The College Contessas are more than just some college girls learning to cook. Anyone can make a cake. But, it's what goes into the cake... and the bonding while baking the cake that is important. We are learning about the world and it's people, God, and how we all get through this crazy thing we call Life.
We're Christian Contessas who love food, and we know that God is mysterious. He speaks volumes... in ways sometimes we least expect. Maybe even food. I don't think it's a coincidence that Jesus's last supper was with his best friends around the table, breaking bread and drinking wine.
Every Culture does Food a little differently. As we College Contessas venture out into the world across desserts, hillsides, rivers, oceans, and mountains, we'll discover new aspects of life...many times this will start with a meal in an unfamiliar land. With each bite, we'll be learning a bit more. It's all about learning to live, one bite at a time.
Italy - La Dolce Vita
One of our very own contessas went abroad to Italy this past summer. For seven weeks she explored the Tuscan countryside, coastal cities, and even went out of the country to other areas in Europe. When asked what she took away most from her time abroad, she says, "Definitely the food. I have a whole new fascination for it and where food comes from. In Italy, they eat what the land provides. Food is sweet and simple. No culinary circus acts. When you look at your plate, you can name every ingredient. You know where it comes from... the local Market. Think barrels of fruits, nuts, vegetables, fruit pasta, local fish and meats...Long story short, Cherrios are not the household staple in Italy."
Grocery shopping in Italy is an entire different experience. Instead of Walmart, Publix, Kroger with rows of shelves full of boxes, you have barrels of fruits and vegetables (even dried fruit), fresh meat cut by the local butcher, fish from the coast, fresh pastas, sauces... the list goes on and on. There's no such thing as a 2-week grocery run. You buy what you eat for that night. Everything is homemade and fresh, but that doesn't mean it takes hours to prepare.
What was the most interesting thing she ate? That's a tough one... Probably the Cheese and Honey but the Pear and Pecorino Ravioli is a close second. They sound weird, but both are absolutely delicious. The College Contessas have tried it for themselves during their Italian dinner night last Sunday, September 9th. Yes, we're living "The Sweet Life".
Cheese and Honey
Living the sweet life!
Pear and Pecorino Ravioli
Spain - Viva La Vida!
Barcelona, Spain was another hot spot that our Caprese Contessa hit up during her summer abroad. She was only in Spain for a weekend, but she got a pretty great taste of life there. The food was very different from what she had expected. Spanish food does not consist of a taco. But, rice and beans are common. In Barcelona, seafood is even more common. The speciality is certainly the Seafood Paella. Although, she was there only four days, this dish was a part of almost every meal.
Seafood Paella... Spanish style
For dessert, there was only one obvious choice: Churros Con Chocolate
Fresh juices for 1 euro? Si, Por Favor
A Spanish Meadley.
Rice, Vegetables, and a giant Falafel!
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