~But first Coffee...

Buongiorno!!

I was reflecting on traditions and the importance to pass it on to your children. Last Sunday was the feast of St. Joseph (father of Jesus), in Italy is a big deal because that's when Father's Day is celebrated. I have to explain it to my children every year, as in the United States Father's Day is celebrated sometimes in June, I think, and for sure not on the feast of a saint, as it's not a catholic country. 

One tradition that for sure I will never change is the way I make coffee! There's million of coffee drinkers around the world and I think Italians are the most picky. I know because I'm one of them.

This is the way I make coffee:

 As you can see I used a specific machine (mine is electric), it's called MOKA. Yes, that's what you're going to get if you order a "mocha" in an Italian cafe. :)

The result is a thick, extremely dark, luscious coffee. You can mix it with milk (= Caffelatte) or with a foamy milk (=Cappuccino) or just drink it as it is. 

I don't use any type of coffee for my Moka machine, it has to be Italian, because of the way it's grounded and the flavor. My favorite brand is Lavazza {pron. LAH-VAH-TSA}.

If you are interested in authentic Italian coffee and you would like to use my Moka machine you can order yours here:

Once you'll start to make this type of coffee you won't like it any other way!! Trust me.

Now excuse me if I go drink some...

xoxo,

Rich & Creamy Hot Chocolate {Italian style}

Hello everyone!

How many of you watched the SuperBowl yesterday??... well, I hope you were all SeaHawks' fans, because for the Bronco Fans it has not been a very good afternoon.. :(

It was so disappointing that at the end of the game I had to find a way to cheer up and the first thing that popped in my mind was the Hot Chocolate I used to drink in Italy. What's better than a dense and luscious hot chocolate?? And when I say dense I mean it! Every time I make hot chocolate for my children (the store-bought kind) it's basically a hot chocolate-milk.  The kind I used to drink is like velvet, it sticks gently to the spoon.. but it's at the same time liquid enough to drink.

If you have never had it you should try it... and the secret is very simple!

RICH & CREAMY ITALIAN STYLE HOT CHOCOLATE

• Your favorite kind of Hot Chocolate {I used the "double chocolate" Starbucks brand}
• 1 full tsp of Corn Starch each serving
• sugar {only if you need it}
• Cold Milk

Mix the cocoa powder and the corn starch together in a pot. Add as much milk as directed (usually one cup per serving). Stir on low heat... never stop stirring! Let it boil a little bit and serve hot.

 

Yesss! The corn-starch does the magic!

 

What's your favorite kind of hot-cocoa? Share your recipe... I would love to know!!!

 

xoxo,

 

 

Tomato Harvest

It seems like Fall is never gonna come. It's still very hot outside.. but I have to say that I'm enjoying these last days of Summer. I can still dry the clothes outside, before the rainy days come... and I like watering the plants everyday, especially my tomatoes!! It's the first time I have my own tomato-plants! Yesterday I picked and ate the first one... so good! 

Speaking about pomodori reminds me of something fun I did last summer.. I gave a few Italian Lessons to a sweet Denver girl who wants to learn my beautiful language! I don't know how much she learned in the end, I wish I had more time to do more lessons, but time really went so fast. During my lessons I taught her also some simple recipes {we cooked pasta with tomato sauce... and Pizza with Zucchini Flowers.. everything from scratch of course... }. It was fun!!! The best way to learn a language is to be somehow part of the culture and that's what I tried to do. ♥

my student showing off our Pizza! Buonissima!!!

...the blessings of my garden...

Coffee Date.

All those who know me can tell you how much I love coffee, my day doesn't start well if I don't drink a huge cup of Caffe'-latte {an easy version of cappuccino, basically espresso & milk with no froth}. And I love "coffee-dates", there's nothing better than a chit-chat with a good friend while sipping a delicious coffee.

If today you were over at my house to have a cup of coffee, I would show you how I make my Cappuccino. 

You need real espresso, when I say real I mean Italian.. :) Italian brands are sold in almost every american grocery store {I'm sooo happy about that!! I used to have my Mom sending me coffee from Italy!}, the most common are Lavazza and Illy Caffe'. 

Once you have made a strong espresso, warm up the milk {I know it's more fat, but whole milk is the best!} and froth it.. I use my "frother-pot" that I bought in Italy, but you can find something like this in different stores, I used to have it and it works really well.

Pour the coffee in your cup, add some sugar, if you like it sweet like I do, then add the milk with the froth on top. I like to sprinkle it with powder cocoa! Et voila'!  Deeelicioussss!!! ♥

Here's a little picture-collage I made for you:

..You can link your "coffee-date story" at this fabulous blog post by Alissa from Rags to Stitches!..