Two friends reunited (via facebook) bridging the time gap of 30 years, the geographical gap - Australia and USA, and the generation gap; by blogging about food, fashion, fotography, fitness, family, and friends.
Renotta ........http://rrtdesigns.blogspot.com/ Web- www.shopatnextdoor.com/ http://projectknitway.blogspot.com/
Clara ........"Developing a fusion of contemporary food with health, fitness and creative ideas.
http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com - Web www.fitinyourjeanscuisine.com/
http://babyboomerconnections.blogspot.com/ Web www.babyboomerconnections.com.au/


Showing posts with label Italian cuisine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian cuisine. Show all posts

Monday, March 28, 2011

Answers to important research questions - "Bruschette, Bruschetti, Bruschetta?"

R -

 Back to Italian cooking as we do, given that Roberto has Italian roots.    Do you know that cooking and food are absolutely the main topic of conversation in Italy.  And yes, my questions re Bocconcini  and Bruschetta were considered carefully and responded to, with thought and understanding.  So thanks Bella, from http://www.timeintuscany.com/  for taking the time to do so.  As mentioned in previous blogs, we are fortunate to have spent time with Bella and Bello, terms of endearment,  roughly translated into 'lovely woman and lovely man,'  have enjoyed their wonderful hospitality and 'talking about and savouring fabulous food!'
Qu 2 - What is bocconcini - is it the same as mozzarella?

Bella's answer - Bocconcini is mozzarella in bite size pieces. Bocconcini means small mouth.
Qu 1 - Bruschette, Bruschetti, Bruschetta?
Bella's answer - Bruschette [not bruschetti] is plural for bruschetta. Hope this helps!

One more question please. Is crostini, singular or plural and is it essentially a small bruschetta?

Clara


Bello on the job

ps -  Did you know that Mr Google actually doesn't know everything!  Friends are better and much more fun.  But ............

Research today: - A Yr 7 assignment on health issues,  actually asked
for 2  'other' resources apart from the Internet.  Whoooh!  Big ask!!!   Like, perhaps, an old fashioned idea such as a book, or a newspaper article. 
A lucky solution was arrived at - "Look up the net to find newspaper articles."   Not bad, actually, since a quick perusal of the local paper didn't actually directly answer the assignment question, and newspaper articles are arranged re subjects and published date.  Wow!  But are our kids losing out by having so much information at their fingertips?




Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Crostini or Bruschette? Is bocconcini the same as mozzarella?

The differences are fuzzy
Hi there
Some vital questions!
Qu 1 - Crostini or Bruschette? Is crostini a small bruschette?
Qu 2 - What is bocconcini - is it the same as mozzarella?


 Qu 1 - Give up? Yes, crostini is smaller and is served as an aperitivo but the correct answer is that crostini is usually made with white bread instead of sourdough but the difference is fuzzy.
The Italians simply grill a half-inch slice of ciabatta, rub it with a cut clove of garlic, drizzle it with oil, and season it with salt and pepper.


My favourite method, being an 'ovenphile' is to preheat oven to 160°C/ 320 F. Line an oven tray with baking paper and bake slices which have been sprayed on both sides with olive oil, for about 8-10 minutes or until golden and crisp. While hot, rub with garlic. Add prepared topping of your choice. For approx 12 crostini, here a few favourites but you can use your imagination and personal taste to create the perfect Italian aperitivo, whether it be a crostini or bruschette.


tapenade with goat's cheese
Intense flavours offset with
goat's cheese and basil


mixed herb crostini
Any mixture of soft herbs like fennel tops, basil, parsley, mint, chervil or thyme leaves, with cherry tomatoes and parmesan over the top.

cannellini beans with garlic Coarse puree with rosemary oil

prosciutto, figs, and mint
Drape piece of prosciutto over hot crostini and squash a piece of fig on top

blue cheese with pear
Salty, sharp blue cheese combined with sweet, juicy pear is sublime.

buffalo mozzarella and chilli
Torn mozzarella, sprinkled with chopped chilli, drizzled with olive oil and finished with basil.

I'm just a baby!



 








Qu 2 - What is bocconcini - is it the same as mozzarella?
Bocconcini are Italian cheese balls about the size of cherry tomatoes. They are actually a fresh type of mozzarella. small, semi-soft, white and rindless, unripened, usually made from a combination of water buffalo and cow's milk. Bocconcini are packaged in whey or water, have a spongy texture and absorb flavours.

There are endless possibilities.
For full recipes and more - http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com/

 Clara

Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au