So how does one drink like an Italian?

Italians love to socialise and alcohol is a huge part of our culture. Vino rosso, vino bianco, cocktails, birra (beer), amari (digestives), all have a place in an Italian’s social life. Though it seems how we embrace them is very different to those in other parts of the world.

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Binge drinking is not glorified in Italy, and when we head out to catch up with friends or family, we are not on a mission to drink to get drunk. When Italians go to a bar, we like to socialise and embrace the life around us. Bars and restaurants are full of people chatting about anything from politics, to family, to the latest fashion or event, to history, and to life in general. Sipping your drink is the ‘norm’- while sculling just isn’t something you’ll see Italians do.

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Drinks are never ever served without being accompanied by some sort of nibble or meal. We don’t drink cocktails like the Spritz or the classic Negroni during our meal either, as they are generally served to enjoy with some simple nibbles like peanuts, olives, tarallucci or mini crostini. We call this an ‘Aperitivo’ which has now become well known and very trendy with non-Italians. While it may seem ‘cool’ to drink several Espresso Martini’s or Spritz with your dinner in other parts of the world, it’s just not a thing in Italy. Infact, a lot of Italian noses would be screwed up just at the thought. We do our coffee in the morning, or after a meal, or even for an afternoon pause and pick me up… but never during our meal. Just ew!

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So what we choose to drink often depends on the food we’ll be eating and the time of day. It’s like poetry in motion. An aperitivo before lunch or dinner, wine with your meal and an ‘amaro’ (digestive) after it. I guess you could call them little rituals. Wine is a dining table staple, and children are often encouraged to have a sip with their meal. Food, drink, friends, family, acquaintances and conversation go hand in hand. They were married in Italy and until death do they part!

My all time favourite Italian cocktail is the classic Negroni. The aromas take me back to my childhood and memories of days and nights spent in the family restaurant. Here is the recipe, and a few others with variations. They are all simply served on ice and stirred, dressed with a slice of orange.

NEGRONI: (original)

·       30 ml Campari

·      30 ml Sweet vermouth

·      30 ml Gin

NEGRONI SBAGLIATO -  MISTAKE NEGRONI

A Negroni created by mistake, hence it’s name. Born in the 70’s at the Bar Basso in Milano by a bartender who accidentally added spumante in place of the gin.

• 30ml Bitter

• 30ml Vermouth rosso 

• 30ml Prosecco (spumante Brut) 

IL CARDINALE – THE CARDINAL

In the 1950’s in Rome, a Cardinal would order his usual Negroni at a Bar in Via Veneto, when one day the barman asked if he could change it up a little and created for him a Negroni with dry vermouth instead of the usual red vermouth.

• 30ml Gin 

• 30ml Bitter

• 30ml Dry Vermouth

NEGROSKI:

This variation of Negroni replaces the gin with vodka.

• 30ml Vermouth rosso

• 30ml Bitter

• 30ml Vodka

JAPANESE NEGRONI:  

This Negroni variation replaces the gin with the classic Japanese Sakè.

• 30ml Vermouth rosso

• 30ml Bitter

• 30ml Sakè

Pic credit: Conde` Nast Traveller Magazine

Did you know that the mountainous Italian island of Sardegna (Sardinia), situated in the Mar Tirreno (Tyrrhenian Sea) is one of the world’s Blue Zone regions? These regions are places where a population lives a healthier and longer life than other parts of the world. There are ten time more centenarians living in Sardinia per capita than in the USA, with as many being male as female. So what is their secret? Do they drink more protein shakes and do more exercise than other people? Do they swallow copious amounts of vitamin tablets every day ? Absolutely not. Infact, it’s a lot more simple than we think.

We always hear that eating a good diet and exercising is key to living a healthy life, which is true, but with busy lifestyles, it is often easier said than done. You may not live in the pretty mountains of an island surrounded by beautiful clear water beaches, but with a little imagination there are ways to adopt the simple lifestyle the Sardinians live.

Pic credit: Travellintale.com

Their sleep patterns are in harmony with the rising and setting of the sun. They wake at dawn to tend to their crops, livestock and do household chores, then call it a day at dusk. Living in the mountains means each time you take a stroll you are ‘working out’ while breathing in pristine fresh air in the sunshine, and neither age nor mountains will stop a Sardinian from keeping on the go. Even the elders continue to stay active and busy, which could mean simply taking the goats for a graze in the fields, babysitting a grandchild, or walking to a local neighbouring farm or shop to grab a necessity.

