3 Pasta Sauce Cooking Class with Teresa Colors

Saturday, September 12

When I first heard about Teresa Colors, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Having an Italian teach you how to make Italian dishes. But it took me over a year of being here to actually to take one of her classes. I had been on one of her grape harvest tours, which was a lot of fun! I'm kind of upset it took me that long, because the food turned out delicious and amazing! And the best part, she broke it down so we would be able to make it at home ourselves.

I was so excited when my next door neighbor invited me to her at home cooking class with Teresa Colors. We were going to make 3 pasta sauces: prosciutto cotto and cheese, pesto and mushroom sauce. Another great perk is that she brings everything, all supplies and cooking materials to your house. It only costs €20 per person! Plus, she brings a bottle of wine to split with everyone. Can't beat that!

The event started at 5pm. While Teresa set everything up, she put some type of chip/cracker on the table for us to share. I wish I remembered what it was because it was addicting. I had to force myself not to eat so many as I still had all 3 dishes to eat.

The first pasta sauce she showed us how to make was the prosciutto cotto and cheese sauce. Showing us step-by-step instructions on how to prepare everything and also letting us sample some of the stuff along the way.

























The second pasta sauce was the pesto sauce. She was using the last of her basil from her garden, as it was the end of basil season. I'm always a big fan of pesto sauce, so I was excited to see how this one turned out. Also, on knowing how to make my own fresh pesto sauce at home.

The last pasta sauce was the mushroom sauce. I would eat mushrooms when I was back in the states, but I would never specifically order a meal for the mushrooms, Italy has definitely changed me. Now I look for dishes with fungi or porcini in them. With this new found love for mushrooms, I was also looking forward to how this sauce was made.

(cutting off the stems)

(Adding the mushrooms to blender)

(blending the mushrooms)

While she was finishing up the last pasta sauce she started to boil some water for the pasta.

After the pasta was finally cooked, I was so excited to finally try all the pasta sauces. As the little samples we had of just the sauces was amazing!

(Mushrooms sauce pasta)

(Proscuitto and cheese sauce pasta)

(Pesto sauce pasta)

Oh my! Is all I have to say. All of the pasta sauces were delicious! I had a hard time deciding which one was my favorite, but if I had to decide I think it would of been the mushroom, then pesto, then the proscuitto cotto and cheese sauce.

(Trying them all!)

I am so glad my neighbor had done this event at her house and that I could finally actually do one of Teresa Color's cooking classes. I will definitely be doing another one! Also, for anybody wanting to do a cooking class, she can either come to your house or she has them at her house. She also has opportunities/classes where you can learn how to make pizza from scratch, how cheese is made or how gelato is made. I'm hoping I can try one of these classes as well in the future.

(My neighbor, who hosted the cooking class)

Photoshoot

Sunday, September 13

When I came over to Italy I knew I was going to be limited on a few things. As for one, we cannot work on the economy while we live here. Long story short, it took me a while to find a normal salary job, but I'm so glad I did. Now that I have the normal job things slowly have been starting to fall in to place.

Random facts about me as a kid. I was a super shy child growing up, I would never be the one to start the conversation with new people. But slowly over the years I have finally started to open up and be more outgoing. With this new version of myself, I have found it a lot easier to do things I have always wanted to do. I have met so many new people. Also, with this new version of myself, I decided to try and do something I never in my life thought I would have the courage to do, a sports photoshoot. I have become a lot more health and fitness conscious, yes I still was before, but I thought why not try and get sponsored or work for something I am truly passionate about. Which is staying healthy and being active.

With this photoshoot I am trying to find a sports/fitness company that would allow me to model their clothes or help promote them in some way. I hope with my persistence and more outgoing self, that I will eventually be able to work for a company and help promote their products.

Below, I have provided some of the pictures from the photoshoot.

(Not even planned photo)

(Being my goofy self while they adjust the lighting)

(Just staring while they played with the lighting)

Duathlon

Saturday, August 29

When I found out there was a Duathlon I really wanted to sign up for it but was a little nervous, since it was bike and running, no swimming which is my get ahead portion of races. But why not give it a try. I was even more excited I was able to convince Preston to sign up with me! Since he has a basically brand new bike, thanks to my loving daddy!!

We had to meet by the Dragon Gym at 7:30am to set up and hear how the course was set up.

And were off...

