Culture & Cuisine

Italian Proverbs about Family, Life and Food: Timeless Life Anecdote's

Vivi la tua vita al meglia. - Live your life to the fullest.

Meglio tardi che mai. - Better late than never.

Essere buono come il pane. - To be as good as bread, means to be a really good person.

Chi trova un amico, trova un tesoro.- He who finds a friend, finds a treasurer.

Noi non potremo avere perfetta vita senza amici. - We couldn't have a perfect life without friends.

Chi dorme non piglia pesci. -Those who sleep don't catch fish. (If you snooze, you lose!)

Essere come il prezzemolo. -To be like parsley. (Someone who is everywhere, involved in everything, whether invited or not.)

Gallina vecchia fa buon brodo. - An old hen makes good broth. (Older people have more experience and wisdom. making them valuable.

Dio ti benedica. - God Bless You

Try learning some of these Italian proverbs and input them in your everyday conversation. Impress your friends!

Look for more to come........... I migliori auguri....Best wishes.

Cooking with Amici Students

Our Italian language classes made dinner from scratch! Fresh pasta primavera with spring vegetables, bruschetta, salad, and a fabulous dolci table. It was a prefect night of teamwork and friendship as our school year wound down.

Tagliatelle Primavera with Spring Vegetables

INGREDIENTS:

6 tbsp. olive oil

1 small vidalia or sweet onion, thinly sliced

1 clove minced garlic or 1 tsp. garlic powder

6 oz. button mushrooms, quartered

1 C. asparagus tips (blanched if you are using larger ones)

1 C. sliced baby carrots

1/2 C. frozen peas

1 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise & cut to 1" pieces

1 C. grape tomatoes, halved or 8 oz. can of plum tomatoes

1 lb. tagliatelle pasta (fettuccini or penne may be substituted)

1 C heavy cream

1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese

salt & pepper to taste

2 tbsp. thinly chopped fresh basil

DIRECTIONS:

Heat 5 tbsp. olive oil or vegetable oil in a 12"skillet over medium heat. Cook onion until lightly golden. Add garlic, baby carrots, mushrooms: cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Add asparagus, peas, and zucchini: cook 5 minutes. Add cherry tomatoes and cook another 5-10 minutes.
While vegetables are cooking, fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to boil. Cook pasta until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Reserve 1 C. pasta water and drain well.
Add drained pasta to the vegetables. Add cream, parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper. Add a bit of pasta water if needed to achieve a creamy consistency. Add an additional tablespoon of olive oil and chopped basil. Toss well and serve while hot.
Note - you can eliminate some vegetables, such as peas or zucchini, if desired.