Family is everything. Parents and grandparents care for the young and in turn the young care for the aged. Being cared for and feeling loved is known to lower depression rates and stress. Nonni (grandparents) play a key role in society by sharing their wisdom and knowledge about the land, nature and traditions, handing down all they know for the benefit of future generations.

Elders are made to feel important and needed, and they are seen as an asset to society rather than a burden. Extended family and friends are also embraced and Sardinians enjoy daily gatherings in the streets or piazzas to mingle, laugh, and share a story or two with each other.

Pic credit: pinterest Boyaroo

Sardinians eat a plant based diet leaving meat for Sunday’s or special occasions, and most of the dairy consumed is from grass fed goat or sheep. Whole grain breads make up most of their diet at a whopping 47% (yay to the carbs ! ), dairy coming in at 26% , along with their own (or locally grown) vegetables. Meat, fish, poultry and legumes make up a very small percentage along with added sugar and fats, while fruit makes up only 1%. They also enjoy a glass or two of home-made red wine daily- cin cin!

The way we live our lives is a choice. We can choose the ‘all or nothing’ approach, or we can learn from the wise Sardinians and choose to keep it simple, doing ‘life’ in balance and moderation, surround ourselves by loved ones, and most importantly cherish and look after our nonni. It may not guarantee anything, but it makes total sense and is worth a shot.

Pic credit - The Little Italian School

1.     BIS

Meaning ‘double’. Something you will hear a lot around the dining table! When someone wants seconds they’ll say :

‘Faccio il bis’ – I’ll have seconds.

‘Bis’ can also be used at a concert if concert goers want a repeat of a song they love. They will simply yell out ‘Bis, bis…..!’

2.  LAPSUS

Used when you have a slip of the tongue…maybe saying something you shouldn’t have said! That’s called ‘avere un lapsus’

3.     IDEM

Meaning ‘the same’. When someone says something you feel the same about you can simply say ‘idem’.

EG. Person 1 : Adoro andare a ballare!  Person 2: Idem! (I love going dancing! Me too!)

4.     DE GUSTIBUS NON DISPUTANDUM EST

Meaning "In matters of taste, there can be no disputes" and is used in Italian when in discussion with someone who likes something that you make not like.

EG Person 1 – Non mi piace il colore del vestito che hai comprato.

      Person 2  - De gustibus non disputandum est

5.     Gratis

Meaning ‘free’. You will see this word written and hear it often regarding events that may be free or have free entry. You may read something like ‘musei gratis’ if you are searching the web for free entry to museums. Or if you are want to say something like ‘do you get in for free?’ you would say ‘si entra gratis?’.

6.     In Vino Veritas

 ‘In wine there is truth’ meaning when someone has has a little alcohol they are likely to speak more truthfully. This can be used if someone thinks maybe someone has said something they may not have said in a conversation without the odd glass of ‘vino’ or aperitivo.

7.     Verba volant, scripta manent 

Is a Latin proverb and literally translated, it means "spoken words fly away, written words remain". You could use this if you were having a bet with a friend and wanted to write it down just in case they forget .

8.     Carpe Diem

Meaning ‘Sieze the day’. Not only used in Italian but it is one of the most famous Latin saying used by people all over the world! You can use it whenever you want to ‘enjoy the moment’.

So many of us had to cancel our Italian summer holiday this year because of the pandemic and are feeling a little disappointed, but if you can try to imagine what life is like in Italy right now, you may not feel so bad.

Travel restrictions in Italy have been eased this month, and according to our family and friends life still feels so surreal. Travel restrictions between regions has been lifted but since the oubreak of Covid19 until now, travelling was not allowed unless it was for work. If you are travelling by car with a someone other than a family member you are limited to two people and both passengers need to wear face masks.

Since the 18th of May Cafés and Restaurants have been open with limited table service to help prevent large crowds. Cinemas and theatres will reopen on June the 15th with a limit of 200 people allowed at once inside, and facemasks worn by staff and patrons is a must. Social distancing applies in all public spaces at all times and everyone needs to avoid contact with people they don’t live with, including relatives and especially the elderly. Regions like Lombardia and Piemonte where the outbreak hit the worst are making it mandatory to wear masks even outdoors.

