Spaghetti and Meatball muffins recipe

How about turning an Italian dish into an American treat that your kids will love? My Neapolitan husband claims the idea of spaghetti and meatballs in itself is an American invention therefore... at this point... anything goes. YEHAY!

Follow this simple recipe for super-cool Spaghetti & Meatball muffins:

Ingredients:
170g spaghetti
1½ tablespoon olive oil
1½ cups parmesan cheese, grated
1½ cups tomato based pasta sauce
12 cooked meatballs
½ cup basil, roughly chopped
cooking spray

Preparations:
Preheat oven to 190C.
1.) Cook spaghetti NOT following packet directions, drain when very AL DENTE and allow to cool.
2.) Spray 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
3.) Pour 1 cup cheese into spaghetti pan and toss.
3b) You might wish to add an egg for the nests to better stick together.
4.) Divide spaghetti between the 12 muffin cups, arranging spaghetti to make a nest.
5.) Top each nest with 1 tablespoon of pasta sauce, a meatball, another tablespoon pasta sauce.
6.) Sprinkle each with parmesan cheese.
7.) Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or until cheese has melted.
8.) Cool slightly before eating, garnish with a chopped basil.

An interpretation of La Befana

The Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated January 6th with a national holiday in Italy as well as Ticino, and the tradition of La Befana are a big part of Christmas celebrations. Epiphany commemorates the 12th day of Christmas when the three Wise Men arrived at the manger bearing gifts for Baby Jesus.

La Befana has been an Italian tradition since the XIII century and comes from Christian legend rather than popular culture. It is the tale of a witch known as La Befana who arrives on her broomstick during the night of January 5 and fills the stockings with toys and sweets for the good children and lumps of coal for the bad ones.

According to the legend, the night before the Wise Men arrived at the manger they stopped at the shack of an old woman to ask directions. They invited her to come along but she replied that she was too busy. Then a shepherd asked her to join him but again she refused. Later that night, she saw a great light in the sky and decided to join the Wise Men and the shepherd bearing gifts that had belonged to her child who had died.

She got lost and never found the manger.

Now La Befana flies around on her broomstick each year on the 11th night, bringing gifts to children in hopes that she might find the Baby Jesus. Children hang their stockings on the evening of January 5 awaiting the visit of La Befana.

So what did La Befana bring you this year? Sweeties or Coal?

La Befana vien di notte

con le scarpe tutte rotte

col vestito alla romana:

Viva viva la Befana!

La befana vien di notte

con le scarpe tutte rotte

porta un sacco pien di doni

da regalare ai bimbi buoni

La befana vien di notte

con le scarpe tutte rotte

viene e bussa alla tua porta

sai tu dirmi che ti porta?

A family day at the EXPO 2015

The Universal Exhibition in Milano was reason enough for me to take the kids out of school for a day and travel to Italy hoping we'd enjoy an unforgettable experience. It sure was memorable but not entirely as expected.

Having bought the tickets online a year ago, reserved a place in the parking garage, even booked entry vouchers for the Swiss stand, I felt I was ready to face the humongous site showcasing more than 140 participating countries. Each pavilion was asked to present - through some mind-googling technology at times - a concrete answer to a vital need: being able to guarantee healthy, safe and sufficient food for everyone, while respecting the Planet and its equilibrium.

I might be biased but I do feel the Swiss managed to visually and emotional defend their case. They were by the way, the first country to join the Expo Milano 2015.

Its pavilion was made up of four towers, full of local food products which the visitor could take away. But there was a limit to the resources available, to exceed that limit meant depriving other visitors of the same opportunities.

Thanks to the modularity of the structure, the platform on which the towers stand is lowered as they are emptied, allowing everyone to see for themselves their own habits of consumption. The project, which focuses on the availability and distribution of food resources in the world, invites visitors to reflect on their behavior as consumers.

