Friday, June 20, 2008

Pizza Primavera

We're so proud. Last night Bowden and I harvested our first tomato! Of course, we're biased, but it was perfect -- not a blemish on the tight skin and lots of flavor. As thin slices, it was the crowning addition to last night's Pizza Primavera with veggies from Hoosier soil not too far away from our own backyard: summer squash in two colors from Goose The Market, Swiss chard from Balanced Harvest Farm, and goat cheese with lots of herbs from pots on the deck.
We washed it all down with a tasty gift from Jackie's parents. (Grazie, Bob and Joy!) A 2006 bottle of Colosi nero d'avola from Sicily was dry and spicy but nicely balanced with lots of berry flavor. Delicious!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

A new world record

I wasn't sure what to think when I heard about the world's most expensive burger on NPR this morning. The story made me hungry for a good burger but certainly not for "The Burger."
Available only on pre-order from one London Burger King, "The Burger" includes "Wagyu beef, white truffles, Pata Negra ham slices, Cristal onion straws, Modena balsamic vinegar, lambs lettuce, pink Himalayan rock salt, organic white wine & shallot infused mayonnaise in an Iranian saffron & white truffle dusted bun."
All this (do you want fries with that?) for 95 British pounds or about $200, making it the new world's most expensive burger.
-Corrie

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Two Things (Quickly)

Sorry for not writing anything since returning to Italy: my second day back I was placed right back into the world of crazy working hours, and I'm still there. I just have two things that I wanted to mention today, though, before I head back to work:

1. The Celtics won the Playoffs!!! I love those guys, and I'm so glad they won. More on that when I can devote a bit more time, but just wanted to say that, if you spot a bright green KG #5 T-shirt around Macerata, it's probably me! Go Boston!

2. Work has been busy, yes, and here is some proof: English Salad is the new blog by my little group of students (there aren't very many of us, but we're a great group!), and we're all about mixing it up. (sorry, couldn't help the pun...) Enjoy the blog, and watch as we update it! Please leave comments and participate in our fun--the students would love feedback!

That's it for now. I'm late for work...more hopefully soon!

-Jackie

Once upon a time...

So much has happened since I last posted. Granted, that was a very, very long time ago. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, right? So here's a quick visual summary...

The University of Gastronomic Sciences celebrated the graduation of the Masters in Communication class of 2007.





The good folks at Goose the Market let me work behind the counter at this neighborhood specialty food and wine market.






The talented editors at Indianapolis Monthly have given me the chance to write about cheese and local farmers markets and their vendors.



On March 15th, my dear Love said, "I do." And I did, too.



And Bowden planted a lovely garden of veg,herbs, and flowers that, by now, has outgrown this photo.


It was great fun to spend time with Jackie earlier this month. Here's to good friends, green gardens, catch-up blog posts, and time flying when you're having fun.
-Corrie