If you are sporting a temperature of over 37.5 degrees you need to stay home, and if venturing out to dine you may be asked to have your temperature taken and to register your personal information for tracking purposes. If you refuse you will find yourself sent on your merry little way.

So with social distancing including outdoor areas a must and wearing mandatory facemasks, it may be a blessing to be able to skip your travel plans this year to Italy and have a little extra time to put your dollars aside for a more relaxed holiday to our beautiful country in the near future.

Here is a very simple Italian custard recipe given to me by my ‘zia’ (aunty), and all you need is a tablespoon to measure!

Ecco qui… (here it is)…

1 litre full cream milk

3 eggs

6 tablespoon plain flour

6 tablespoon sugar

rind of one lemon (or two if you prefer it more tangy!)

(optional - I decided to make the custard because I had lots of lemons left with no rind from preparing limoncello. So I used a cup of lemon juice and put in an extra tablespoon of flour)

Step by step

Pour 3/4 milk into pan on very low to start warming up the milk (don’t bring to boil).

In a bowl pour the rest of the milk, eggs, flour and sugar and whisk all together.

If you have optioned to add a cup of lemon juice, add this also.

Once the milk in the pot is warm, pour in the mixture and keep whisking to avoid lumps.

Soon enough you will feel the custard start to thicken and once it gets thicker turn off the heat. Once it has cooled and been put in the fridge it will set more.

We use eggs from our own chooks hence the very yellow colour

I used the custard to fill a beautiful apple and custard crostata. The recipe for the crostata base is on my IGTV which you can head to and watch using by clicking here

Quantity for 2 loaves or 1 loaf and some mini brioche with leftover pastry

1 cup milk (luke warm)

1 teaspoon dry yeast

600gr flour 00

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

¾ cup sugar

1 egg

Bustina di vanillina (or some vanilla essence or lemon rind if preferred)

Filling – Fig Jam (or any jam of choice or chocolate spread)

Melt the yeast in the luke warm milk (set aside)

Beat the egg, vanilla and sugar in a bowl (large enough to slowly add the flour later)

Add evoo and beat

Add milk and yeast mixture and beat

Slowly add flour and knead until soft and elastic

Place dough in bowl covered and leave to rise for an hour to two, making sure it doubles in size or almost.

Now you will need a rolling pin and a rectangular bread tin. If you don’t have a bread tin you can use a ciambella tin.

Flour your board and place risen dough on top and knead it a little getting back to a ball shape.

Roll it out with a rolling pin, into a rectangular shape that once rolled into a log, will fit into a rectangle bread tin.

Spread your jam over it, leaving a little strip at the top of the rectangle you can wet a little with some water so it seals up when you roll it up to close the log shape.

Roll the dough into a log and place in tin lined wth baking paper or some flour

(optional – beat one egg and brush the dough with it before baking)

Oven 180 degrees Celsius and bake for about 40 minutes or if you like a crust leave a few minutes longer

My kids asked me to make these Girelle di Cannella, so Sunday morning I woke up early to enjoy the beautiful quiet and have a little bake. I also popped a picture up on my instagram story and was asked by a lot of ‘dolci’ (sweet) lovers for the recipe so ‘eccola qui’ ! (here it is). The difference between these ones and the traditional ‘Cinnamon Scroll’ is that this one is an instant dough using self raising flour, and doesn’t need time to rise. The ‘Girelle’ turn out a little more like a biscotto rather than a soft doughy bun. Traditionally these are not Italian, but like many other recipes, we tweak things and make them the way we like them. It’s fun to be creative ‘in cucina’ (in the kitchen). Our family love these with the morning glass of ‘latte e caffe`’, and we always make enough to put a few aside for nonna and bisnonna (great-grandmother) to enjoy.

For the dough

-2 cups self raising flour

-90gr chilled salted butter

-2/3 cup milk

Knead and roll into a rectangular (as best you can) thin layer (about half cm thick). You can rest it for 10-15 minutes if you like. It will be a little easier to roll out if you do.

