Viva Italiano! --From the Ville

In February, our dining group visited Italy, via the Gainesville route. Casa di Gough did a top notch job with setting the Tuscan mood with Chianti bottles, grape leaves and rich colors. I could kick myself, because somehow I lost all the pictures I planned on using, and now I am resorting to using back up pictures. But even with using the backup pictures, the table looks great. Upping the ante for the next hostess (me), Jeanette even made menus (dang it!)



Let's talk food!

Bruschetta
Nothing tops a fresh bruschetta!


Chicken Parmigiana
She may be Cuban, but I am pretty sure she has an Italian relative hiding somewhere because this chicken parmigiana was to die for. I've never had such an impressive sauce made from ingredients I would never had thought (anchovies paste,carrots and white wine!) Typically I am not a pasta person, but I could eat this all the time. And how does one top the best sauce? With homemade pasta. Homemade!!! Trust me when I say this picture does not do it justice. Ouch! (that's me kicking myself)


Salad
The salad was an Olive Garden recreation all the way down to the top secret home made dressing. Olive Gardens all you can eat soup,salad, and bread sticks is my idea of heaven, so I was one happy gal.


Triple Chocolate Tiramusi
I had the dessert this round and decided on a triple chocolate tiramisu simply because I saw it online and instantly wanted it in my mouth. The more and more I attempt this whole cooking thing, the more and more I realize how ill-equipped my kitchen is for cooking (note to self: buy beater). I am also learning that Google is a girls best friend as I realized "stiff peaks" isn't something naughty, but a term used when whipping heavy creme.

(Look at that presentation! So impressive! Okay, I stole it from the internet.)

Chianti
If you know Danielle, you know there isn't a Chianti out there without her name on it. And luckily for us, she knew just the ones to get to compliment our meal.


There's more?!
As if the menus were not enough, we were sent home with a little bottle of olive oil infused with rosemary from her garden. Her garden!!!

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What a great evening! The food was delish, the company was great, and I am actually learning all kinds of cooking things I never knew before. Heck, I can even type "stiff peaks" without giggling now! Okay, most of the time... Next month is my turn and we are doing an Irish theme. I am thinking I will just get a chalkboard and write "BEER" on it (menu) and get everyone really drunk and see if we all wake up in my garden. Also called "the weeds outside my house."