Source : Netflix

Grace Flynn

The power of film can’t be understated, especially when it comes to learning a language. While DuoLingo tries to convince us that learning abstract phrases like ‘my aunty is wearing a purple sweater at the library’ will have you fluent in no time, I’d argue that TV series and movies could be the real ticket to learning a new language and a new culture.  

Or at least part of it.

Sparking a passion for the Italian language, culture and history, these streamable Italian-language TV series and movies are sure to have you picking up Italian phrases and colloquialisms in no time.

Rose Island

Where to watch: Netflix

Set in the late 60s, Italian engineer Giorgio Rosa sets about building his very own nation out on a man-made platform in the Adriatic Sea, just outside of Italy’s territorial waters. Available through Netflix, this comedy-drama film tells the incredible story of Rosa’s battle with the Italian authorities in his quest to retain his independent state, L’isola delle Rose. Along with picking up some Italian vocab, this fun and quirky watch tells a true story that is sure to surprise.

Source : Netflix

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS2NtbEoIc8&ab_channel=Netflix

An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts

Where to watch: Netflix

If you’re looking for a funny, feel-good series, look no further than Guida Astrologica per Cuori Infranti. Based on Silvia Zucca’s best-selling novel of the same name, this witty rom-com series follows heartbroken and hopelessly single Alice as she navigates dating in her 30s, friendship, an intense office romance and the supposed power of the stars. If you don’t watch this for the purpose of picking up modern Italian lingo and dating vocab, be sure to watch it for the drama!

Source: IMDb

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O48gSeQGMC8&ab_channel=Netflix

Suburra: Blood on Rome

Where to watch: Netflix

Directed by Gomorrah’s Stefano Sollima, this gripping and bloody mafia series takes viewers on a journey into Rome’s underbelly. Inspired by true events, this highly rated Netflix series is perfect for those who enjoy a good crime and gangster show. And for those who are looking to pick up a few choice words in Italian.

Source: Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GcC9kduhO4&ab_channel=Netflix

Generation 56K

Where to watch: Netflix

Exploring the power of the internet and childhood crushes, Generation 56K is another bingeable rom-com Netflix series that’ll have you picking up some Italian vocab in no time. Flipping between present day and the late 90s, this heartwarming series tells a story of love and friendship set on the small island of Procida.

Source: Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMgg3v0fUOw&ab_channel=Netflix

Made in Italy

Where to watch: Google Play Movies

Set in 70s Milan, Made in Italy follows Irene, a university student who becomes enamoured with the glittering world of Italian fashion (think big brands like Missoni and Giorgio Armani). Exploring the political unrest of the time period, this historical drama series takes a look at Italy’s tumultuous youth revolution, the rise of feminism and the Italian fashion industry.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg-FJiOHHGY&ab_channel=KylieFlavell

The Hand of the God

Where to watch: Netflix

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, É stata la mano di Dio was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. Set in 1980s Naples, the critically-acclaimed film follows a young Fabietto as he navigates grief and a budding passion for filmmaking. Touching on Italy’s enduring love of football (or more specifically, Maradona), this movie provides insight into Italian culture as well as the fascinating Napoletano dialect.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_1VW_0i6vo&ab_channel=Netflix

Summertime

Where to watch: Netflix

Another romance series that’ll help you pick up some Italian phrases and colloquial language is Summertime. Set in a small town on the Adriatic coast, the series follows teenagers Ale and Summer who share a powerful attraction despite coming from different worlds.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDFDZE_9Mcw&ab_channel=Netflix

I am just loving the summery combinations of mango and coconut at the moment and we just grabbed a whole lot of lemons from a close by tree so I’m putting them to good use in a lot of my cooking. Enjoy these gorgeous Panna Cotta pots- perfect for your Christmas table this year. Use any jar you recycle, even if they are odd sizes ….all the cuter I say!

PANNA COTTA

PANNA COTTA

600 ml fresh cream

12gr gelatin powder (if you like it more soft just use 8 gr powder)

120g sugar

1 sachet vanillina

Rind of a lemon

Mango topping-

2 ripe mangoes

Juice of a lemon 

2 tablespoons sugar

Melt the sugar and vanilla in the cream over a low heat. Turn off heat and add the gelatine powder. Whisk through. Add the lemon rind. Pour into glasses and allow to cool before putting in fridge to set. 

For the mango topping put everything into the pan and bring to the boil gently until the liquid has evaporated and the mango is cooked. Allow to cool. Top the panna cotta and sprinkle with coconut (or not).

WATCH my instagram reel here to follow the method https://www.instagram.com/the_little_italian_school/

PETRALI - DOLCI NATALIZI - Italian Christmas Sweets

Ingredients

PASTRY

250gr 00 Flour

75gr Sugar

75gr Lard

3 egg yolks

1 x satchel vanilla

pinch of salt

zest of a lemon

(a little bit of water if too crumbly)

FILLING

175gr dried figs (ground)

75gr toasted almonds (ground)

150gr walnuts (ground)

1/4 cup vin cotto

Squeeze of honey

Teaspoon of cocoa powder

Teaspoon cinamon

Rind of an orange (or a lemon if you don’t have an orange)

NB mixture should be firm and easy to roll into balls to use for filling. Pastry should rest for half hour in fridge.