Apart from curing our home-sickness, however, we had to fight the hoards of visitors. It started at the parking house where we queued to find a place, despite the reservation. We were asked to take the shuttle to the main exhibition entrance, walked across some bridges for another 10 minutes, stood patiently though the security check and when the finally the gates opened in front of us (about 50 minutes after having driven onto the site) we felt like we had entered an International Disney Land!

Where to start? Argentina was Expat boys natural answer, he was born there. 50 minutes of queuing for a very disappointing slide show. Spain's slideshow was slightly more entertaining and only 20 minutes of waiting in line. Guess what? Haiti, Venezuela and Kenya had no queues. We skipped Japan's stunning pavilion, apparently 6 hours of patience was required for that visit. No way!

The US contingency which was trying to sell placemats, mugs and t-shirts was very disappointing, especially since their entrance looked to be the grandest one of all. The kids could not even get excited about the food trucks out the back given we were - after all - in Italy!

Qatar's building tempted us with images of 1001 Nights and after standing in line under the pouring rain for 40 minutes the presentation of a typical local feast made out of some sort of plastic did not live up to our expectations.

So, the message about respecting the planet and its food sustainability did get lost in whirlwind of country-hoping. Tourist promotion would be a more adapt term. The crowds were un-imaginable. Picture Heathrow airport at Christmas then imagine it 10 times worse. The day we visited the Expo we were 4 of 178'000 battling our way through the crowds from 12:00 to 21:00! The next day, the event hit a record number of 272'000 visitors!!!!

The best part in the kids opinion was the food! We enjoyed many different regional delicacies and despite the queues for drink and food, once we found a little spot in the sun, we had a smashing time eating our way through the continents!

It's a challenge!

Going with the flow...

Argentina's pavilion looked very promising.

Spanish creativity

Guess what? The auditorium is PiNk!

Casa de Italia: 3 hours of queue. Not happening!

Impressive architecture...

... everywhere you turn.

American Food 2.0 ???

Welcome to Switzerland

It's all about sharing

Quantities are calculated to last for the entire 6 month of the exhibit...

... IF every visitor only helps himself to one portion!?!

The last two cartons of dried apples...

... which are rapidly diminishing!

  

 If I share with my daughter, the portion of apples might last another 52 days. 

Sadly, the apples lasted only additional two days!

Switzerland is rich in natural water thanks to its many mountain springs.

Expat girl was inspired by the Swiss pavillon

 Hitting the crowds AGAIN!!!

A well kept secret: Haiti!

Qatar from the outside looked much more promising than...

... from the inside!

The French pavilion was a nice surprise: creative and welcoming. 

The Dutch had no budget for a pavilion so a backstreet food market was mounted

which totally felt like Little Amsterdam: good job!

The tree of life granted a well deserved break from all the chaos.

 We ended the day with a well deserved Neapolitan dessert: la sfogliatella!

Gigi d'Alessio is coming to town

My hubby is Neapolitan so Gigi d'Alessio is a big feature in our household. The 48-year-old Italian singer and songwriter is presenting his tour called "Progetto Malaterra", a project of Gigi D'Alessio and #CampaniaSicura.

In this tour Gigi D’Alessio puts together a show where tradition and innovation merge creating a unique atmosphere. This event will be full of magical moments and unexpected surprises but will also spread the message of the cause that inspired the whole project.

The tracklist will include some of the worldwide renowed hits of the music from Naples. These tunes will also be included in Gigi D’Alessio’s new album, all sung in the traditional Neapolitan language, half of which are written by Gigi himself.

During the event there will be a space dedicated to the food products from Campania and to the efforts needed to fight the reality of “Terra Dei Fuochi” literally “the land of fires” that is affecting the Campania’s economy and life.

In this respect, at every European stop, Gigi D’Alessio will screen the documentary called “Malaterra” in which the artist personally promotes the treasures of Campania through a real and round reportage in his homeland.

Gigi D'Alessio looks back on a 20-year career with more than 20 million albums sold, a diamond and more than 100 platinum albums back. A concert not to be missed if you like Italian music.