Make the filling

-melt 60gr butter

-1 & ½ tablespoons cinnamon

-1/3 cup sugar

Spread it all over the rectangle you just made, then roll the long side of the dough inwards and all the way to the other side so you end up with a log.

Slice roll into pieces about 2cm thick. 

Bake in oven 175 degrees until brown and cooked. (approx 20-30 minutes)

Icing

-1 cup icing sugar

-dash of milk (and stir through. If you prefer more runny then add more milk, less runny add more icing sugar)

Italian Procession - Riccia, Molise

Easter in Italy is a huge celebration, and like many Italian events it is a deep rooted religious one. Like all of Italy’s traditional celebrations, ‘Pasqua’ (Easter) time comes with some delicious traditional foods that are made throughout the country’s twenty beautiful regions. The most well known are, ‘La Pastiera Napoletana’, which is an Easter pie made in Naples, and ‘La Colomba di Pasqua’ which is a sweet dry cake similar to the Christmas Panettone only shaped like a dove, representing the symbol of new life. In Molise and Abbruzzo we make sweet and savoury ‘Fiadoni’. Here is a blog I wrote last Easter with the recipe: click here

Here are some typical Italian sayings that either refer to Easter or are taken from an event that happened during the Easter period but can be used all year round.

Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi!

This means, ‘Christmas with your family, easter with whoever you like!’. While Easter Sunday is usually spent with family, Pasquetta (Easter Monday) is always spent with friends and usually by having a picnic.

Lungo come una Quaresima

A long as Lent -  With the lent period lasting 40 days, this saying speaks for itself! It’s used to describe someone or something that is boring or drawn out

Felice come una Pasqua

Happy as Easter. (Happy as Larry) - With Easter in Italy being a very religious celebration because of Christ rising on Easter Sunday, you can imagine the immense joyful energy in the air. New life brings a lot of happiness!

Portare la propria croce

'To carry one’s own cross’. The saying refers to the pain and suffering by Jesus Christ as he carried his own cross, so it used to express when someone is going through a hard time. 

Essere come San Tommaso

One of the Apostles named Thomas said he didn’t believe Jesus had died and risen and said, ‘If I don't see the marks left by the nails in his hands, nor pass my fingers through his ribs, I will not believe’, so this saying is used when a person won’t believe something until they see it with their own eyes.

BUONA PASQUA A TUTTI ! (HAPPY EASTER TO ALL)

Flavia… drawing a picture for our family and friends in Italy

In all of the craziness that is happening in the world at the moment, I have been keeping my children home from school, by choice, not by a regulation. My husband and I chose to do this because we have been living what Italy is going through for the past 3 weeks through our family and friends, and were advised by all of them to keep the kids home back then. When you hear the panic in your loved ones voice, you listen very carefully.

Here is a little FREE colouring in booklet that my children put together in Italian to keep your children entertained and to add a little bit of colour to your lives in these uncertain times.

Just click on the word below to open and get started

Coloriamo ! (let’s colour!)

Joy shared around the dinner table, love of food, wine and mother earth, closeness to family and friends and being warm and hospitable are just a few aspects of the Italian culture loved by many. I don’t think there is any other place in the world that has more songs written about ‘la mamma’ than Italy! Here are a few warm and fuzzy Italian sayings that will give you a better understanding of just how important ‘la familgia’ is to us

1.    La famiglia e` tutto – Family is everything

2.    Amor di madre, amor senza limiti – (Love of mother, love without limits) A mother’s love has no limit

3.    La mamma e` sempre la mamma – (The mum is always the mum) No matter what mamma does, she’s always my mamma

4.    Chi si volta, e chi si gira, sempre a casa va finire – (He who turns round and round, always ends up home) No matter where you go, you will always end up at home

5.    A ogni uccello il suo nido e` bello – (every bird loves his own nest) -Home sweet home

6.    Una buona mamma vale cento maestre – A good mother is worth a hundred teachers

7.    Un bimbo che non gioca, felicita` ne ha poca – A child who doesn’t play has little happiness

8.    Il sangue non e` acqua – (Blood is not water) – Blood is thicker than water

9.    L’affetto verso i genitori e` fondamento di ogni virtu`- love towards your parents is fundamentally the greatest virtue

10.  Non ricordiamo dei giorni, ci ricordiamo dei momenti – We don’t remember days, we remember moments