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Foodie January: Italy

Inspired by the variety and quantity of books on cooking at our local library, we set a unique kind of New Year’s Resolution this year. We have decided to pick a different ethnic genre of food each month for one year.  This doesn’t mean every meal fits the theme (we aren’t that crazy), but we did attempt to have one or two meals a week with a special flavor.

January became a tour of Italy using the book Giada’s Kitchen by Giada de Laurentiis. We enjoyed a special excuse to have friends over or just to enjoy a different type of meal as a family.

My favorite was on a day when Ashley started cooking without me. Now, I know what most of you are thinking, “of course that would be his favorite”, but the food is what really set it apart, not just the lack of work on my part.  By the time I walked in the door after work my daughter ran to give me a hug and Ashley had made the Prosciutto Mozzarella Pinwheels pictured above.  They were great!

We ended the month with a trip to my all-time favorite restaurant, Maggiano’s on Clark and Grand in Chicago. The highlight there, besides going with great friends, is always the bruschetta with Frank Sinatra background music.

Next month, a trip to Thailand. Unfortunately just through the kitchen, not through the air.