Venue: Concerto Gigi d'Alessio
Where: Palazzo dei Congressi, Piazza Indipendenza 4, 6900 LUGANO
Date: Wednesday October 14th, 2015
Time: Door opens at 19:00 Concert starts at 20:30
Click here for tickets: http://www.ticketcorner.ch/gigi-dalessio-lugano

What do Italians think of PopTarts?

This video is too funny for words. If you live between two worlds such as I (in this case America and Italy) you will enjoy these Italians tasting American candy and voicing their opinion. Admittedly it is junk food but just take it with a pitch of salt.

Italians Try American Sweets For The First Time
Posted by BuzzFeed Video on Wednesday, 24 June 2015

Sicilian Fennel Salad

It has been a very long time since I posted a recipe. Last week I came across an inspiring Sicilian salad. I have never used fennel in my kitchen before but after having tasted this salad, it will become part of our family cook book.

Ingredients:
3 blood or navel oranges
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 bunches trimmed arugula
2 cored, halved, trimmed medium fennel bulbs
¼ cup oil-cured black olives

Preparation: 
1.) Trim off and discard peel and all of the white pith from oranges, then slice crosswise into thin rounds and set aside.
2.) Mix together extra-virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar in a large salad bowl
3.) Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4.) Tear arugula into large pieces and arrange in the salad bowl.
5.) Slice fennel bulbs into long strips.
6.) Toss salad just before serving, adjust seasonings, then arrange orange slices and black olives on top.

Buon appetito!

EXPO 2015 in Milano

Tomorrow is the big day! The city of Milano has been gearing towards this moment for decades. The world exhibition, “Expo Milano 2015”, is opening its doors tomorrow.

You too can take a trip to the world exhibition between 1 May and 31 October 2015. With SBB you travel direct to the exhibition location and back home again – conveniently and with no traffic jams – thanks to trains offering more than 2000 additional seats per day.

With Milano Rho Fiera only 200 metres from the exhibition site, the best way to travel to Expo Milano 2015 is by train. And you can also stretch your legs or get a bite to eat en route in the restaurant on board EuroCity trains or else from the SBB Minibar.

Under the motto “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”, 144 countries devote themselves to topics such as technology, innovation, culture and tradition. They are focusing on the rights of all people to a healthy and adequate diet. Visit this exciting exhibition – whether alone, with the family, as a company or as a group – including an overnight stay or simply for the day.

SBB are putting on numerous special event trains for Expo Milano 2015. You can find the timetable for these trains here: from Zurich via Lugano to Milano and return.

Switzerland at the Expo
The pavilion for the Swiss project, “Confederatio Helvetica”, consists of a large, open area with four towers filled with apple rings, water, salt and coffee. Visitors are invited to travel up the towers in lifts and help themselves to the Swiss delicacies. As the towers gradually empty, the platforms they are built on start to sink. The gradual emptying of the towers is designed to encourage people to think about their own attitude to consumption.

More information at: www.padiglionesvizzero.ch.

Further information on Expo Milano 2015: www.expo2015.org
You can buy tickets at counters in the Expo shop or online. Tickets cannot be exchanged or returned. Choose here: http://www.expo2015.org/en/tickets/tickets-type

Venetian festival returns to Lugano

After 82 years, the picturesque Venetian Festival is back in town, with dances from the past and the participation of over 50 masks, many of which regularly attend St. Marco's Square in Venice. An event not to miss on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015.

The programme:
14.15: Departure from the Palazzo dei Congressi, Via Canova, Piazza San Rocco, Piazza Dante, arriving at Piazza Cioccaro
14:45: Descent down the staircase of the Cathedral
16:00: Minuets in Piazza San Carlo
16:45: Arrival in Piazza Reform and dances
17:30: Happy Hour with Venetian masks at the restaurants Olympia and Federal, in Piazza Reforma

Programme in case of rain:
14:30: Upon arrival of masks in Piazza Reforma, the groups will find cover under the arcades of the city center
17:30: Happy Hour with Venetian masks in restaurants Olympia and Federal, in Piazza Reforma

For more info contact:
Venetian Mask Forum Ticino
Strada dal Ort 17
6915 Pambio - Noranco
Tel. +41 (0)91 994 24 07
venetianmask@ticino
http://www.venetianmaskticino.altervista.org

Call for volunteers at the EU pavilion at Expo Milano

The pavilion of the European Union intends to offer all young Europeans the opportunity to actively participate in a historic event, Expo Milano 2015, contributing to its activities and creating a unique learning and communication experience.

