Food, Food, Food!

Let's get something straight: Italians LOVE to eat.  This is, of course, perfect for me because I tend to base all of my daily activities and planning around when, where, and how I'm going to eat.  As you would expect, many of the dishes revolve around pasta.  Oregano, garlic, onion, paprika, chicken, sausage, veal, and the list continues of Italian favorites the world has come to love.

Tonight, I made Italian Baked Ziti using Mozzarella, beef, Parmesan, Ricotta, and (of course), tomatoes!  I've been the house chef cooking for the roommates and others.  You can call me "Chef Scheff."  As the weeks continue here, students are starting to realize how expensive eating out can be.  Usually wine (per glass) can range anywhere from €2,00-€10,00 based on where you are.  However, some restaurants will just sell a house bottled wine for about €10,00.  Not bad, usually can drink up to 5 people, no more.  I have yet to actually have bad house wine.  For starters, people can get soup or a pasta for about €7-9,00, but as the courses continue (second course), they jump up to around €12-€15,00.  These dishes usually contain a prime cut of meat of beef, chicken, or if you want, fish.  Italians here eat very slowly.  It's not uncommon that people be sitting at a dinner table for more than 2 hours here.  It's a time to come together, hang out with friends/family, talk with the shop owners, people watch, and just appreciate life.  

The coffee here is another story.  Everything is made with whole milk (caffe latte and cappuccino).  And when you order "coffee" like you would in America, you get a little 2 oz. cup with either 1 or 2 shots of espresso.  Espresso is essentially pressured steam/water in a small amount of compacted fine-ground coffee.  It involves a serious machine.  The Italians are very loyal to their cafes.  If you go to the same cafe every day at the same time, you will definitely run into the same people getting the same thing.  Or in the mornings, you'll see a businessman or father standing at the bar and take the espresso like it was a shot of alcohol so they can get the rush of adrenaline!  Otherwise, they'll sit outside, people watch while reading, writing, typing, or just smoking a cigarette.  1 Espresso will run you about €1,00-€2,00 depending on where you are in the city, and cappuccinos will cost about €2,50 on average.  Not too bad for a nice cup of joe!  However, if you want American coffee, you'll need to get an Americano, and they will give you a funny look and not give you cream.  You only add sugar.  Take it or leave it, they make that very clear.

Mornings here in Firenze, Italia are beautiful.  Italians do not have large breakfasts like us, Americans.  They usually have something very small, usually a pastry or croissant with jam and coffee.  Be weary though if you come to visit, a lot of the pastries here are no different than what you will get at home.  Although I have yet to get authentic Italian Cheesecake and Cannolli.   The time will come though where I will give in.

Do not expect large portions here, in fact, the portion sizes here are the perfect sizes (based on the fact that they're carbs, fats, and protein).  However, you better make sure you order something you'll definitely eat because otherwise it's a huge insult to the chef (and restaurant) if you do not finish your plate.  You are to eat slowly, and show that you are enjoying your time, company, and food.  If you want to eat quickly, go to a cafe.  But if you eat your food too fast at a nice, sit-down restaurant, it is a nonverbal sign showing that you really are in a hurry and you're not appreciating the dish the way it should be appreciated.  

Thanks for reading my blog, more coming soon!