We've Moved!!

Hi friends!

I have been continuing my blog on a new platform: Wordpress!!

I found that I had more creative control on it and so decided it was time to switch. I have also been finishing all my study abroad posts (yay) to make room for new content.

Please follow along via awalkinthepinkpark.wordpress.com/

I would love to see you again - thank you so much for following along so far!

Ciao!

Haley

Cinque Terre: Monterosso, Manarola & Vernazza

Another trip on the blog today - and this time, it's the Italian Riviera! Otherwise known as Cinque Terre (The Five Villages),  where candy colored houses and beautiful views from the hills line this Ligurian coastline. This region is especially known for it's famous sauce, basil pesto as well as foccaccia bread.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. I got to explore three of the five and that was just enough. Read on to learn a little more about this beautiful place:

Hiking

One thing I definitely recommend for this coast is to do a hiking tour of a few of the towns. I loved hiking through all the mountains (especially in Manarola) and the views were STUNNING! Plus since its a bit of a climb, you will definitely feel proud of all the calories you burned off to earn your next pasta binge later in the day. 

Beaches
The beaches here are so beautiful. Monterosso was my favorite (and also favorite town of all the ones I visited) because it seemed to have the most options of things to see, eat and do. You can sit on the cliffs and swim in the Mediterranean, tan by some cute & colorful umbrellas and even take a boat tour of all the towns if you want.

Pisa Pizza
Ok so I know this is not in Cinque Terre but I just had to include it since it was so good! On our way to Cinque Terre (I went twice so this was round two for me and round one for Mom) there was a train strike when traveling from Florence. My Mom and I were basically stuck at multiple stations for a whole day while trying to get there - it was awful. One of the places we stopped in was Pisa. Since we were hungry and wasn't sure how long we'd be stuck there for, we went to a place only a short walk away from the station and at first glance it seemed a little rough. However, their pizza menu was extensive - more options then I think I ever saw in the country! We settled on a sausage and walnut concoction and it tasted better than I thought! The nuttiness of the walnuts and the saltiness of the sausage mixed perfectly together.

Cuisine
The food here was a little hit & miss, definitely not my favorite compared to the other parts of Italy I've been to but still good! The highlights were definitely the walnut cream ravioli after our hiking day and the chicken dinner we had at Ristorante Ely our last night. Both were heavenly - especially the crispy potato medallions on the side of the chicken, yum!!

Overall, I loved the beautiful views of the towns but since there wasn't a whole lot to do, I recommend just staying a night.

Ciao!

Diamonds of the Kitchen: Truffles

For those that know me, you know that I haven't stopped talking about truffles since returning to the States - and it's not the chocolate ones. These so-called "diamonds of the kitchen" are flavorful little fungi that grow near the roots of trees in Italy & France. The only type I can speak on are the Italian kind but if you want to know more about these little beauties and why they are amazing keep on reading!!

So what makes these so rare and expensive? Well, one reason is because both white truffles as well as black can't be found without the help of dogs (and sometimes pigs, but that's more of a French technique) to find them. They are also only found in Italy and France (nowhere else) and only grow during a certain time of year. In fact, they hold a festival every September to celebrate the start of the truffle hunting season! 

Truffles can be purchased in a variety of ways, one being the ever-famous truffle oil. 

White truffle oil is sold in a can (keeps the oil fresh longer) or a glass bottle.  No oil actually has truffle in it, though, instead the white truffle is put in olive oil and then after the aroma is released, the truffle is removed. When purchasing truffle oil, make sure it is authentic (only lists white truffle aroma and olive oil as ingredients) but you don't need to spend a fortune on it since there is no actual truffle still in it. Pricing can run from 10 euros and up depending on the quantity purchased.

Fake oils have a chemical in them as well as the olive oil and aroma - you can tell if you taste the oil and you immediately taste the truffle (if it's real, you first taste the olive oil then the truffle since the truffle is put in the bottom of the bottle and should take time to come through. 

Truffle has a very strong taste so either you love it or hate it. The best way to use the oil is mainly pasta and bread, but also can use with salad or just about anything savory.

Truffle Oil Gnocchi

White truffles are more expensive and more prized than black truffles since they are harder to find and taste better as well as a shorter season for harvesting. The most expensive one was a world record size and went for 330,000 euros - no joke!!

Black truffles, on the other hand, are still expensive but are more accessible than white truffles and so are cheaper. These truffles can be sold as is to be grated over dishes, mixed with porcini mushroons into a creamy spread, or cooked whole. 

Black Truffle Gnocchi

Black Truffle Ravioli with White Truffle Cream Sauce

Black Truffle Fries

Black Truffle Carbonara with White Truffle Oil

White Truffle Oil Pizza Topped with Black Truffle

Black Truffle Cream, Pecorino and Salami Sandwich

Is your mouth watering yet?

If you don't believe me, try some the next time you see it on a menu!

One place to look for is Zaza's - they have multiple menus and one is dedicated to all things truffle!! Almost all of the black truffle meals pictured are from there (except the pizza and sandwich).

That's all for now - ciao!

Cooking Class Round Up: What I've Made

One great part about this trip besides all the travel was also the food. Italy is known for having amazing creations (no wonder Italian is my favorite)! I've made quite a few dishes during my cooking classes here in Italy to embrace this food culture and willing to share them all with you.

One class was purely food and the other was pairing food & wine.

Here are some of the magical recipes I've made through these classes (ignore the chicken scratch on some - I had to take notes!):

Spaghetti with Homemade Pesto

Bucatini alla Amatriciana

 

Chocolate Lava Cake with Pear

Polenta with Mushrooms

Risotto Milanese with Veal Shank

Spaghetti with Clams

Tiramisu

Orecchiette with Broccoli Version 1 (above)

Orecchiette with Broccoli (Version 2)

Pumpkin Ravioli

Eggplant Parmigiana Version 1 (above)

Eggplant Parmigiana Version 2

Baccala (Cod Fish) with Potatoes

Chocolate Mousse with Cat's Tongue Cookies

Saltimbocca (Veal & Prosciutto Slab) & Involtini (Veal & Prosciutto Rolls)

Lamb Shanks with Pan-Fried Artichokes

Pumpkin Risotto

Cannoli

Pork and Rosemary

Chocolate Truffles

Pasta alla Chitarra

Cantucci (Biscotti)

If you want to recreate any of these recipes yourself, feel free to and comment your results below!

Ciao!