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Italy Tips, for EB&Kids, Part IV

Shopping in Pescara/Chieti

First, where to shop.

A block away (on your right when you’re facing the sea) is Falcone Mini Market (Viale Alcione, 201) — they have basics if you run out of something: local olive oil, local wine, butter, milk, sliced bread (though they carry the San Carlo brand which we find too dry), plus [...]

Pics, March 2009 Part II

Really affordable mozzarella — the kind we buy at Jungle Jim’s for $9-10 a PIECE. This here container has 10 balls, at 4.50 Euro (it was on sale — regular price is 6.10). – March 19

Aisa having fun with the mirrors at home (the blue-looking area in the very back is the laundry room). [...]

Day 14, Italy

More notes. Can’t really write blog posts (unless I write them ahead of time) because our “high speed Internet” (HAHA) fluctuates so unpredictably. Like 435 Kbps one second and 0 the next. Ugh. But. Not complaining. It’s still better than no ‘net at all. And our family isn’t suffering [...]

Grocery Shopping in Italy – Test Menu and Budget

Sunday Breakfast
Pane Bianco Barilla .89
Latte .65
Caffe Splendid Aroma Ricco 2.69
Mele Golden 1.19

Sunday Lunch
Braciole di Maiale 4.49
Ananas .99
Riso Parboiled Classico Flora 2.85

Sunday Dinner
Fesa di Tacchino a Tranci 4.99
Pomodori Ciliegino .99
Corvo Bianco Sicilia 3.29
Riso Parboiled Classico Flora 2.85

Monday Breakfast
Pane Bianco Barilla .89
Yogurt .65
Acqua San Benedetto Minerale 1.74

Monday Lunch
Orate Viversano Naz 7.99
Cuori di Carciofi Findus 2.95
Olio Farchioni 3.69
Riso Parboiled [...]

In a Few Short Weeks….

These will be Friday dinners:

Pizza in Pescara

This one sounds like fast food, but intriguing enough:

HelloPizza at [...]

Tuesday Night Dinner: Hoppin’ John

Some history here.

where these:

become this:

in this [...]

Thanksgiving Day’s Apple Pie

Aisa uploaded the pics!

with rope-and-lattice butter-and-lard pie crust. Yum.

and the caramel nut tart which finally made an appearance again after all [...]

It’s Soup Season: Barley Soup Johri’s Talvo

Last week it was oxtail soup using the beautiful oxtails from Mohr Animal Acres. Then a “Cheater’s Pho Bo” with canned beef broth, canned chicken broth and a rib-eye steak from Mohr also.

Last night was a hit, Barley Soup, the recipe from Johri’s Talvo in St. Moritz (Switzerland). I didn’t have any Bundnerfleisch so [...]

For Denise: Lechon Turkey / Pabochon

Lechon Turkey/Pabochon

1 10-12 lb. turkey, rinsed thoroughly, giblets, etc. removed
1 cup fish sauce (patis) (or 2 cups kosher salt or 1 cup table salt) (available in Asian stores, a good Filipino brand is Rufina)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
2 lemons or 10 calamansi (aka calamondin, a tiny, green, [...]

Tea Reviews

St. James Darjeeling Tea *

Taylors of Harrogate Assam Tea *

Harney and Sons Decaffeinated Earl Grey **

Bleh. You get what you pay for. This has [...]

Food, Humor, Organization, and Gift Ideas

Luxury for Mom:

Started off the early morning with 1/4 cup of Mariebelle Aztec Hot Chocolate… just enough for me to handle in the dark hours of the dawn…

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Yena’s Quote of the Month: “Mom, what’s the name of that movie, Princess Diarrhea?” (Princess Diaries)… oh my child, so blessedly out [...]

My Asian Pantry

Need to use up these things before we leave. I’ll be crossing out as I use them up.

“oriental noodles” (from mommy)
5 century eggs
acorn starch (K)
agar sticks 3
agar strands
baby corn
bean curd sheets
belacan
besan flour
bihon 1/2
black corn
bonito flakes
Botan rice
chee hou sauce
chili powder (K)
chinese green tea 2
coconut shreds (dried, Indian)
dried anchovies
dried kamias
dried lily flowers 2
dried mushrooms 2
dried shrimp (K)
fermented [...]

Grocery Shopping in Italy

Kids, here you go. In a few short months. (Argh, do you see rice?)

Ipercoop: Better practice at [...]

My Alma Mater is once again hosting

the VP debate!!

Yea!! (Go Bears [...]

Spicy Broccoli Braise

Heat canola oil in skillet, over high heat. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, sliced onions, and crushed red pepper flakes (or broken up dried Chinese hot pepper). Stir-fry 10 seconds. Add broccoli florets and 1/4 cup water. Cover for 3-5 minutes and cook over medium-high heat, just until broccoli is almost done. [...]