They are looking for over 900 young persons who have a passion for Europe that they would like to share with visitors to the EU Pavilion in their capacity as volunteers.

Those selected will be responsible for crowd management and easing visitor access to the pavilion as well as the dissemination of information about the contents of the EU's participation in Expo and food-related issues.

People interested must be:
- aged between 18 and 30
- a citizen of a EU country or a country participating in the Erasmus+ program
- have good knowledge of English and fair knowledge of Italian language
- knowledge of other languages ​​will be an asset

The selected volunteers will be engaged for a period of 14 or 15 consecutive days and for a maximum of 5 hours and 30 minutes per day. During the rest of the day they will be free to visit the Expo site and all its pavilions.

The site will be open every day from May 1 to October 31, 2015 from 10 am to 11pm. In their application, candidates should indicate their preferences for the time slot and also choose the role they wish to be considered for. They will also be requested to write a short motivation letter in English.

Volunteers will be trained on the content of the EU pavilion as well as on organisation, logistics and safety rules. Urban transport and food expenses will be covered by the EU. For volunteers who do not live in Milan, university accommodation will be sought at affordable prices. All volunteers will receive an official diploma at the end of their service.

By the first half of February, a dedicated website will be activated for the Volunteer Programme for Europe through which you can send your application online. Ciessevi (Centro servizi per il volontariato nella provincia di Milano) will give timely notice on its website www.ciessevi.org

Expressions of interest should be sent to volontarieuropa@ciessevi.org. Interested volunteers will be contacted shortly and will receive all the information necessary to apply online.

Eataly is only one hour away!

Feeling adventurous? Pop cross the border to Milano...

Destination: Eatlay, Piazza XXV Aprile, 10, 20124 Milano

I have been hearing from my friends across the globe about this a high-end Italian food market/mall chain comprising a variety of restaurants, food and beverage stations, bakery, and retail items. Driving into the city trying hard to remember (after having left the city 14 years ago) which road to take, I recognised the site where once the old Teatro Smeraldo stood. Honestly, I actually preferred the theatre.

However, as a tribute to this historic Milanese location, Eataly hosts a huge stage and offers a totally free season of music, which includes all the genres, from pop to rock to opera, as well as hosting recitals, readings, cabaret, theatre, ballet, meetings and art shows and naturally gastronomic ones.

My description would be: much todo about nothing. Eataly might make sense in New York, Dubai, Istanbul or Tokyo but in Milano? Admittedly, it is a treat and fun to browse around the 5000 m2 devoted to food and the best, locally sourced products spread out over 4 floors but most delicacies can be found around the corner... if you know where to find them! Or just walk down the road to the open markets of San Marco or Piazzale Lagosta!

A perfect shot

Seen from above these Adriatic aerial views seem spectacular and allow for great photography but can you imagine sitting under one of those umbrellas at a distance of about 30cm from your neighbour. If you're lucky, your neighbour will have bambini and will be hooked to the mobile phone. Wouldn't that be a brilliant interpretation of a nice, relaxing holiday? NOT!

For now, just enjoy the fantastic shots by Bernhard Lang who had the wonderful idea of photographing Italy's Beach Resorts from above:

10 things Italian children learn at the table

The dining table is the most important piece of furniture in Italian houses. Italian familiy relationships are forged “a tavola” and children learn very soon how they should behave.

 1.) SI MANGIA TUTTI INSIEME - WE EAT ALL TOGETHER
Italian children are treated as young adults. Adults and kids eat all together. Parents help their kids to eat only until they learn to hold a fork. Then they join the family at the table at the same time.

