February 13

It's safe to say we know where the rest of my Wednesday photos will be coming from: cooking class. Today we talked about the history of Italian food and why each region developed certain characteristic dishes. It was cool to learn how world history directly affects diet and cuisine. Thank goodness the Medici Family invited French artisans to their castles in Florence, or else we would be living in a gelato-less world. Isn't wild how a 15th century dinner party can affect our lives today? Ok ok, maybe gelato affects some of our lives more than others. Cough cough. The menu for today consisted of spaghetti alla Puttanesca, Pollo alla Cacciatore, and crostata morbida. Spaghetti Puttanesca literally means "prostitute spaghetti" because the capers, tomato sauce, parsley and black olives contribute to such a colorful dish, it is reminiscent of the bright panties of a prostitute. Chicken Cacciatore is better known as "Hunter's Chicken" and developed in the countryside. Crostata morbida--what my group was responsible for making--is a simple, lemony soft jam pie. I'm missing Chapel Hill today and sending all my Beat Dook love across the Atlantic.