, salt & pepper.

Mix the ingredients and then make the little balls by hand. Flour the meatballs and then fry them in half a centimetre of olive oil.

Enjoy with mixed vegetables' salad.

A purplish-blue Sunday

2009-04-26T12:47:00.006+01:00

Violets

This herbaceous plant of temperate regions, typically having purple, blue, or white five-petaled flowers grow in a vigorous and healthy way in the surroundings as the result of a particularly favorable environment.
Violets make me think about childhood, spring, undergrowth, sun after a rainy day. This one flourished on the banks of the Varese lake and seduced my view.

Varese lake

Do you know of Sacco & Vanzetti?

2009-03-28T23:42:00.009Z

Gian Maria Volontè was one of the greatest Italian actors of all times. The will of watching some of his unforgettable performances led me to buy and watch "Sacco e Vanzetti". This movie is about a fundamental chapter of contemporary history.
Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were two Italian-born US immigrants and anarchists who were unjustly convicted and executed via electrocution in August 1927 in Massachusetts for the 1920 armed robbery and murder of a pay-clerk and a security guard in Braintree, Massachusetts.
The trial gave origin to worldwide controversy, as Sacco and Vanzetti were also being judged and convicted for what they represented, a political enemy and a menace to social order, and for what they were, immigrants.

Their story should be known more, because we still have so much to learn from it, especially in countries were immigration is an issue, like in present-day Italy. To do so, I strongly invite you to watch this movie, directed by Giuliano Montaldo in 1971, with music by Ennio Morricone and Joan Baez.

In August 1977, Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis signed a proclamation declaring, "Any stigma and disgrace should be forever removed from the names of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. We are not here to say whether these men are guilty or innocent. We are here to say that the high standards of justice, which we in Massachusetts take such pride in, failed Sacco and Vanzetti."

Childnet International

2009-02-22T22:47:00.005Z

Hi all, I was recently involved in some volunteer work with a non-profit organisation called Childnet International. I strongly believe in their mission, which is that of helping making the Internet a great & safe place for children.

My job was that of delivering a presentation to groups of young people (from 11 to 15 years-old) to teach them how to be safe online. Part of this project was showing the young students a short movie about cyberbulling. Here is the movie, so that you can also check what cyberbulling is about. Enjoy & share it with whom you think might benefit from watching it. Thanks!

Never, never try to gauge temperature ...

2009-02-09T22:51:00.005Z

Hi all! Today I'm in the mood for music tips; check out this song by Maximo Park and Maximo Park in general, they are really good! Enjoy and see you all soon.

The Secret Life of Plastic Bags

2009-01-15T20:52:00.012Z

We all know perfectly well that hairpins and plastic bags have their own independent life within our homes; in fact, we all realized sooner or later that:
a. hairpins disappear, going to places we cannot even imagine.
b. plastic bags just keep on breeding!

My image shows an average-sized rubbish bag and it corresponds to the amount of plastic bags we (2 people) accumulated in approximately 9 months (and just bear in mind that I tend to go out with an extra carrier in my handbag so that I don't need a plastic bag when I do my shopping).

What are we going to do with this? Burn it? No. Rent an extra room for plastic bags' families? No. Throw it away hoping the plastic gets recycled? Yes, because its content was taking a whole cupboard in my small kitchen.
Look at what this woman did! But I'm not that skilled...

Let's think about it, maybe we can all find easy ways in our daily routines to produce less waste.

The Joys of Life: Baking

2009-01-06T22:30:00.006Z

Hi all,

I recently discovered that baking bread really is a pleasure of life! The smell in the house, its colours, its warmth ... It really cheers you up on a winter's day.
So, as it's easier than you think, you can all give it a try: you don't need a bread machine, only time and the divine will to knead.
The loaf you can see in the picture above was done with the following ingredients:

- 500g of flour
- 7g of dried yeast (corresponding to a 25g cube of fresh yeast)
- a pinch of salt
- a pinch of sugar
- 2 tbsp of olive oil, possibly extra-virgin
- warm water

In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients and start gradually to add the water.
Keep on kneading and adding water until you have a smooth, elastic and compact dough. You can also knead it outside of the bowl, as I did after a while because it felt better and I had more space to play around with my creature.
Put the dough in an oil-greased bowl (or on a baking tray), cover it with a clean tea towel, and let it rise for an hour.
You can then take the dough and give it the shape you prefer. Leave it to rise another 30 min. You can now do 3 or 4 cuts on the surface if you want your bread to look like the one above, then place it in a pre-heated oven (200°C) and let it bake for 40-50 minutes.

