Bread, cheese, and vegetables

Finding good bread here is like the search for the Holy Grail, most of what you can find has a dull crust and a gummy crumb, or the few times I could find something that resembles the bread I grew up with in Italy, it is ridiculously expensive. Baking bread is not that difficult (I am starting to suspect that the reason why I can't find decent bread around here is because people here do like soggy crust and gummy crumb), so I often make it. It is time consuming though, so I was very intrigued by Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking and I decided to borrow it from the local library.

Yesterday I made first boule following their recipe:



The real test will be when I use the stored dough later in the week, but this has crackling crust and a soft crumb. Of course, the true test for bread is with some good olive oil, so that is what I had for breakfast: it was delicious!



Of course it made me wish for tomatoes, but even if it 19C outside, it is still March, so no tomatoes. Cheese? I used to make cheese, why don't I do it anymore? I honestly do not know, because it is fun and easy, I still have the citric acid and the cheese salt (they last forever), all I have to do is to order the rennet (and while I was on CheeseMaking.com, the kit to make mascarpone.)

And while we are on the subject of food, following Gudrun's recommendation,  I have subscribed to Two Small Farms CSA and Frog Hollow Farm CSA. Last night was my first Two Small Farm pick up and I have two plan for all those veggies (no plan needed for the fruit, we will just eat it.)

Sunday: Veal Scaloppine with caramelized turnip

Monday: Turnip, Carrot, and Split Pea Soup

Tuesday: Chicken cutlets with braised cabbage

Wednesday: Leek and patato soup

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: fish with Roasted Potatoes with Fennel and Onion

Saturday: Butternut Squash Ravioli.

Weekly Menu

I am being adventurous this week and trying several new dishes I have not made before:

Monday: Chicken Korma (I yet not sure about it, but it passed the family test)
Tuesday: linguine al pesto
Wednesday: Carne Asada Tacos
Thursday: gnocchi alla sorrentina (can I get more traditional than that?)
Friday: some fish with spinach and potatoes (even more traditional meal)
Saturday: pizza (I do not mean the delivery pizza, I am making it from scratch)
Sunday: not sure yet, it will depends on the level of leftovers from the week

This one is about food

My friend Gudrun has this fantastic blog about food and kitchen gadgets. The posts I like the most are the ones about her weekly menu, I do admire her organization! I remember when I was working in the corporate world and I used to be organized and with planned menus as well, rather then "opening the fridge and wondering what I can make tonight and do we have milk for breakfast?" So there, she inspired me and I decided that Sunday will be "weekly menu planning day" again. So here I go ....

Sunday: completely forgot about it

Monday: it's my night out with my knitting friends. Dinner? Not my problem


Tuesday: horrible headache so my family ate "pasta al burro e parmiggiano"

Wednesday (today): picked up a steak, a marinate, and we will have steak with patate al forno and verdura ripassata in padella. At this point I should probably warn you that I do not speak much food in English. Patate al forno are potatoes cut in small pieces and tossed with olive oil and salt and then roasted in teh oven. Traditional recipe is with rosemary as well, but I rather add lemon juice at the end.  Verdura ripassata in padella is greens first boiled (so they are tender) and then sauteed with olive oil, garlic, and salt.
I have made a plum cake as well for tomorrow breakfast (eating protein for breakfast is against everything that is Italian and believe me, the day goes so much better if you start it with a good espresso and a slice of cake.)

Thursday: Chicken with lemon and rum

Friday: this used to be pizza night, but the kids get "pizza" at school on Friday, so I hardly make pizza at home anymore (they get "pizza" on Monday too.) So I'll be traditional and we will have fish: Slow-Roasted Brown Sugar and Dill Cured Salmon with some kind of sauteed greens or roasted asparagus.

Saturday: Penne with salmon and vodka if I have salmon leftovers or rigatoni mari e monti

Sunday: I am hosting a baby shower for lunch, so I am hoping we will have leftovers for dinner, otherwise I will make a gatto' di patate (mashed potato cake) that will be good for Monday night as well (I know, I said Monday night is not my problem, but ... oh well, I am nice.)