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.