Last Day of 2011

So it's the last day of 2011.

I'm currently in Calabria stuffing my face with foods that are contributing to my ever growing love handles.  Eating 4 course meals everyday for lunch and dinner including dessert.  Feeling disgustingly blissful, while at the same time panicking and studying for my exams that are quickly approaching.

So obviously I haven't been cooking.  I wanted to do restaurant reviews of some sort. But I don't think I'd be good at it.  I've visited Alia, which is in Castrovillari, and Le Cucine di Palazzo Salfi.  Alia's said to be one of the best restaurants of the country, serving Calabrian food with a modern twist.  I'll perhaps do a more detailed post about these two places later, I've taken photos, but right now, in summary, it was a big disappointment.  I've given it a 2.5 stars out of 5 in my book.  it was average.  Merely average.  It was good, but it wasn't splendid.  Maybe 2.7 stars.


Palazzo Salfi on the other hand was extraordinary.  I'm going there again tonight. Mind blowing to say the least.  But details will follow in another post  (just a slight preview:  30 hour roasted lamb with liquorice sauce..) 

Calabria is where my dad's from.   Please visit if you get a chance. It's got a nice..ghetto charm.  And it's a foodie's paradise.

Anyway. New Year's resolutions.
1.  Gym at least once a week (I've paid for gym membership and it's so far cost me 33 pounds per visit, so I need to go to get my money's worth more than anything else)
2.  Pass all my assessments
3.  Get into Honors
4.  Take Chinese/Italian/Spanish lessons
5.  Learn some elementary French

And now the foodie bits
1.  At least 5 Daring Baker challenges
2.  At least 5 Daring Cook challenges
3.  Make at least one traditional Chinese dessert
4.  Make at least one traditional Indian dessert
5.  Roast lamb
6.  Make pate
7.  Make my aunt's Torta Caprese


So this is it.  Celebrate it with food, alcohol, friends and love.  If missing one or more of those elements that's okay as well, I'm not judging.  Tonight I'll be worrying about my weight gain and my exams.


love,

Maria