Let it cool down before eating the bread with whatever you like.
This is a great basic recipe: after trying it once you will start experimenting and baking your perfect bread with the ingredients you prefer.

Happy New Year!

Christmassy

2008-12-29T11:30:00.006Z

Christmas Biscuits

Hi everyone,

last month was quite busy with uni and Christmas preps and could do no posting at all... but now that I've graduated (YESSS!) and preps have been preped I can reveal a few things about this Christmas time.

Last Sunday was biscuits time; I and Teb spent the whole Sunday cooking Christmas biscuits for our loved ones' sake. As a matter of fact much love burst out of that kitchen but in the end let me say.. we were proudly exhausted!

The little hearts you see above are simply made with Pasta frolla (the same dough I used for the crostata or pie), you will find the recipe here. Pasta frolla can be used in many different ways according to your fantasy and tastes! You can add cocoa powder, chocolate drops, coconut, almonds etc.

The rest of the week was dedicated to Christmas presents. I was soooo late for all of them! I and mom spent a great amount of time knitting (thank you mom, I couldn't do it without you ), cause I wanted to do something special and unique for my beloved ones.

Woollen Scarfs

I hope you all spent a great Christmas time and wish you a very Special New Year's Eve!

Crostata

2008-11-30T18:25:00.009Z

Sunday evening, rain and 2°C outside.
3 Very good reasons to post a special recipe that will cheer you up :)

Dedicated to Deb and Teb

Crostata con confettura di prugne or Homemade plum jam pie

Dough:

- 300 g flour
- 120 g sugar
- 150 g butter
- 1 egg/1 egg yolk
- a pinch of salt

Pie filling:

- 1 small pot jam (you can choose any jam or marmalade, I used a very good homemade plum jam)

Before starting this recipe be sure that your eggs and butter are room-temperature.

Mix flour with a pinch of salt and sugar. Add soft butter in bits and mix with the top of your fingers till you obtain big crumbs.

Now add the egg and the yolk at the center of your dough and mix quickly till the dough is solid.
Form a ball with your dough and wrap it in a plastic wrap. Leave it at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

Grease a cake tin with butter. Stretch the dough (0,50 cm thickness) and wrap it on the rolling pin. Unroll it on your cake tin and pass the rolling pin on the borders so you can easily cut off the dough excess. Prick the surface with a fork and spread the jam with a spoon (my little secret is to heat up the jam for a minute, it'll spread all over the surface sooo easily!).

Cut the dough excess in long stripes with a cog and cross them on your cake. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes at 180°.

Enjoy :)

To Crunch or not to Crunch? Buy Handmade!

2008-11-26T23:28:00.006Z

Guys,
there's a website out there that might really change your life and help you a) fighting your credit crunch b) avoiding Christmas shopping masses c) buy unique items, gifts, clothes (ladies!) d) sell your handmade items!
Etsy is one of the coolest thing I've ever seen on the Internet, thanks to P, as usual :)

Buy Handmade Video from Etsy on Vimeo.

A Very Useful Post: Online Typing Lessons For All

2008-11-14T19:52:00.007Z

Have you ever wanted to take a good typing course that would allow you to:

- type faster, ergo save precious time

- type without looking at the keyboard

- improve your overall writing life ... ?

Of course you have! Well, my boyfirend found this amazing online typing course that will really help you. It's called 'Peter's online typing course', so first of all: thank you Peter! This is really useful and well done!
In addition, the fact that the course is online, means that all you need is an Internet connection and a PC to take your lessons. You can really tailor it to your time availability: at home, during lunch break, in an Internet café... Wherever and whenever you want!
The course helps you to learn typing from scratch; you don't need to have done this before. You just have to follow the steps and get started.
I hope many of you will love it!

This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)

2008-11-09T19:35:00.004Z

As it's never too late to find out about good music from the near past, I'm really proud the share this with you: it's This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody), a 1982 song by Talkin Heads. If you don't know them already, check them out because they wrote some of the best songs of the 80s and 90s. I discovered the song while randomly listening to last.fm, that selected the cover version of the track played by Arcade Fire and sung by David Byrne ... Amazing!

