Monday, March 4, 2013

WITH DANIEL AT ENZO & LISA'S FOR LUNCH


Italy Journal
Sunday, March 3, 2013

WITH DANIEL AT ENZO AND LISA’S FOR LUNCH


Daniel and Enzo have had a very strong friendship this year. Both of them are quite knowledgeable about lots of things, especially good wines. It has been fun to see them banter back and forth about any topic. I could easily see them as brothers in another life.  They have acted like that this year already.

It was very special for us to be included in Enzo and Lisa’s invitation to lunch with Daniel. This week will be very busy, so they wanted to make sure they got a visit in with him before he leaves for Singapore on Saturday. Unfortunately, he will miss our Saturday Supper with Gina and Will. Enzo may get to go to graduation with me on Thursday, which will give him one more chance to visit with Daniel and the others; and of course, he and Lisa always attend our group Suppers. In fact, this week, Peter asked me to set the table for our 4 guests who were coming for dinner one night. I set the table for 8 by mistake, just automatically including 2 more - Lisa and Enzo _ in the number, even though they were not on the guest list that night. It’s a good habit!

I made sure Enzo knew that I appreciated that he made all my favorite dishes just for me. When he responded with a twinkle in his eye, “No, Colleen, I didn’t make them just for you,” my reply was to get right up in his face and say strongly, “Wrong answer, Enzo, let’s try that again.” He got it right the second time around!

We started the meal with MY wonderful twisted puffs with prociutto and cheese inside, served with Alice’s favorite salad of lettuce, orange slices, slices of fresh artichokes, celery, oil, salt and pepper. All of us knew there were more dishes to this meal, but we couldn’t help ourselves to have extras here. Next, the polenta was served with sides of butter, 3 cheeses and a tomato sauce with cooked salciccia di Bra (sausage) and meatballs. Enzo’s suggestion was to get enough polenta to make 3 servings, then put butter and one of the cheeses on one serving, garganzola cheese on a second serving, and the tomato sauce on the third. We still had extra helpings of this course, too. We will definitely remember to serve polenta this way when we get our electric polenta maker! (It constantly and slowly stirs the polenta for the required long period of time.) This fabulous meal was topped off with an apricot tarte and coffee or tea. WOW! What a perfect meal, and we had such a good time together! Thanks, Enzo and Lisa, yet once again you have hosted a winner of a meal!

Baci, Colleen

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