We all have a bucket list, things we have always wanted to do. Well last Saturday I got to check off one of those items,taking a cooking class with a great chef. The class was held at one of my favorite restaurants, IL FORNAIO Woodland Hills, in the new Village, a gourmet shopping & dining experience close to home. (Yay for us!)
My dear friend Sylvia, whose family is from the Puglia region of Italy, and I were in for a treat. Both of us are major "foodies" who love to cook and entertain. I met Sylvia and her sister Rose when I was in my twenties and both were very instrumental in teaching me the art of great food and hospitality. We couldn't believe this was our first ever live class. ( I won't tell you our ages now. Yikes!)
What a nice format! We were seated at a large dinner table with a bag of imported Italian pasta and ingredient notes at each place setting.
Chef Giuseppe DiMola, also from the Puglia region, and the chef in Beverly Hills for many years, expertly instructed us. We picked up some fabulous recipes and tips that can only come from a chef trained in Italy. The chef would prepare and instruct a course as we watched. Then it would be served from the kitchen. When we finished eating that course he would go on to the next one. I loved it!!!
First course: Insalata Siciliana with romaine lettuce, orange, fennel and shrimp. Healthy, vibrant and beautifully presented.
And here is my plate. Yum!!!
What a nice group of "classmates"!
Timballo al Forno, baked pasta with tomato sauce, eggplant, boiled eggs and mozzarella, was the savory main course. We learned the secret to frying eggplant so it stays crisp. I was also amazed to learn that they don't eat angel hair pasta in Italy. That's an American thing. A good authentic Italian pasta should take 14 minutes to cook.
I can't wait to make this at home! Yep! I now know how it's done in Italy. The real way. The secret is in the ricotta. But alas I'll never tell.
This peaceful scene just outside the restaurant was the end to a perfecto afternoon. Great food, instruction, company, and service. Soooooo worth it. I'm looking forward to doing this again!
Almost home and so thankful to live the SMALL TOWN LIFE IN BIG L.A.
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