Day 1 Rome

Day 1 Rome Woke up at 7am, went for breakfast and then thought, I must find out where the cooking classes are. 9.30am, I was still mucking around working out where I was and where I needed to be for my class at 10am. I was starting to panic that I didnt really know how far it was...how long the blocks were....walking out the gate, happened upon a cab. Terrific!! 10 euro well spent to get there on time. Got to the class just on time, I think I was the second last there. The class was awesome! Very hands on, and my children and Stevo are in for a treat of home made gnocci so much better than before. The starters we made were figs with gorgonzolla and marscipan cheese mix and walnut, and the other was some other sort of cheese...will check what sort when I get my email from Andrea.....and honey.....So yummy. They were baked in the oven. I have never really eaten figs before, but they are definitely on my menu now. They were sweet and creamy with the cheese melted through them. Next we made home made gnocci with 4 cheese sauce. My kids are in for such a treat....the gnocci was so much better than I have ever made, and the kids will love it!! Going to buy my potatoes in bulk now so can get the nice old wrinkly ones.....or maybe ask lou to keep the throw out ones for me. We used very little flour because the potato was so gluey being old and so they were much nicer. Very light and the sauce just clung to them so well..definitely will be making them this way at home. Oh and the raw gnocci freezes well......so a quick meal if I make a load properly and freeze them. Andrea was so helpful. The next thing we cooked was saltin bucca......translation, beef that skips to your mouth...so simple and yummy. it was thin slices of beef around an inch wide, layered with a slice of cheese (will have to get it from the email, then a slice of prosueto and then folded, and skewered with a sage leaf. You cook it first with the sage side down and then turn and cook it on the other.....the cheese melts making a nice sauce in the bottom of the pan...so yummy and so simple. We then made an eggplant lasagne with a fresh tomato sauce..yummy too. Next we made the best lemon custard......very smooth and velvety...my arm was so sore the next day from stirring so much, but oh my it was worth it. We teamed this with peaches which we caramelised in brown sugar and then brandy. yumm The other people at the class were so lovely, I met new friends....and heard some amazing stories of life. I think thats what it is when you meet people, its important to hear their stories to gather what and who they are. I hope to remain friends with 4 or 5 of them for a very long time to come. One couple lived in South Melbourne, a lovely young couple..very career driven..one day they will change, like we have where career although is satisfying, other things in life become more important...I guess its what happens when you watch friends pass on, you reassess what truly makes you happy. Its nice to hear how excited they are about their jobs and career progression, but for me, i have made other choices in life, and I found satisfaction in that. My kids especially. Another lady was in her late 50s.......they lived as expats in thailand for many years, and when she traveled home to switzerland to be with her dying mother, he found someone new, after 35 years of marriage, she found herself alone and having to start again. It was interesting to hear of her struggle to rebuild herself and what life is like for her now. Another girl was my age, american, and 7 years ago, she was running her own business in Chicago, but the stress was huge and one day, she said enough, and changed her life, now she lives in rome and has done for 7 years. Amazing change of life. She works at a school...not sure what sort. There was also a brit living in rome for the last 15 years....her story was interesting too. She said that rome was very racist expecially towards expats like herself and she was saying how difficult it was to get police to listen when things go wrong. Andrea and his lovely wife were just beautiful....and helped with so much practical advice, not only in the kitchen, but also where to go for great food at good prices. I will definitely recommend this to anyone travelling overseas on their own.....grab a cooking class!! We sat down and ate our beautiful meal as a group.....so yummy and such great company, along with 4 glasses of wine, well, I was a bit light headed and very full when we left. I decided to walk back to my hotel.....got lost so many times. It was extremely hot so I drank water by the gallon....and the hill was very steep..and roads would suddenly end up in steps..but eventually I hit the top after walking for 2 hours, and the view was breathtaking....oh and I saw a lovely italian wedding. By the time I got to the hotel, all I could think of was drinking heaps and cooling down in the pool, and sleep.......so a very early night, 8.30pm and I was asleep!