Gia-Gina Across the Pond: June 2006

Haupia

If you have someone to mail you some haupia ready-to-make Hawaiian pudding mix, then count your lucky stars. My sister Gia, (yes, she and I have the same first name and it's a long story, recently sent me a care package with cookies from Guam (Deme called them dog biscuits), 2 boxes of haupia mix, and some whole wheat bulghur. The ready-to-make mix is incredibly simple to make, just mix with water, boil and cool. It is a cinch to prepare. If you can't get your hands on the ready-to-make mix, you can always make the pudding from scratch. I found a recipe here.

The finished pudding is solid, like an opaque Jell-O. The creamy and delicious coconut flavor comes through and through. Sometimes I don't let the pudding cool and while it is still creamy I pour it over ice cream and add a few flakes of toasted coconut. Another idea is to serve the chilled pudding with diced mangoes and/or other tropical fruit.

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Heat Wave

The news this week in Italy is of course Italy winning a World Cup match against Australia and the heat wave. I was in Rome last weekend, it was HOT, when I saw a very interesting commercial on TV. A volunteer agency was offering assistance to elderly individuals who needed help esp. when the temp. soars. This agency offered to run errands such as light shopping so elderly folks did not have to be out and about in the heat. What a wonderful idea.

The European heat wave 2003 killed tens of thousands of people. Needless to say, I try to keep cool by closing the shutters in the house to keep the sunlight out, running a fan to ventilate the apartment, drinking plenty of fluids, taking cold showers and sleeping with our new air conditioner at night.

Last year I did without one but this year the temp. started rising in late May and I knew I would need one to sleep comfortably at night. Even the dog seems hot. Both animals sleep without making a peep. I only wish I could run the air con during the day but the price of electricity in Italy makes it prohibitory. Having it at night is a Godsend so I don't think I should get too spoiled and just thank my lucky stars.

Bathrooms or The Lack Thereof

One of the things I miss most about living in the U.S. is the abundance of free bathrooms. I can go to a Denny’s, McDonalds, Starbucks, Tullys, Barnes and Noble, Jamba Juice, public park, Pottery Barn, almost any big store and use the facilities for free, without pressure to buy something and without guilt.

Free bathrooms are a rare thing in Italy; being pregnant I am noticing the problem more and more. In Torino, there are a few places to use the restroom for free: McDonalds on Via Po, IKEA and the Mall come to mind. It is true that the majority of the shops in Italy are family run and they don’t want the public coming in and soiling their facilities. Most of the time you can also use the bathroom at a bar but you usually have to buy something first and the last thing I need is more liquid so the DH usually buys himself a coffee and I use the restroom. In a long afternoon of strolling he might have to buy and drink 3-4 coffees though.

Maybe this is why Italians have no qualms about urinating when they feel the need. I’ve seen this first hand more times that I want to count. The worst offender was a man who began urinating behind his car in downtown Torino just before he got in it and drove off. What a disgrace. The parks in Torino are littered with bits of used toilet paper and men and boys alike huddling in corner to relieve themselves. The biggest park near my home has a door less, drain less, paperless, hole in the ground as a toilet.

Recently after the renovation at the base of the Spanish Steps in Rome, I noticed a free WC (water closet). Ingenious since there usually thousands of people gathered at the Steps and any given time. Usually you have to pay to use WC’s, at train stations and at many tourist points. Really, I don’t mind paying 50 cents at all, if the WC is staffed and clean. Across the street at Westminster Abbey there is a spotless WC, and there are many dotted all over Venice too. To avoid the mad rush of finding a restroom while out and about, I am now withholding liquid before I leave the house and just rehydrating myself when I get home, not a good habit but I haven’t suffered any ill effects yet. With all of that said, I have no idea what the third trimester has in store. Wish me luck.

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Fresh Zucchini and Pasta

We love fresh produce and when we head to Florence we can't help but be gifted some really great stuff. With the weather being so warm, zucchini and their flowers are popping up everywhere. This simple recipe is delightful and a great way to take advantage to summers abundance.

Zucchini and Pasta

2 garlic cloves, minced
4 zucchini diced with their flowers
good oil
a good curved pasta like pipe rigate or orecchiette
grated parmigiano

1. Heat some good oil on low and add the garlic letting it cook slowly, without browning for 5-10 minutes.

2. Add the zucchini and let that cook in its own juices stirring for about 5 minutes, season with a bit of salt. Add 1 C. of water and continue to cook until soft but not mushy, up to 15 minutes.

3. Cook your pasta in salted water until 1-2 minutes from being done. Then add the pasta to the zucchini and let the pasta finish cooking.

4. Throw on 2 handfuls of parmigiano and stir gently. You should end up with a creamy and very flavorful sauce. Dress with a drizzle of oil and a bit more cheese if you like. Yummy!

Fresh Zucchini from Claire's garden.

Enzo's pasta recipe.