2.) MANGIAMO LE STESSE COSE - WE EAT THE SAME THINGS
As soon as children don’t need help with the fork, they eat exactly what adults have on the plate. They eat smaller portions of course, but learn to taste different foods very early.

3.) È PRONTO! - IT’S READY
When mom or dad say “è pronto”, kids must join immediately the family at the table. If they don’t, parents or older brothers go and pick them up. No excuses.

4.) AIUTAMI A PREPARARE IL TAVOLO - HELP ME TO SET THE TABLE
It’s like a game. When mamma (nowadays also papà) asks for some help for setting the table, children put la tovaglia, the table cloth (there’s no Italian table without table cloth!) i tovaglioli (napkins), i piatti (plates) and le posate (fork and knife).

5.) USA FORCHETTA E COLTELLO - USE FORK AND KNIFE
It is amazing to see how Italian children learn to use fork and knife so early. Of course, they start using safe knives. A fork is as dangerous as a knife, the soonest children learn to use knives properly, the better for them.

6.) PER FAVORE, GRAZIE E PREGO - PLEASE, THANKS AND YOU ARE WELCOME
Please, thanks and you are welcome, per favore, grazie e prego are words children learn at the table when they ask for more food, for water or salt.

7.) NIENTE COCA COLA - NO COKE, WE DRINK WATER
Soft drinks in Italy are not as common as they are in the US. Italians usually drink water. Coca Cola is allowed in pizzeria or in special occasions.

8.) FACCIAMO GLI GNOCCHI? - LET’S MAKE GNOCCHI TOGETHER
There are positive side effects coming from this terrible economic crisis. Italian people are starting again to make their own food with basic ingredients, and ask grandma and grandpa how to prepare proper food. It’s cheaper and better. Just like 40 years ago, children learn how to make bread, pizza, gnocchi and pasta with mom and dad.

9.) NON LO MANGI OGGI, LO MANGI DOMANI - YOU DON’T EAT IT TODAY, YOU EAT IT TOMORROW
Italian parents used to be quite strict with bambini capricciosi, naughty children. Whenever kids refused to eat things they didn’t like, mamma put the same thing on the plate the day after. Nowadays parents are softer, but this rule still exists in some families.

10.) NON SI MANGIA FUORI DAI PASTI - DON’T EAT AT STRANGE HOURS. RESPECT LUNCH AND SUPPER TIME
Merenda is the Italian word for the afternoon snack. Fruit, a small pizza (pizzetta), focaccia (soft bread with salt and olive oil) or a panino with salame or prosciutto (Italian sandwich) are common. That’s the only food they are allowed to eat outside regular meals.  Before lunch (pranzo) and after supper (cena) the fridge (frigorifero) is off limits.

Italian Hand Gestures RAP

Take a look at this video and tell me what the American Consulate in Milano was thinking. This crash course on Italian Gestures will teach you how to talk with your hands like a real Italian. I am wondering if the Ambassador is in the loop?

Here are the 16 gestures:

I am hungry
You are crazy
This is perfect
Time to go

There is nothing
I don't care
Full of people
Are you scared?

Have some water
Drink some wine
Get a coffee
Take your time

This and that
So and so
What do you want?
You must go!

Italian language schools in Lugano

Did yesterday's post about Italian love phases pique your interest? The Italian language belongs to the romance family, a beautiful language and most closely related to it’s original roots of Latin. There is something romantic and fun to speaking to your love in another language. Here are ten more Italian love phrases to choose from.

1. Ti amo - I love you. This is the version only used for a husband/wife, fiancee.
2. Ti voglio bene - I love you. This is the version used for friends, family, boyfriend and girlfriends. Used more commonly on a day to day basis to your love.
3. Ti voglio tanto bene - I love you very much!
4. Sono innamorata/innamorato di te - I am in love with you.
5. Voglio baciarti - I want to kiss you
6. Sei la mia vita - You are my life
7. Ti adoro - I adore you
8. Ho un debole per te - I have a soft spot for you
9. Amore mio - My love
10. Baciami! - Kiss me!

