Il Pacchetto
Who doesn't like receiving a package in the mail? The truck pulls up, asks for a signature then hands off... childlike glee. It doesn't matter what's inside; it's a package. To make it even better, today's package came all the way from Italy! Check out the bounty mailed to me by Gia-Gina in Italy.
→ Drogheria & Alimentari Lo Zafferano. Contiene 3 Bustine da 125 mg. Sul retro i consigli per preparare 2 gustosi piatti con lo zafferano.
I don't know any Italian, but Google helped me figure out with this one-- saffron! There are two recipes on the back, one for spaghetti and the other for risotto.
→ Marca Due Re Zafferano
Saffron again, also with spaghetti and risotto recipes on the back. The recipes differ from the D&A package though. I'll have to have the Saffron Recipe Deathmatch to see which brand prevails!
→ Saila Liquirizia Purissima, extra forte.
These are petite licorice hard candies, extra forte enough to grow new hair on my chest, despite their diminutive size. Fortunately, I'm fond of licorice and can use more chest hair.
→ Terre d'Italia gelatine agli agrumi di Sicilia. I classici dolcetti della pasticceria siciliana.
Jellied citrus wedges-- apparently they're a classic Sicilian sweet. I'm waiting for the lingering licorice taste to subside before I try one.
→ Pasta D'Acciughe "Belena". Prima fabbricazione Italiana.
Anchovy paste in a toothpaste tube! I had no idea I needed this until it arrived. Now I need to think of a tasty way to use it. Can it be used in place of mashed anchovies in a Caesar salad? The paste form of anchovies is new to me. Gia, you're expanding my culinary world.
→ Knorr Funghi Porcini per le tue Ricette Creative
As near as I can tell, these are porcini flavored boullion cubes for making risotto. And if that's not what they're supposed to be, then I'll just have to look foolish, because I'm makin' risotto.
→ Pan. Vi offre il fungo degli Dei. Funghi porcini secchi speciali.
Dried porcini, to include in my Knorr Porcini risotto!
→ Terre d'Italia Amaretti di Sassello. Le grandi tradizioni locali della nostra tavola.
Amazing little macaroons. If you asked me right now, "You're stuck on a deserted island and can bring only one cookie... which do you choose?" Terre d'Italia Amaretti di Sassello, naturalmente!
If I'd known that blogging would pay such handsome rewards, I'd have started years earlier. Thank you Gia, for your generosity!
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Alan you started it all! I want to send packages to people all over and have them cook with them. I have to contact Alberto fron IMBB and see if he likes the idea or just do it myself. You and your family really make my week when I got your package, I am glad you enjoyed it.
If you wanna use it in a surprisingly simple way, boil some spaghetti (90-100 grams per person is my serving size, to be followed by a second course), than take a pan with about 1 tablespoon of good extravirgin olive oil for each person, heat it, toss in half a garlic clove per person, finely minced, for a few seconds, turn off the fire and stir in the Balena (the name means whale ^___^), just a couple centimeters per person. When the spaghetti are done, turn on the fire again under the pan, add a tablespoon of the water for each person, and toss in the spaghetti until the sauce has coated them. If you like it, add some freshly ground red pepper.
Gia-gina! That's great! I can't wait to tell her I saw the package you sent her in the mail! What a treat. I recently discovered her blog and love hearing about her adventures in Italy, as I do yours in Hawaii.
Gia, you should just dive in and do it! You've already got the most important elements for a successful meme: a strong idea and the enthusiasm to bring it to life.
Alice, thank you for the tip! I hope to try this preparation within the coming week.
Mona, it was even better to be in the midst of it.
Hi Alan,
WOW! You got some pretty cool treats there. Don't you love this whole blogging thing? I've received several packages from folks over the past several months and I really appreciate everyone's generosity. I guess it just goes to show how all us food bloggers love to share our love for food huh?
Reid- you've put it very well. Food bloggers can be generous and warm.
Where do I get Knorr Funghi Porcini in the United States. I bought a ton of it while in Italy and unfortunately, gave most of it away. Now I can't cook my favorite chicken. Help!
Rose
Rose, I honestly don't know. I've done some searching of my own, and it seems like that product can only be found in Italy.
If you are looking for porcini bouillon cubes go to www.SalumeriaItaliana.com and you will find them made by Starr. This is the only US place I have found them...