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AutoVelox

More AutoVelox machines are popping up all along the A-1. (The A-1 is a freeway that runs most of the length of Italy, from Milan to Naples. The A-1 is also known as AutoStrada del Sole or Auto del Sole, Freeway to the Sun, Motorway to the Sun etc…)

AutoVelox are digital Speed Enforcement Systems, they are cameras that take photos of your car when you speed and send you a ticket. The fines can run an average of 100 Euros or more. When caught my one of these cameras, you may have to pay a fine and have points (an average of 2-4, 5 or even 6 pts.) taken off your drivers license. (You start with something like 40 points (as a lifetime allotment) and when you run out, your license is revoked and you have to sign up for driving school all over again; which is very, very time consuming and very expensive.) I have no idea how much this cost but it is more than the $14 dollars or so it takes in WA State to get a drivers license. I am in the process of getting my license in Italy and so far I have put several hours and paid 47 Euros to get a medical certificate that states I am healthy enough to operate a motor vehicle and that’s only step 1 of about 5 steps.

I have an aunt that lives in Canada, one day she received a speeding ticket in the mail. Being a very slow driver she contested the ticket and demanded to see the photo of her speeding. The proper office produced the photo and when she saw that it was indeed her car but not her driving, the driver had a baseball cap on (obviously her son, my cousin) she had him pay the fine.

Generally I think this is a good idea, No manpower is wasted, people who speed are caught, police officers don’t have to come into contact with as many weirdoes driving badly, it’s a win-win situation right? The only thing negative thing I have noticed so far is that when a speeding car figures out he/she is about to be photographed, they slam on the brakes in an effort to get rid of some speed and that seems dangerous to me. Do you have these in your country? If so, how are they working?

*A side note: If you know someone who works in transportation you may be able to get a map of the AutoVelox in your area or you can just download a map from the internet.

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The Girls Working Hard

They're cute aren't they?

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Can You Say "Really Idiotic?"

Another great decision from a Bush brother.

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Ice Cream Brawl

This article is hilarious. Read the last line, it is really funny.

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Happy Fathers Day-Ode to Dad

Needless to say, my dad is one of the most influential people in my life. I think I have written about my family extensively on this blog, as I miss them and think about them all the time. Today I am thinking about my dad. I used to think of him as harsh, yet just at the same time. The generation gap that separated us never seemed to get any narrower but as I have matured and grown I have come to appreciate him more and more.

Dear Dad,

Your rules and your voice are the things that drive me and made me who I am today in spite of all my faults and all my past bad decisions.. I hope that I will have the strength to teach my child what I have learned from both you and mom.

Love,
Gina

Dad's Tidbits aka Dad's Ten Commandments

1. Scene: I am 7-8 and get straight A's for the first time.

Me: "Dad, my friend got 5 A's on her last report card and she got 5 dollars for each A. Do you think I could get the same thing? I got all A's this time."

Dad: "I think your friends' dad is doing a stupid thing. He is encouraging his child to get good grades for money. I want you to get good grades because getting good grades is good for you, much better than money."

2. Scene: I was 16 and got my first new car.

Dad: "Before you take your car out, show me the spare tire and the jack. Read the spare tire."

Me: "Infate only to 90 psi."

Dad: "No, that is not what I want you to see, look and read again."

Me: " I don't see what you want me to read."

Dad: sighs and says "See this, (points) For TEMPORARY use ONLY." "That means if you get a flat tire, change it immediately to the spare and go to get the tire fixed right away."

Me: "Yes, dad."

3. Dad: "Work first, play later."

4. Dad: "I don't know", is not a good enough answer."

5. Dad: "Honesty is important even if it is not to your benefit."

6. Dad: "Borrowing money is not what I taught you."

7. Dad: "If it's your responsibility, do it."

8. Dad: "Try to lead a balanced life."

9. Dad: "This is not a hotel, come home after curfew and you will find the door locked." "Don't like the food, eat somewhere else, don't like the rules, live somewhere else."

10. Dad: "Respect your elders and be loyal to your family."

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60 Years of Vespa

There was a Vespa Convention in Torino today to celebrate 60 years of Vespas. Here is a quick shot outside my window.

Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

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Lamb Chops with Caramelized Onions

The time consuming part of this dish is the caramelizing of the onions. Thinly slice 1 red onion, either by hand or with a mandolin. Add some good oil to a saute pan, heat the oil on medium heat and then add the onions. When the onions are translucent reduce the heat to low and then cook until very soft, about 30+ minutes depending on how thinly you sliced the onions. When the onions have soften to your liking, add about 1 T. of balsamic vinegar, a dash of salt, 2-3 sprinklings of sugar and a pinch of rosemary (chopped in fresh and crushed if dried). Let all the ingredients cook together for a few minutes more but after the addition of the sugar and the vinegar watch the onions carefully or they will burn. Taste for seasonings and then get ready to plate up.

I love the taste of mild lamb, in Rome they are often roasted until they are well done but I find them delicious grilled to medium or even medium rare. Grilling the lamb is the easy part; remove the lamb chops from the refrigerator several hours before you are ready to cook them. Let them come to room temperature. (We had 3 small chops per person.)

