Meraviglioso Pasto!

Today was one of the more laid-back Thursdays I have had here in Denmark.  I didn't do anything at home to take to the center because it was all done last night with Monia.  She told me yesterday that she would come and help me a little after 8, which was fine because she had already helped me get it all ready.  Maybe I ought to say that I helped her.

I went to the center in the early afternoon and did a little cleaning and visiting with different YSAs who came early.  About 6:30 when things were really picking up Monia came in!  I heard a sweet voice from across the room say "Hello Janis."  I turned and there she was hanging up her coat.

She is wonderful in the kitchen.  She started chopping tomatoes for the bruschetta and then slicing bread.  She is efficient and amazing.  Last night we made 2 oversized pans of lasagne and by 7:00 this evening I was worried.  I figured that we could serve 30 people with the 2 pans.

By 7:30 we had 40 people there.  Monia had cut up a large pan of vegetables and seasoned them and topped it all with olive oil.  We baked the two pans of lasagne, the vegetables and made 100 small bruschetta pieces, and put together a large green salad.  Monia had mixed up a wonderful mustard vinegrette.

Can I just take a minute here to say that the lasagne was the best I have ever tasted?  It was incredible. Last night, she browned 2 pounds of ground beef, added some Italian seasoning, tomato sauce, basil, salt, pepper and a ton of paprika.  It is just fun to watch.  She took the box of salt and poured it in until it looked good, then she did the same with paprika....absolutely poured it in....maybe 3 or 4 tablespoons!  She added the seasonings and water and then stirred, leaning over it slightly with her eyes closed and smelling the aroma of the sauce.  She nodded yes, and then let it simmer.  No fuss.. no stress.

We each assembled a pan...I watched her and followed what she was doing.  First a layer of the sauce, then a layer of pasta, then a layer of Bechamella sauce topped with parmesan cheese, repeated three times and finished with a thick layer of mozzarella.  Wow!

It smelled wonderful today as it cooked.  When Monia and I sat down to eat, I thought it was spectacular.  The Bechamella sauce was so much lighter than the heavy ricotta cheese I usually use.  The lasagne held together well, and the blend of the flavors was superb.  Everyone loved it.  And we had quite a few eat....probably 30.  But there was plenty of food for everyone.  It always works out somehow.

The vegetables she baked were seasoned with paprika also...and not a light sprinkling.  They were perfect.

Brother Andersen called her in to the classroom and announced to everyone that she was our guest this evening and had made that wonderful meal and had everyone give her a round of applause.  I think she was pleased.  Besides that lovely tribute to her, so many came and thanked her profusely.

Do you know what was especially delightful?  After it was all over, she said, "Maybe we can do something different another time."  I think she enjoyed it.  I quickly answered, "Whenever you have the time, call me and we'll do whatever you want!"

By the way, the tiramisu she fixed was amazing.  Several of the YSAs took me aside and asked if it had coffee and alcohol in it.  I told them I helped fix it and it was entirely legal.  It looked like a layer cake when we cut into it.  The cake was wonderful Italian lady finger cookies but better than ones I have tasted in America.  They were dipped into unsweetened cocoa/milk which had been heated and cooled.  Between layers of the cookies were an egg mixture that had been whipped with sugar and mascarpone....no vanilla or other spices....just that.  It sat all night in the refrigerator and it was creamy and delicious.

Forgive me if I am running out of superlatives for this meal but it was wonderful.  I hope she'll come back.  I loved her company in the kitchen, and I loved what she does with food!

Wouldn't it be great if I went home from Denmark knowing how to cook like an Italian?