Rope by Alfred Hitchcock

2008-10-29T18:40:00.006Z

Hi there, if you feel like watching something rather unique on Halloween evening, then I strongly suggest you pick Rope, a movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1948.
It might happen that you have a cinema-lover friend obsessed by long shots, or another one saying that editing is everything, well if this is the case give them the Rope DVD and you will end up having some really interesting conversations with them! Rope is in fact one of the least edited feature films you will ever see, which, in itself, is already an excellent reason to watch it; also, the events described in the movie are happening in real time.
I was not particularly attracted by the title, but then me and Teb decided to watch it and it's definitely one my favourite Hitchcock movies now. If the idea of a superbly shot perfect murder tickles your mind then this one is for you; you will be surprised by how contemporary a 60 years old movie can be.

The whole brain was lost forever in this case...

2008-10-27T13:19:00.006Z

Hi all,

I'm sorry this is limited to the fruition of Italian speakers, but when I heard this speech it made feel so bad I just thought this should be seen by as many people as possible, so this little happy blog can feel useful by forwarding you this video.
To give you an idea of the topic: Italian MPs have been the most paid in Europe for ages, then, over the last year, they had this brilliant idea and increased their salaries of an additional 1000€, which is often more that the first (and second and third) salary of an Italian university graduate. At the same time, they are cutting funds to education and increasing their expenses' budgets. That's a good example to the nation, isn't it?

Is this a piece of your brain?

2008-10-14T22:00:00.005+01:00

Good communication is the key to many doors in life. Here is one of my favourite sketches on this matter. Please enjoy!

Madame Paris

2008-09-26T15:37:00.017+01:00

Hi everyone,

enjoy a few pics of the amazing weekend I spent with deb and fil. Certainly one of the best birthdays ever...
First of all because of them, and of course because of Veronica and the magical atmosphere of the majestic Paris.

Thank you!

Un petit sommeil à Place des Vosges

La Seine au coucher

Notre-Dame... de rien :)

Sticky and Sweet Madonna!

Her majesty Eiffel Tower

Le petit déjeuner

Battle of Evermore

2008-09-07T20:41:00.013+01:00

Hi all!

I want to share with you another amazing cover I have known for a long time: it's Battle of Evermore, by Led Zeppelin.
One of my best friends made me listen to it around 1993: it was part of the soundtrack of the film Singles. It was carefully selected and transferred with love to one of my ancient tape mixes, but after all these years, and moving houses, and losing the tape, I had forgotten who was the performer.
Well... thanks to our powerful friend the Internet, I found the song again and discovered who sang it: it was the Lovemongers, one of the bands led by sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson. They are more known for the band Heart, having released singles like Barracuda and Little Queen.
It's an amazing duet: two great voices and energies make a unique version of this song, as fascinating as the original one.

summer patty-cakes

2008-07-29T15:58:00.010+01:00

Ok, time for a new, easy recipe.

Last Thursday night I was invited chez Tebessa and Claudio for a midsummer dinner in Milan. The menu was great; colorful, tasty and light.
Starters first: my patty-cakes and a cool gazpacho soup garnished with sesame seeds. Then fish time: scallops au gratin sided with a fresh leek cream and oven cooked cuttlefish. A rich forkful of saffron zucchini spaghetti and some ice-cream with blueberries for dessert.

I decided to post my patty-cakes cause they taste of summer and I like their fairy-tale look.

You will need:

puff pastry
fresh ricotta cheese
grated parmesan
some slices of bell peppers (I used a green and a red one)
1 carrot
1 courgette
1/4 white onion (but feel free to use it according to your taste)
ham cubes (you can buy a thick ham slice and cut it)
fresh basil leaves
olive oil
salt and pepper

First thing to do is to prepare puff pastry rings using a glass or a cup (a cooking cutter if you're well-provided), and put them in the muffin pan. They will take the shape of small pastry baskets.

All you have to do now is to cut the veggies in small cubes and cook them all together in a pan with olive oil, salt and pepper. I put the onion with carrots and peppers first cause they need to be cooked a few minutes longer than courgettes.
Add the ham and cook it for 1 or 2 minutes. Turn off fire and add the fresh basil leaves, parmesan and ricotta cheese. Mix all well and fill in your puff pastry baskets.

Cook in the oven at 180° for 20 minutes and... enjoy your cakes!

Tiny Youth Love Poem

2008-07-03T22:27:00.003+01:00

Darling darling take me there
To the place where no one dares,
We will reach it through the maze
Up where time has no name.
I will kiss you and drink you again
Love and passion we'll inhale
Buds and bees and passion fruit
Lime and laughters under the moon.
I miss you now, I want you so...
I want you here, I miss you love!

Deb, March 2000

Discover the Cool Cover!

