Hot Chocolate on Display

I love the hot chocolate in Italy. It is thick and luscious. Delightfully warm.

When I tasted my first Italian cioccolata calda I was shocked by the thickness and intense taste (no wonder they gave me a spoon along with the cup).I will admit it took a while to get used to the thick richness, but now I can’t imagine going back to the watered down American version (otherwise known as hot water with a sprinkling of coca). Here is Italy a small cup of perfection is more than enough to satisfy one’s taste buds, whereas in the states we buy a 16oz drink and are sad to see it finished.

Each time I find myself in front of a cioccolata calda I am still amazed. Amazed heaven is in my mouth. And each time I treat myself to a cioccolata calda I spend the first few minutes just looking at it. Trying to comprehend its perfection. Soaking in its beauty. And then I eventually take out my camera and look like a total dork by taking a picture. So I am going to humor myself now and hopefully end this silly obsession by displaying my cioccolata calda. Ti prego. Please, enjoy.

Gusto

gusto. that’s my favorite word. roasted chestnuts. delightfully warm. mozzarella. sitting in a bowl of olive oil. spiced with black pepper and salt. and maybe garlic powder. delicious. the perfect salad: fresh lettuce, sun ripened tomatoes, corn, olive oil, petite mozzarella balls, croutons. simple. beautiful. to die for. and parmesan. i prefer mezzo. just cut a slice. then savor it. who knew there were so many different kinds of cheeses? and noodles for that matter? pasta verde. pesto. the kind that makes your mouth dance. my favorite. basil. rosemary. my new world of spices. how I have learned to love biscuits and tea. the perfect way to start every morning. nonna’s homemade biscuits. beautiful. and croissants in the morning. maybe even with a chocolate inside. and pizza. thin crust. minimal red sauce. mozzarella di bufala. eat it warm. dripping with delight. pasta and beans covered in a delicious red sauce. bread. so many different kinds. al dente noodles. the true way to eat pasta. and shakshuka. i know it’s not italian but it is among my favorites. eggs cooked in a red sauce. use bread to eat it. out of this world. rice cooked with peas. who would have thought it tastes divine? no ‘pam’ spray to be seen here. everything cooked with olive oil. pasta arrabiata. pasta rossa. not caked with the red sauce. just lightly covered. with halves of cooked red cherry tomatoes. and garlic. and olives. and olive oil. and sesame seeds. bruschetta. only the italians can give a name to a piece of bread and slice of tomato. but toast the bread. give it a flair of garlic. olive oil. slice of tomato from campania. bellissimo. then boneless fish with olive oil. covered in tomatoes and olives. green olives. need I say more? not soft and squishy like the black ones. almost with a crunch. delectable. smoked scamorza. simple. luscious. maybe eaten with a cracker. and to top it off gelato. oh italy, how I will miss thee.