Season them with salt, pepper and a few drops of olive oil per side. Then grill on a hot grill pan, first on the edge of the chop, there the fat lays. Get this really nice and brown, you might have to hold them up sideways with tongs. After the edges/sides are brown then grill the faces of the chops about 1-2 minutes per side depending on how you like them cooked. Serve on a bed of the caramelized onions; they are a perfect accompaniment.

Yes, I dared to serve asparagus two times in a row for dinner.

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Teriyaki-ish Tuna

Finally I get back to cooking for the DH. I think I missed him while he was away in Munich for a day and a half. As I walked around the market in my neighborhood with my friend Laurie, (Laurie I forgot to thank you for treating me to breakfast today.) I spotted some fresh tuna and pencil thin asparagus.

Teriyaki-ish Tuna

Note: Be sure to buy the freshest fish you possibly can. I like my tuna medium to medium rare and not cold in the middle so I take the fish out of the refrigerator a few hours before I am ready to cook it.

2-tuna steaks (from 1/2" to 1" thick)
snipped chives
chopped cilantro
a sprinkle of black and/or white sesame seeds (toasted)
soy sauce/tamari
1 garlic clove (minced)
1 t. ginger (minced)
chili oil (optional)
sesame oil (several drops)
sugar/honey
salt and pepper

1. Start with the sauce first. Combine some soy sauce (start with 1/4 C.), garlic, ginger, sesame oil, chili oil (to taste) and sugar (start with 1 T. and taste to your liking) in a sauce pan. Heat and cook together, taste for seasoning, (I like mine sauce sweet and spicy). Add more ingredients until you have a sauce you like. Reduce the sauce a bit until it is thick and a bit syrupy. Set aside.

2. Dry the tuna steaks with paper towels and season with salt and pepper, then drizzle a few drops of oil onto them and rub to coat. Add the tuna to a really hot grill pan and let them cook. Turn only once but watch the sides of the tuna steaks as they cook, when the cooked portion comes to about 1/4 of the width of the steak, turn it immediately. They should only cook 1-2 minutes per side, depending on how thick your steaks are.

3. Remove the steaks from the grill pan, garnish with the sesame seeds, chopped cilantro and snipped chives. Slowly drizzle the sauce over the tuna and serve immediately.

World Cup Mania

Who isn't into the World Cup right now? This week Deme is in Munich for a day and half for work and he gets to take in the Tunisia vs. Saudi Arabia game. Sitting only two rows from the field, he asked me to try to find him on TV. Yeah right! I tried and tried in vain but with all those people I could not see him at all.

This past weekend we went to a Italy vs. Ghana party and the volume at this party was unbelievable. Italians are wild when it comes to soccer. All of Rome was basically closed with everyone at home watching the game. Luckily Italy won and all is well in Italy. Now I can't wait until the Italy vs. USA game.

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To Cut or Not to Cut

I just read an article yesterday in an Italian paper that stated, the rate of Cesarean sections in Italian women are now at 35%, while the average for the rest of Europe is 25%. This might be an alarming trend or not depending on how you look at it. The article did not go into depth as to why these women are choosing C-sections even when they are not called for medically but more out of a personal choice.

The DH (dear husband) just told me about an article he read, saying the National Health Service, does not include epidurals among its benefits for a laboring woman, but the law is under revision. Could this be the reason women are choosing to undergo C-sections? Maybe women like the idea of being pain free for the delivery. (I am aware that you have pain after the delivery though.) I have no idea but it got me thinking. What should I choose?

P.S. I am aware that a C-section is a surgical procedure and with all surgeries, there can be complications such as infection, scaring, bleeding etc... The last two friends of mine that gave birth vaginally were out for about 2 weeks for one and 3 for the other; I cannot compare their experiences to someone who has had a C-section.
But they both had blood loss, one had an infection and both were in pain for quite a while.

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The MONSTER GTG

Last weekend, Deme and I drove to Greve in Chianti to attend my third ex-pat GTG. There were about 90+ people present from all over Italy, from Ragusa in Sicily, to Calabria, Siena, Torino, Albino (Bergamo), Perugia, Roma, Ravenna, Pescara, Sweden, New Zealand, I can't name them all. This GTG was in the making for several months and thanks to a great many people was a complete success. Cristina, from Expats in Italy was the main organizer but many others were also responsible, Kelley for all the name tags, Laurie and Leticia for putting up the signs and driving the routes and Rita for her organizing also.

It was a cold day in Tuscany but the 5 hours seemed to whisk by despite the chilly weather. We picked up Sara R. from the train station in Florence and off we went. A quick 45 minutes later we were there. Many expats brought magazines, books, CD's and DVD's to trade and I got a few great books along with a few Oprah magazines. It was so great to put faces with the names on the expat site as well as with all the blogs I have been reading. I felt a great sense of community while I was there. There are others in Italy like me, with the same struggles, the same worries, the same everything and many of the same joys. I love my expat community and am very grateful to have found such a great friends. Can't wait for the next one.