Man, am I going to make some lucky lady a really good WIFE one day!

So Im not sure if its the slower pace of life here on the Farm, in the middle of the Italian countryside, or if its the fact that when I have time to use a big kitchen I really get into it. Maybe its the availability of cheap ingredients, or perhaps that this trip has given me a new kind of culinary confidence...but I have really been impressing myself with the brevity and success I have had in the kitchen. I'm gonna run down a quick list of the things I have cooked in the last 7 months, the ones I can remember anyways, while you start penciling a list of all the hot young single girls you know who you might like to introduce me to this winter...go ahead, don't hog me all to yourself now, be a pal...

Bread of all kinds...tortillas were a disaster as the corn flour is actually polenta grains...oops
wheat bread is still cooling
Hank's Favorite Thai-style Butternut Squash Soup
Sushi - even in Italy!
Roasted Pepper Stew
Polenta like 3 different ways
Pasta noodles from scratch!
lasagna, with the homemade noodles
Heaps of Curries with hand made Naan bread - super fun!
Risotto in as many ways as a last minute group lunch will allow
Baked farm fresh apples...mmmm a tasty winter weather treat!
Chai Tea from scratch
I sorta helped with the beer making, and I hear my coffee stout is getting real good
Roasted Chicken with garlic, taters and fresh herbs - easy but I have not had an oven in years!
homemade (I guess that's implied...) croutons
yogurt
zucchini bread
tom kai Thai style veggies...mmmmmtasty...
cappuccinos (the only reason I bring this one up is that each time I can actually FEEL the 3 dollar savings!)
Paella just last week that had even Beatrice going back for more!
dressings and sauces
and Im sure there are more I forgot...

With a list like that you might think I would come home a ballooned up freak, but somehow I feel fit and strong too. Maybe its fresh food, when you get beef here it was probably killed that morning, not the prettiest picture for the vegetarians, but with clean water and grass fed beef the meat here is pretty great. And the veggies come out of the garden, you cant beat that! I might have a tough time coming back to the states and eating preservative filled and wax coated foods. Maybe Ill set things off on the right foot and have my ride from the airport in San Diego take me straight to an In-n-Out!


Mamma always said you gotta be good in the kitchen or good in the bedroom; thank god I can cook!

Bon Apetito,
S.