Fantastico

My day could've ended at 1:00 and I would've been perfectly happy.

Today I made quite possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten: Vitellina Fricta (Fried Veal). The sauce was incredible. But really...to die for.

Today was meat:

• Pullus Fusilis, two ways (Chicken with Liquid Filling--Ancient Roman Recipe and Marcella's variation)
  -The Ancient Roman recipe of Pullus Fusilis is actually not a liquid filling at all, so Marcella changed it to fit the title better.
• Abbacchio Alla Romana (Baby Lamb, Roman Style)
• Vitellina Fricta (Fried Veal)
  -The veal itself wasn't even the best part of this dish. I'm telling you, the sauce...AH. The best part is that it was so simple--raisins, honey, wine, reduced balsamic vinegar ("Sapa"), cumin, oregano and other spices. AHH. By the end of lunch I was just eating sauce by the spoonful :)

I de-boned, stuffed and sewed up the chicken which was actually kind of fun.

I thought the lamb was going to be my favorite (because lamb is my favorite meat), but the sauce for the lamb had a lot of rosemary in it (my least favorite spice), so I didn't like it as much as I had anticipated. The veal was unreal. Well, the sauce was. I am definitely going to use it on a brisket when I get home so friends and family--get ready.

Today I also learned how to make bechamel, another basic foundation that can be used in many dishes such as flan, lasagna or moussaka. We used a thick bechamel as the basis for a zucchini souffle that we ate with the Pullus Fusilis (Marcella's version).

Zucchini Souffles

Pullus Fusilis, Marcella's version

Pullus Fusilis, Ancient Roman Recipe

Abbacchio alla Romana

Vitellina Fricta

After class I walked along the river and re-energized at a cafe near the Uffizi. And by re-energized I mean I paid 5 euro for a stomach ache (in the form of a disgustingly sweet "caffe freddo," which was more like a Starbucks CRAPpuccino (frappuccino?) than anything I would call an iced coffee--I just wanted coffee over ice...and then it was 5 euro! WHAT? Gross.)

I visited Cappelle Medicee -- lots of artifacts (Pope Leo X's staff), sarcophagi, a huge marble and granite room intended to be the Medici family mausoleum, but never completed and various unfinished Michaelangelo sculptures (like most of them are). There was a tour from Canada in the last room with most of the Michaelangelo pieces, so I got to learn a bit, too :).

Then I walked through the San Lorenzo market and looked at some leather and jewelry. It's nice being here so long because it gives me time to shop around a lot before buying anything :).

So far today has been a great success: I ate the best thing I've ever eaten (let alone made!), and I didn't get any tomatoes thrown at me! ... yet :)

Lesson of the Day: The Duomo is everywhere. Every corner I turn leads to the Duomo. Seriously.

Photo of the Day:

Unfortunately, there were no photos allowed in The Medici Chapel so in terms of high(er) quality photos, today there is only food photography. I got a bit lazy when walking around today and only took a few photos on my phone. So, while only taken with my Nexus One, I still think this is "photo of the day"-worthy; no caption necessary, this one speaks for itself...

The Count

Glasses of wine drinken: 17

Owl jewelry tried on: 5 necklaces and 7 pairs of earrings

Photos taken: 717

How is it that I've only been in Florence for one week?

How is it that I've already been in Florence for one week?

I have already done so much and there is still so much more to both do and learn.

Marcella commented today that my eyes were sparkling (this was while eating the veal, mind you).

My response?

The only possible response--I am just so happy.

This first week has been incredible. I spent the week learning the basics and foundations of Italian cooking; similarly, this week is just the foundation of my time here in Florence and of this wonderful European adventure!

Tomorrow:

La mostra dell'Artiganto, arte del fare (The Handicrafts Trade Fair, the art of making) -- big art festival in Fortezza de Basso. Going with the other American student who I live with!

Photography museum? Although may save this for Sunday, not sure.