Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Pictures say it all--A New Slide Show From Titina's Kitchen


Beautiful food--happy students--fun classes--
Step into Titina's kitchen in this new slide show from Capri Flavors and see what it's like to cook with the aclaimed Italian Chef. 

(And yes, that is movie star Kurt Douglas romping on the beach at Capri with Titina and her cousin.  Titina's beautiful home island has been a destination for the rich and famous since Roman times.)


Don't forget to turn up your speakers for some great Napoli music to get you in the mood and click on the link below--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldCaCAa3KWo

Thursday, October 7, 2010

New Life for Last Night's Risotto--Arancine from Titina's Kitchen

Chef Titina's students enjoy themselves in her cooking classes.  The food is gourmet, the conversation is lively.  Students linger around the big Italian table and there are usually very few leftovers from the delicious 5 course meal everyone helps prepare.   But on those rare occasions when everything isn't eaten...Titina upcycles.

Like most great Italian cooks, she respects her ingredients and  never wastes them.  So last Monday night's risotto became Tuesday's lovely Arancine.  The name means "little oranges" and it perfectly describes  these golden-fried, stuffed rice balls from Sicily. 

"Stuff them with what you like," Titina says.  Ground beef and peas are very popular, also peas and mozzarella, or mozzarella and ham. 

The process is simple.  Titina doesn't use a recipe. 

First--she combines risotto with egg yoke.

Forms balls in her hand, around filling.  (Just hunks of buffalo mozzarella on Tuesday)

Dips in egg white

Rolls in bread crumbs

Fries in Olive Oil

Here's a link to a recipe on another blog that has some great pictures of the process: http://www.othersideoffifty.com/2009/10/risotto-balls-arancini.htm

And for Titina's Fall menus and classes click here--Let's Cook with Titina