WATCH THE METHOD HERE. Cook on around 180c until golden

Here is a ‘make do recipe’ because I had some bacon left over in the fridge. The original recipe calls for Bucatini pasta and guanciale but I only had spaghetti in the store room and the bacon in the fridge. This recipe is straight from the mamma of my very close friend in Rome.

Ingredients -

1 packet of Spaghetti (or Bucatini)

1 small salad onion (or any mild onion)

Half cup white wine

250gr packet of bacon (or guanciale)

2 cans of peeled tomatoes (or Mutti polpa)

1 of the cans of tomato filled with water (rinse your cans and add to sauce)

Pecorino Romano grated (to have on top after served - if you like it)

Watch the video for the method below. Once the sauce has simmered and reduced back to a nice thickness it’s ready.

Ingredients -

8 large lemons (washed and dried)

1 litre pure alcohol (if you can’t find pure alcohol you can use vodka but use half the amount of water)

800 gr sugar

1 litre water

Method -

Peel the skins of the lemons and soak in the alcohol for about a week or a little longer if you like. Once soaked, make the sugar syrup (water and sugar) and when it cools, add the lemon infused alcohol, bottle and store in freezer.

Here’s a video with the method

Ingredients -

• 350 gr arborio rice (put in a bowl topped with water and soak for 5 minutes before use)

• 300 ml bolognese sauce pre made

• 200 ml milk

• 250 gr mozzarella

• 50 gr grated parmesan

• butter to grease pan and blotch the first layer

• salt

• pepper
  

  Watch instagram reel here for method https://www.instagram.com/p/Chlg-T3laoJ/

I just adore a sweet (but never too sweet) Italian ‘colazione’ (breakfast) of a jumbo cup of ‘latte e caffe`’ (milk and coffee) and a huge dunkable ‘biscotto da inzuppo’ (dunking biscuit).

These biscotti are also great for afternoon tea if you prefer. I made these a little thinner than usual but you can cut them thicker no problem!

Ingredients -

• 3 Eggs

• 200 g Sugar

• 1/2 Grated lemon zest, or vanilla essence

• 80 g Milk

• 150 ml Sunflower oil

• 600 g 00 flour

• 1 bag instant yeast for sweets

  (alternatively you can use self raising flour)

Watch the reel via instagram for the method. https://www.instagram.com/the_little_italian_school/

Cook on about 180c for 15-20 min

Plain. Simple. Delicious. Easy to make. Never gets old.

3 eggs

12 tablespoons sugar

12 tablespoons self raising flour

12 tablespoons sunflower oil

6 tablespoons milk

rind of two lemons grated

Mix the wet ingredients first. Add sugar. Mix. Add flour. Mix.

LEMON GLAZE

A few tablespoons of icing sugar. Squeeze the juice from the lemons into it and stir. If too runny just slowly add more icing sugar. If not runny enough add tiny amounts of more lemon juice at a time until you get ‘your’ perfect consistency

Name trends in Italy have been pretty stable for a few years according to the National Institute of Statistics. Here’s a list of the most popular baby names for 2021-22. You’ll also find a list of other popular Italian baby names and their meanings in no particular order.

Top 10 boys names -

1. Leonardo

2. Francesco

3. Lorenzo

4. Alessandro

5. Andrea

6. Mattia

7. Gabriele

8. Tommaso

9. Riccardo

10. Edoardo

Popular boys names and their meaning-

1. Francesco - French man

2. Leonardo: as strong as a lion

3. Alessandro: protector of men

4. Lorenzo: fun loving, sensitive, romantic

5. Mattia e Matteo: gift from God

6. Andrea: strong and courageous

7. Gabriele: strong man of God

8. Riccardo: galant leader

9. Tommaso: twin

10. Alessio: protector of men

11. Giulio: youthful

12. Valerio: strong and robust

13. Maurizio: generous and giving

14. Emanuele: meaning God is with us

15. Edoardo: defender of his own wealth

16. Samuele: God heard

17. Cesare: long haired

18. Flavio: blonde haired

19. Giacomo: God is gracious

20. Raffaello: healing God

Girls- Top 10 girls names

1. Sofia

2. Aurora

3. Giulia

4. Ginevra

5. Alice

6. Emma

7. Giorgia

8. Beatrice

9. Greta

10. Vittoria

Popular girl names and their meaning:

1. Sofia: wisdom and philosophy

2. Ginevra: white phantom

3. Margherita: precious one

4. Valentina: strong and healthy

5. Matilde : strong in battle

6. Noemi: my joy

7. Sara: princess

8. Flavia: blinde haired

9. Giulia: youthful

10. Aurora: bright and splendid

11. Giorgia: farmer

12. Martina: God of war

13. Azzurra: serene

14. Vittoria: Goddess of victory

15. Alessia: defender

16. Chiara: bright

17. Alice: creature of the ocean

18. Emma: whole

19. Marcella: dedicated to the Gods

20. Carlotta: free man

Ingredients -

500gr 00 flour

2 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

250 gr butter (cubed and room temp)

Lemon rind from 1 lemon

Method - mix the butter and flour together so it forms a crumble. Add the rest and knead away. Watch reel over at instagram for the rest https://www.instagram.com/the_little_italian_school/