Eat well, laugh often, love much. This is the Italian way. Let’s cultivate well-travelled children and adults by the end of this year by visiting a foreign country through our taste buds. For the next few months, I will be sharing ideas to explore culinary arts and various culture experiences by celebrating and finding interesting facts from countries around the world. First stop Italy.
Loving the Family
A friend of mine saw this idea on social media where you once week eat something from a different country, but she changed it up a bit and made it more fun. Here is the idea, a cultural evening at your house with the family. You pick a country, make it exciting with different foods from that country.
It could be simple or fancy as you want it. Have a look at the flag, discuss interesting facts about the country or what the country is famous for. The children have fun an the adults get schooled. Yes, many parents have learned a few things from all the home schooling.
Time to take out the world map and point to Italy. Italy has a strong heritage in history, architecture, art, culture, religion, fashion, food, and the list goes on.
Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Donatella Versace are all names associated with Italy.
Go find a few facts:
- Italy is shaped like a high-heeled boot.
- Currency: Euro (before 2001 it was the Lira).
- Language: Mostly Italian.
- Capital: Rome.
Cuisine
The Mediterranean menu is diverse and it seems when it comes to Italian cooking there is always space for more on the table.
Here are a few ideas: Lots of tomatoes, ciabatta bread, bread sticks, focaccia, pizza, spaghetti carbonara, lasagne, polenta, carpaccio, minestrone soup, ossobuco and risotto. Drinks include: Italian cream soda, cappuccino, espresso, caffe latte, Italian wine, prosecco, amaretto and grappa.
Gelato is a very tasty Italian ice cream and probably the most famous desserts are tiramisu, panna cotta, cannoli, tartufo, pannettone, affogato, florentines and biscotti. How about a picnic, Tuscan style?
Pro Tip
Hospitality, a strong sense of community and sociability are excellent professional traits reflected in every aspect of the Italians’ daily lives and even their business culture. They are well known for their sophistication and eye for style.
Digital
Quiz the children (but some parents might also need some quizzing). Go to your app store or play store and check out free apps on flags and capitals.
Have you Seen it Yet?
To end off your cultural evening go watch one of the famous Italian mob movies, Bugsy, Goodfellas, The Godfather 1 and 2, depending on age restrictions.
Check it Out
YouTube also has many interesting documentaries on Mount Edna or Rome.
Espresso Scrub Remedy
Italians love their coffee after a meal. Some like it small, strong and intense, like espresso coffee. Coffee and coconut oil makes a great antioxidant body scrub to exfoliate the skin and get rid of dead skin while moisturising it.
I tried this recipe at home:
1 cup ground coffee
1 cup sugar
½ cup coconut oil
½ tablespoon cinnamon (optional)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (optional).
Melt coconut oil, mix all the ingredients together and keep in an airtight container or glass jar. Use as often as two times per week if you like.
Local is Lekker
If you had a long day or you are just not in the mood to cook up a storm, order in from your local Italian restaurant or pizzeria. You can even go for an early Italian night out. Buon appetito!
Community Star
A big thank you to all the ladies from Ladies Circle. You are doing some amazing work!
Food for Thought
Do it like the Italians “Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto!” Eat well, laugh often, love much!
Cook & Culture is compiled bi-weekly by Annelette Bezuidenhout, a media specialist at Caxton local media.
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