2008-06-17T22:45:00.008+01:00

A couple of years ago in Dublin, I was doing some shopping with a friend. The mission was finding a new bag, which, as you all know, can be quite tough.
So, we went to Urban Outfitters and spent there quite a bit of time; after a while we became aware of the fact that the music in the background was really cool! Familiar, popular songs, but played in very different ways. My friend asked what cd they were playing an here's the result:

Are you curious to hear 'Crazy in Love' sung by Snow Patrol? Then I would really advise you to buy Crazy Covers Cosmosonica vol.1!
Take for example a great dance song by Daft Punk, 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger'; we all know the Kayne West 'Stronger', but there's another great cover of this song on Cosmosonica, same title, performed by Uminski: here it is, don't miss it!

Last but not least, still about being harder, better, faster and stronger, check the 'Daft Hands' video from YouTube: great songs really are a source of inspiration and creativity... Enjoy!

Swedish Music Rocks!

2008-05-12T22:59:00.007+01:00

Hi all,

I recently realized that lately I've been listening to a lot of very good Swedish music! Of course I've had my Abba and Roxette phases in the past, but currently one of my favourite songs is 'With Every Heartbeat' by an artist called Robyn. As far as I know it's very popular in Sweden and it's a great song; I also like the animated pongo-based video, that you can watch by clicking the link above.
Also, if you like melodic indie music, check out the Perishers; I've been listening to their first two albums, 'From Nothing to One' and 'Let There Be Morning' for a while and they're really good: my favourites songs are 'Weekends' and 'My Heart'.
They released their third album, 'Victorious', in September 2007, but I just bought it (literally) and I still have to listen to that one.

Keep visiting this blog for more Deb&La music tips!

Voglio Scendere / I want to get off (this country) ...

2008-05-06T21:01:00.006+01:00

Hi all,

I've just added a new recommended link on the right: it will redirect you to my new source of news about Italy. It's a blog called 'Voglio Scendere' written by Pino Corrias, Peter Gomez and Marco Travaglio, three superb journalists and writers.
If you're an Italian speaker and if you admire the work of these professionals, you should definitely have a look at the blog and bookmark it.

You might also be interested in Marco Travaglio on tour and check the dates; his show is about Italy's history in the last 15 years. Don't miss it if you can!

Pear-y Spring Salad

2008-04-25T21:20:00.009+01:00

It seems that finally spring has come: this means fresh salad season!
Fast and easy to prepare, super healthy and yummy: salads are a real blessing at this time of the year. Here is my latest, vegetarian, salad-creativity result; by the way, you make the quantities according to your mood. Mix:

- lamb's lettuce
- salanova lettuce
- white onion (vidalia)
- sunflower seeds
- conference pear (my advice is 1 pear for 2 people)
- cheddar cubes

Put all the ingredients in your bowl and dress with extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt.
If you want to make it a light dish, just add a little quantity of cheese: a handful of cheddar cubes is definitely enough for 2/3 people. The sunflower seeds will make it crunchy and delicious.

Enjoy and let me know if you liked it!

Read Gomorra!

2008-02-22T21:01:00.010Z

Time has come to start talking about the books we loved, hoping that more and more people will enjoy them as well.

So, the last book I read is called Gomorra, by Roberto Saviano: it's a great piece of work, I strongly advise you all to read it.
Gomorra is a different point of view on what we usually call 'camorra', a very complex criminal system originating in Campania, in the south of Italy.
No stupid cliches, no television or tabloid comments: Gomorra is an amazing insight on what one of the most powerful criminal society is and on how it works. If you feel like you want to understand and know more about the dark side of Italy this is the book you're looking for.
All politicians promising to quickly get rid of the waste emergency in Campania should make sure they read this book first.
Roberto Saviano is doubtlessly one of the bravest writers I've ever read.

Read the NY Times rieview of Gomorra.

Christmas holidays

2008-01-06T15:28:00.002Z

Ok, today is officialy the last feast day of the Christmas period! In Italy it is called the "Befana" day; precisely that little old ugly-looking lady filling up children's socks with all kinds of sweets or coal according to their goodness or nastiness!

As I'm always a little melancholic on this Epiphany day I will post some pictures of these holidays which will certainly bring up lovely memories to my mind and hope to yours as well...

Cluedo time! :)

Tortellini in brodo della Teresa or Teresa's tortellini

Christmas wouldn't be such without mom's tortellini! A masterpiece.

Sister's first handmade pasta

It was just too good!

Christmas Cookies

So Christmassy!

Lenticchie e cotechino con stelline di polenta or Traditional lentils with cotechino and polenta stars

They're said to bring good luck... and I wish it to you all!

