Italy (Cooking Class)

My husband and I just got back from a trip to Italy.  Our last day there we were tired of walking and decided to take a cooking class.  We are so glad that we did.  It was so much fun and we got to learn how to make a few Italian dishes.  Also we met some wonderful people from all over the world.  If you are ever in Florence, Italy go to Chef Giovanni cooking class you won't be sorry.

The first thing we did was go to the market to get all the ingredients we needed for the day.  Now this was my kind of museum! 

Spices, Olive Oil, and Balsamic Vinegar

 Vegetables straight from the farm

Dried fruit

Beautiful flowers

Assorted Olives

Fresh Seafood

We made bruschetta, and an eggplant appetizer

Bruschetta with a balsamic glaze.  Yum!

The eggplant was layered with mozzarella, basil, tomato and grilled until the cheese melted.  Then drizzled with a balsamic glaze.

Making the pasta by hand was something I've never done.  How easy!  Eggs and flour, that's it!  The flour they use is very fine not like all purpose.  Chef said if we were to use all purpose we should shift it at least three times.

My husband Kevin is not so good in the kitchen and his attempt at kneading the dough was not a success, he put a hole in the middle.  Chef Giovanni was not impressed.

Chef Giovanni saved the day and the dough!

Now that's how it's suppose to look.

We rolled the dough into a thin circle. Folded it a few times and then cut it into strips.

Tossed the strips into a little flour and we had homemade pasta!

We made a meat sauce for the pasta.  It was some of the best pasta I've ever had.

For dessert we made tiramisu.  At the end of the class we ate all the food that we made.  It was all delicious!  It was a good time had by all.