Should you want to perfect your Italian, here is a selection of Italian language schools in Lugano:
(prices might vary)

Scuola Club Migros
http://www.scuola-club.ch
Via Pretorio 15
6900 Lugano
several course options, flexible, intensive courses offered, lesson books not in English, need group for discounts
2 weeks CHF. 680 - (40 lessons)

Scuola ILI
http://www.scuolaili.ch
Via Basilea 22 6900 Lugano
1 week CHF. 360 - (20 lessons)
2 weeks CHF. 640 - (40 lessons)
3 weeks CHF. 900 - (60 lessons)
4 weeks CHF. 1120 - (80 lessons)
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 12:15pm

Format
http://www.cfp-ocst.ch
Via Serafino Balestra 21
6904 Lugano
cheaper than ILI, longer classes, start later
2 weeks CHF. 600 - (40 lessons)
3 weeks CHF. 800 - (60 lessons)
4 weeks CHF. 1000 - (80 lessons)
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm

CCT
http://www.cct.ch
Viale Cattaneo 27
6900 Lugano
evening courses, cheap, non-intensive courses, need group for discount
7 weeks CHF 600 - (10 lessons for 4-12 participants*)
*if you have a group of friends/family/co-workers willing to join in on a language course

CTA Interlingue
http://www.interlingue.ch
Via Monte Boglia 4
6900 Lugano
cheap, flexible course length, intensive courses offered
for 2 weeks | 1 to 3 months | from 4 months on
6 - 8 participants CHF 599.00 | CHF 1’199.00 | CHF 1’160.00
4 - 5 participants CHF 880.00 | CHF 1’760.00 | CHF 1’680.00
2 - 3 participants CHF 1’190.00 | CHF 2’380.00 | CHF 2’366.00
per person a month

Euroscuola
http://www.euroscuola.ch
Via Borromini 3
6900 Lugano
several course options, diploma language prep, flexibility

Reist Lingue
http://www.reistlingue.ch
Via Balestra 12
6900 Lugano
several course options, flexibility, not cheap
2 weeks CHF. 700 - (40 lessons)
4 weeks CHF. 1400 - (60 lessons)

ScuolaLingua
http://www.scuolalingua.ch
Via Nizzola 2
6900 Lugano
1 lesson per week, non-intensive study, long term
24 weeks CHF. 1656 - (72 lessons)

ESL
http://www.esl-languages.com/en/study-abroad/contact/our-office-in-lugano
Via Cattedrale 9
6900 Lugano

USI
http://usi.ch/en/italian_course.htm
Università della Svizzera Italiana
Via Lambertenghi 10 A
6904 Lugano
open to USI students only

The Lugano tourism site is a good resource as well: www.lugano-tourism.ch/file

Christmas with "la famiglia" in Napoli

So, I am officially back from holiday and therefore back in action. Just to give you a taste of Southern Italy and what being married to a Neapolitan means, I am sharing some impressions of a romantic Christmas evening stroll along the bay of Naples in Via Caracciolo.

Castel dell'Ovo (in Italian, Egg Castle) is a castle located on the former island of Megaride, now a peninsula, on the gulf of Naples. The castle's name comes from a legend about the Roman poet Virgil, who had a reputation in medieval times as a great sorcerer, that he put a magical egg into the foundations to support the fortifications.

One of the finest of traditional Italian songs is “Santa Lucia”. At the time that this song came into being, there was no Italy as we know it today. There was, however, a kingdom called "Naples and Sicily", where Santa Lucia, a Catholic saint, was revered, therefore the waterfront district in Naples is called “Santa Lucia”, where of course small craft as well as ships were moored, and that explains the name of the song.

The song was collected and transcribed from the Neapolitan dialect into standard Italian in 1849 by Teodoro Cottrau. I’ve never heard anyone singing any version except the Neapolitan version, which was sung by Caruso, Lanza, Pavarroti and others.

Here is Caruso, singing part of the song:

http://www.italiamerica.org/SantaLucia.htm