All I have to say is I'm glad I could finish the race in one piece! The bike portion was the hardest part for me, it felt like it was never ending. And of course when I got to the running portion, I had to basically waddle to get going. But I ended up being a lot better at the running than the other women who were participating because I ended up passing all of the women who were way ahead of me on the bike.

I was so happy both Preston and I finished the race in pretty good time! And we didn't die.

I ended up getting first in my age group and also first female to finish overall. I also won another Polar watch. Being the awesome wife I am, I gave it to Preston since I had previously won one from another race I had done. Now we could be twins!

 I would definitely do another one of these. But I think I should probably work on my biking skills before next time.

My 25th Birthday!!

Monday, August 24

I'm a quarter of a century now!! I am one of those people who actually love birthdays. Every year I would always receive a new tiara to wear. Some had flashing lights on them, some with feather, or just simple ones, but I would almost always wear one. I was that obnoxious person wearing them :)

I had an extended birthday, as you can tell from my previous post of going to Jesolo beach. On top of that Preston surprised me by allowing me to choose whichever Michael Khors flats I wanted. I had been wanting one for a while now. I ended up picking the navy blue, as my other choice of red but they didn't have my size anymore.

To start off my actual birthday, I had to work but I was overwhelmed with treats and goodies. To start off the day my coworkers brought in pastries and brioches. I love Italian pastries! To go along with all my morning goodies I had a yummy Caramel Hot Chocolate from Deja Brew. 

Later in the day, my friend Mary came in to work to surprise me with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine! I'm so glad I met her on the Benevenuti tour, I would definitely be lost without her!

On the evening of my birthday, we decided to go to dinner at this one place we have always heard about that is super small and run out of the families home. It was supposedly the #1 in Aviano. I had invited our friends Mary and Corey to come too. Mary had also really wanted to come to this place as she had only heard good things about it too.

The name of the restaurant is Alla Stella and is only about 5 minutes from our house. But even closer to the mountains. Even with the gps, you have to make sure you are keeping your eyes peeled because most likely you will pass right by it because it is hidden a little behind buildings up the street it is down. Plus, make sure you bring a small car because there is almost no parking available! It's literally only about the size of a 4 car garage!

At first we were a little hesitant because the outside does not look like it would be a restaurant. Inside it was very cozy and small like everyone had said. When we sat down there was already a massive bottle of wine and a bread basket waiting for us. They even came out and asked what kind of water we wanted and brought out a huge bottle.

Next he brought us out an appetizer. It looked very interesting and I cannot remember the name but it was really good!

Next he asked us which type of pasta we wanted. All of us but Preston ordered the spicy pasta, while Preston go the pasta with meat sauce. (Spicy wasn't that spicy, and I don't like spicy) Both were again very tasty! So far everything has been really good and the service was really good. The owner, I believe, was the one who would come to our table for each order. He was very friendly.

(Pasta with meat sauce)

(Spicy Pasta)

Next the main course. There were a few options you could choose from. We ended up getting a huge meat platter with some "grilled cheese" and 4 sides to go along with it. We had already had so much food and still all this to come. You need to make sure your really hungry when you eat here.

(Looked bigger in real life)

(Potato Fries)

(3 extra sides)

Again everything was delicious! All 4 of us couldn't even finish it all since there was so much!

Next he asked if any of wanted coffee or cappuccino's or anything else. We were all so stuffed that we had to say no thank you.

After all the food we had we were kind of expecting the bill to be pretty big. But when we got up to pay it only ended up being 50Euro!! This is for all 4 of us and all of the courses and drinks included (unlimited wine and water)! I was shocked at how cheap it was. The food and service for us was amazing! I would definitely recommend this place and for sure myself be going back.

After leaving the restaurant we all decided we wanted gelato. Even after all that food and being super full. It just didn't feel like a real Italian dinning experience without going to get gelato after.

We went to Aviano Square where they had opened up a new gelato place. I was interested to see if it was as good as Il Gelato in Aviano's Gray Mall Square.

There were so many choices to choose from! I had to sample a few before deciding. This gelato is so creamy, it just melts in your mouth. Plus they had Preston's favorite, dark chocolate. I can't even remember the name of the one I got, but it was good.

I will be coming back to this gelato place!

What a great extended birthday weekend! Now I can't wait to go to Cinque Terre on Labor Day weekend as a late birthday present and getaway for Preston and I!