Tell me how you dress and I will tell you who you are....

Shorts, thongs....  Clothes represent personality and social status in Italy so people wear nice clothing almost all the time.

Italians seeing you for the first time will judge you by your appearance, and will respond accordingly. So if you dress or look like a tourist, you will be treated like one. For this reason when you go to Italy try to blend in, wear nice clothes and have fun!!

In this way you will also avoid attracting the wrong people!!

When in Rome … drink coffee as the Romans do...including myself!!!

One thing that often perplexes Australians visiting Italy is the coffee and the whole cafe experience. Italians have some very strong rituals and norms when it comes to coffee but it’s not that hard to make your way around the cafe experience like a local if you know the basics.

This is me enjoying a coffee in New Farm

                                      

While here in Australia for me drinking coffee has become a social experience, as it is for many other people, in Italy this action is seen more of a transaction, a necessity of daily life, though an enjoyable necessity to be savoured several times during the day. 

This explains why coffee is mostly drunk al bar. It’s quick and easy to stop and order a coffee on the way to work, or during the late morning or even in the afternoon. Coffee is generally ordered at the counter to the barista after you have paid at the cashier and handed over your docket. However, if you want to try this experience in the early morning, don't be surprised if you are surrounded by many other people, who are rushing around with their busy lives. 

Anyway, if you think this is too much for you, just sit at the table and wait to be served, however expect to pay a higher price for the table service.

Different types of coffees are also drunk during the day. You would never see an Italian drinking cappuccino after a meal or after 10.30am, so next time you are in Italy don't forget this! DON'T ORDER A LATTE OR A CAPPUCCINO AFTER A MEAL. They will look at you in a funny way!!!

If you can't really drink just black coffee, order a macchiato, an espresso with a dash of milk or even better, a caffe' corretto, an espresso with a nip of Sambuca or Grappa (after dinner).

After saying that...just go and have fun!

Join me in my tours and drink coffee with me in the morning before we head off somewhere around Italy! 

Let's Cook Italian : Italian cooking classes in New Farm

 So, you tell me...who doesn't like to eat?
Well, there's going to be a new Italian Cooking course in May!!!
Come and have fun!!!

Cannelloni 

Frappe

Simona Albanese 

More info here:

Follow me on the Facebook page : Italian Cultural Experience

Let's cook Italian

The term is gone, however there will be a new Italian Cooking course starting in May at New Farm State School. 

The course is limited to 8 people and it runs for three consecutive weeks.

In classes you cook, you eat and you meet some new friends!

So....I see you in class!

Here I'm in class with my students! We are preparing cannelloni and scaloppine!!!

                         

A presto!!!

ITALIAN CLASSES : Traveller, Conversation, Intermediate and Advanced

Italian classes at New Farm State School with Simona Albanese

Term 1 is almost finished, as well as the Italian courses. I will be off to Europe very soon to escort a new tour, therefore I have here new courses already organised for next term.

The new classes will start in May at New Farm State School and they will last 6 weeks.

Italian Beginners/Traveller
Monday,  May 12th

Italian Conversation
Monday, May 12th

Italian Intermediate 
Tuesday, May 13th

Italian Advanced 
Tuesday, May 13th

For info in regards to class you can contact me directly.
For enrolment contact Nancy at nfsscommunityed@live.com.au

I look forward to meeting you in class!

A presto!

Simona
Your connection to Italy

Rome, the water and the public fountains

In Rome there are many famous fountains as the Trevi fountain in Piazza di Trevi or the Barcaccia at the bottom of the Spanish Steps or the Four Rivers fountain in Piazza Navona....but few seem to realize that the water coming from the fountains is not only free, but clean and drinkable. 

So next time you’re in Rome be sure to take a sip from the waters of the Eternal City! Especially when it is summer, it is so nice to stop and have a drink of water for free!

public fountain in Rome

In appearance some of these fountains are not so attractive, nevertheless the water is always fresh! The nasoni or big nose are round and stout, they are made of cast iron and produce fresh water. On each one of them you will find the initials S.P.Q.R. stamped, which stands for Senātus Populusque Rōmānus (Senate and People of Rome), that you can also find on the rubbish bin and on the city’s sewer grates. The water for these fountains comes from the Riserve del Peschiera which runs approximately seventy miles of channels before emerging from the spout of a city fountain.

The water fountains is the same that comes out of the Roman houses, so if you just around the city and you have are thirsty you can refill your bottle in one of these fountains.

Lorenzo @ the Gianicolo 

There are plenty of them around, from Campo dei Fiori, to the Pantheon, to the Trevi fountain, just to mention the most popular ones. Anyway if you want to know where they are located, have a look to  the map provided by the www.acea.it.

BUONA PASSEGGIATA!

ZUPPA DI CAVOLFIORE (CAULIFLOWER SOUP)

Cauliflower is a vegetable typical of the winter season, which is likely to be prepared in many ways and is ideal for making delicious soups. The ZUPPA DI CAVOLFIORE is a rustic dish prepared with simple ingredients which give a special flavour to the preparation. 

The cauliflower soup is a delicious first course, light and nutritious, quick and easy to prepare, especially if it served hot with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. 

The white cauliflower comes from the Marche region, from where this recipe comes from.

The process is very easy! 

Just start blending together a quarter of an onion, half a carrot and a piece of celery

blending 

Then chop a cauliflower and two small potatoes.

cauliflower

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, the carrot and the celery and cook, stirring, for 5-6 minutes or until soft. Then add the cauliflower, potato, stock and water. Cover and bring to the boil. 

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes or until the cauliflower and the potatoes are tender. 

cooking the soup

Leave the soup to rest aside for a short time and then blend until smooth. Add some cream and season with some salt and cheese. 

blend the soup

Ladle soup among serving bowls and drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil. Season with some extra cheese and serve with some fresh bread.

cauliflower soup

ENJOY!