Monzanapolis

Memorial Day weekend in Indiana means one thing, RACE DAY and for most racing fans the Indianapolis 500 is where auto history is made.  One hundred years at the brickyard have made the Indy 500 the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and fans from around the world have made it the largest single-day spectator sporting event on the planet.

But history is a time line of many events and for a racing fan who is an Italianophile leaving in Indiana with relatives in Milano that means Monza.

The racing history of the banked oval at Monza has been compared to the IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway track) and in 1957-1958 US drivers from the USAC competed with teams from the European Formula One World Championship in the Race of Two Worlds also known as the 500 Miglia di Monza (500 Miles of Monza).

Take Me Out to The Ball Game

One of the great gastronomic treasures of Italy that enliven Italian cuisine are condimenti, a special group of foods whose primary purpose is to add to the details and compliment the food. In the States we are given a choice of mustard, ketchup, relish and onions but in Italy a list of condiments reads like the lyrics of an Italian opera; Mostarda di Cremona, Pesto Genovese, Aceto Balsamico, Nebbiolo Grape Chutney, Miele di Castagno, Salsa di Tartufo Bianco, Sott’aceti.

In Italy, condiments not only act as a seasoning and accompaniment to meats, they enhance the flavor of sauces, pair with pasta and compliment cheese. So the next time you’re at the ball park pass the mostarda for a classic Northern Italian fruit condiment with an agrodolce flavor and a healthy kick of mustard for a hot dog that knocks it out of the park.

A day at the ball park will never be the same.

Italy in a Bottle

One of the easiest ways to bring Italy home is to open a bottle. A good quality estate bottled extra virgin olive oil, a bottle of regional Italian wine or bottle of balsamico from Modena. Or in this case a bottle of prosecco from Conegliano and Valdobbiadene in the hills north of Treviso. The crisp, bright taste of prosecco, reminiscent of citrus, herbs and melon with a mere 10.5% alcohol content make prosecco a perfect drink for summertime entertaining.

My wine memories of prosecco center around two spectacular meals with our Italian cousins. One along the Brenta Canal in a town called Mira and another along the Levante di Caorle, an old fishing port on the Adriatic near Venice that is now a popular seaside resort. After we pored over the 7 page mouth-watering menu at Da Eugenio Ristorante La Ritrovata*  , choosing all manner of seafood and shellfish for dinner, we ended the meal with a sgroppino, the “little unknotter”. This frothy fruit sparkler made with prosecco mixed with vodka and lemon gelato is a perfect digestivo to untie any knots in your stomach if you’ve eaten more than you should.

*Warning – Opening this video link will make your mouth water.

To Make the Sgroppino
1/3 cup Lemon Gelato or Sorbet,  1-1/4 cups Prosecco, ( 1-2 tablespoons chilled vodka – if desired) 

Put the lemon gelato/sorbet in a bowl and break it up with a spoon. Stir in vodka. Add the prosecco, whisking by hand to form a soft, foamy mixture. Don’t whisk too much or it will become too liquid. Serve in a  tall glass or wide-mouth goblet immediately. Makes 2-4 servings.

The Coffee Avengers

The recent release of the Avengers got me wondering what fueled these super-heroes. Fighting crime and disorder on this level of magnitude needs a jolt of energy and inspiration that according to Italian coffee maker, Lavazza is a cup of their coffee.

The 2007 Lavazza Calendar with photos by Spanish photographer Eugenio Recuenco portrays an imaginative city filled with super-heroes fueled by coffee. Every year Lavazza designs a calendar that showcases their product and brand (espresso) that is a stunning piece of photographic art. Their 2007 calendar (The Most Incredible) features a group of sensual and seductive super-heroes that the Avengers may want to meet for un caffe’ before their next crime fighting spree.

 

Watch Italy

Some people wear their heart on their sleeve. I wear la dolce vita on my wrist. Taking the Italian lifestyle and turning it into a concept and a brand is something designers aspire to.  Marco Mantovani was able to capture the enthusiasm, emotion and style of Italy in a watch. Yes a watch as in LOCMAN. Conceived in the heart of Tuscany, on the idyllic island of Elba,  LOCMAN  founder  Mantovani took the watch and made it into an avant-garde accessory that reflected the lifestyle of the Mediterranean.

Using high-tech materials like aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber with seductive oval shapes and vivid colors, LOCMAN set the trend for diamond-embellished sport watches, oversized cases, and unique  unisex designs. The first watch introduced by LOCMAN (called Radica)  has become a collectors’ piece and features bezels carved of rare Mediterranean Briarwood.

On one of my first trips to Italy all my friends and family were wearing LOCMAN watches. They were trendy, fun, decidedly cool and elegant just like them . Very Italian! And that’s the way I feel every time I strap my black LOCMAN Nuovo on my wrist.

Lunar Travel in Italy

Tonight’s moon is supposed to be bigger and brighter than at any other time of the year. I wonder how it’s being viewed in Italy. Over the Colosseum in Rome, on a ride in a gondola in Venice or over the  spires of the cathedral of Milano. One travel company suggests planning a trip to Italy around the lunar cycles and has even posted a calendar with the dates of the full moons for the coming year so you can plan accordingly.

Many people choose to travel to Italy under the Tuscan sun. Now you can consider another magical moment under the Tuscan moon.

May 5, 2012, June 4, 2012, July 3, 2012, August 1, 2012, August 31, 2012, September 29, 2012, October 29, 2012, November 28, 2012, December 28, 2012, January 26, 2013, February 25, 2013, March 27, 2013 and April 25, 2013

Robo Coffee

I’ve been getting a lot of comments from single cup brewers lately.  Their feelings for the convenience vs technology of brewing coffee alla pod are defended with strong emotions that run as deep as the Medici-Pazzi rivalries of Renaissance Italy. I’ve been pod adverse up to this point for a variety of reasons. Time is not on my side so the convenience of  pre-measured, pre-timed robo coffee is very appealing and the stylish looks of single pod brewing machines are very seductive.

Recently I’ve decided to get serious about finding a single cup brewer so I decided to do a .com search for my perfect match and I think I’m in love. Let me introduce you to the Tassimo Brewbot. He’s quick, versatile, always available and mess free. The Brewbot will never replace mia macchina, my moka pot or my local barista but for now he’s become a nice diversion.