Festa della Donna 2010

Yesterday, March 8th was Festa della Donna or Ladies' Day here in Italy.  I had the priviledge of participating in a cooking lesson/dinner with 9 ladies and we had a blast.

Our lesson was at a restaurant in the town of Monte di Procida and is named "La Taverna dei Sapori".  Our instructor/chef was Mariella - though she's not an actual trained chef.  Her former career was a tour guide!  She taught herself to cook because it was her passion and now she owns and runs this restaurant with her husband and son.  She's a lovely patient lady and it was a great experience to be in her kitchen for the evening.

Festa della Donna has a yellow theme - yellow mimosa flowers are given to the ladies and our menu also had a touch of yellow as you'll see.  Giallo is the Italian word for yellow (just in case you're wondering).

Last night's menu:

Prosecco Mimosa Cocktails

Antipasti Buffet "Principalmente Giallo"

Bruschetta della Casa

Gnocchi Napoletani "O' Sole Mio"

Pappardelle 8 Marzo "Delizia della Donna"

Bocconcini di Carne "Femme Fatale"

Torta Mimosa

Vino

Caffe e Limoncello della Taverna

English anyone? 

Mimosas - Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine and it was mixed with fresh OJ

Appetizers with a "yellow theme"

Bruschetta of the house - no yellow but yummy!

Gnocchi (potato dumplings) with corn and hard boiled eggs in a smoked cheesy creme sauce

Pappardelle (pasta ribbons) in a saffron, ricotta cream sauce with walnuts

Beef and mushrooms in a curry reduction

Mimosa cake

Wine

Coffee and Lemoncello

A good time was had by all, I learned a lot and had a yummy meal but what I loved most was spending time with some wonderful Ladies.

I am very thankful to my husband for getting home on time and taking care of the kids for the night even though the poor guy is still hobbling around on crutches.

Here are Monday's 3 things (a bit late due to the fact I left my house at 5 for a 6 o'clock lesson and didn't return until almost midnight, whew.)

1.  Buon Cibo

2.  Buon Vino

3.  Buon Amici

English anyone?

1.  Good Food

2.  Good Wine

3.  Good Friends