Leaving Ireland & Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit

2007-12-27T10:44:00.000Z

After more than 2 years, I finally left a country that gave me so much! Before Christmas, I said good-bye to Dublin and to Ireland to move to London.
I have great memories of Ireland: the people, the language (I was even told I have an Italian-Irish accent now!), the colours, the great pub food, the beer and the incredible daffodils from early spring!
A place where you spend 2 years of your life will become part of your personal history and part of yourself, so thanks a lot Ireland and Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit to all of you!

Daffodils in Malahide, spring 'o7

Cooking, cooking, cooking

2007-10-27T20:37:00.003+01:00

I believe to have an inborn attraction for frangrances, flavours, shapes and colors; that's probably the reason why cooking is one of my favourite activities.

I love reading food blogs and get some inspiration for my dishes or try an irresistible recipe! Today I got my inspiration from the first food blog I ever read: roberta's cucino ma non troppo.

I will post my recipes both in english and italian in order to make them available to all my friends!

FRITTELLE DI ZUCCHINE or ZUCCHINI FLAPJACKS

The first recipe is a reproduction of roberta's "frittelle di zucchine"; they are very easy to cook and need just a few ingredients.

2 small courgettes/2 piccole zucchine
1 egg/1 uovo
4 spoons flour/4 cucchiai farina 00
baking powder/lievito
milk/latte
salt/sale
olive oil/ olio di oliva

- Grate the courgettes (use the big holes)
- Sift the flour and a pinch of baking powder into a middle-seized bowl
- Add the egg and mix well
- Add some milk stirring continuously until a soft, dense cream
- Put the grated courgettes into the cream and mix
- In a shallow pan, fry spoonfuls of compound into hot olive oil until crispy
- Serve hot with a pinch of salt!

- Grattugiare le zucchine (utilizzando i fori grossi della grattugia)
- Setacciare la farina e un pizzico di lievito in una ciotola di media grandezza
- Aggiungere l'uovo e mescolare
- Aggiungere il latte mescolando continuamente fino ad ottenere una crema soffice e densa
- Versare le zucchine nel composto e mescolare
- Versare cucchiaiate di composto in olio d'oliva bollente e dorare
- Servirle calde con un pizzico di sale!

POLPETTE DI CARNE CON CUORE FILANTE or CREAMY HEARTED MEATBALLS

The second recipe was inspired from roberta's "polpette di melanzane".

200g chopped beef meet/200g carne trita (manzo)
1 egg/1 uovo
1 potato/1 patata
grated parmesan/parmigiano grattugiato
breadcrumbs/pangrattato
parsley/prezzemolo
fontina cheese (or any melting cheese)/fontina (o formaggio filante a piacere)
salt/sale
pepper/pepe

- Boil a middle-sized potato
- Put the meat and the egg in a middle-sized bowl and mix well
- Add a handful of grated parmesan and a mashed potato, again mix well
- Add a pinch of salt and pepper and a small quantity of minced parsley, in order to obtain a thick dough add some breadcrumbs
- Take a small quantity of dough in the hands and form some meatballs
- It's now time to cut the cheese into small cubes which will be hidden in the middle of the meatballs, cover them with breadcrumbs and fry in hot olive oil.
- Eat as long as the cheese is melted!

- Lessare una patata medio/grande
- In una ciotola lavorare la carne con l'uovo
- Aggiungere una manciata di parmigiano, la patata schiacciata e lavorare bene l'impasto (consiglio di usare le mani)
- Aggiungere un pizzico di sale e pepe e un po' di prezzemolo tritato. Per ottenere un impasto solido aggiungere pangrattato
- Prendere una piccola quantità di impasto nelle mani e formare delle polpette
- Tagliare il formaggio (nel mio caso fontina) a cubetti e nasconderli al centro delle polpette, coprire cn pangrattato e friggere in olio d'oliva.
- Da gustare calde con cuore filante!

Let's reduce plastic waste!

2007-10-26T14:41:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

If your kitchen cupboard (or house) is exploding with more and more plastic bags, you might be interested in sharing an idea which is both environment and housekeeper-friendly!

Always keep a light cotton bag (like the one in the picture) in your handbag and use it in your favourite supermarket, pharmacy or grocery for daily shopping. If properly folded, it takes very little space and when you get to the counter and they ask you: "Do you need a bag?", you will finally be able to say: "No thanks, I have my ecological one!"

Results: less plastic bags to fold in perfect triangles (can you do that?), less useless plastic in your scary kitchen drawer, less useless plastic on the planet. Holy cow!

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