Cooking Club 9.0: Carmela's Kitchen

Date: Friday, February 6th, 2009
Attendees: Mary Kay, Ben, Bridget, Martha Ellen, R. J.
Location: Mary Kay's House

Note: I don't know of any photographic proof of this evening.

Whenever anyone says "mmmmmm," Bridget thinks everyone is making fun of her. But that noise was heard early and often throughout Cooking Club's latest go-round. The Italian Theme ("A Night in Roma") celebrated both Bridget's Italian heritage and CC's passion for the flavors of the world. It was like Bridget's Aunt Carmela was with us the whole time; the evening actually did include her Italian grandmother, albeit via conference call. We dialed her in for a few cooking tips.

A lot was on the line that night. We were back to Mary Kay's house, the least successful CC kitchen (from a cooking standpoint, not fun). And "mellow" is really what everyone needed that night. It really didn't turn out that way, as R. J. passed out after a few glasses of Italian wine and Martha Ellen slept over at MK's house. To her credit, Martha Ellen did get up and run a 5K the next morning.

Italy-by-way-of-Des Moines Italian Menu:
Appertif (Before Dinner Drink): Peach Bellini
Antipasti (Appetizer): Antipasto di fruitti di mare (Seafood Antipasto)
Primi Piatti (The Main): Manicotti, Contorni, Red Grape and Arugula Salad with Fennel Seeds and Ricotta
Dolci (Dessert): Tirimasu
Vino (Wine): Italian Inspired

Highlights:
- The "Italian" Music - Pandora.com's Italian choices included twangy country and polka.
- Starbucks isn't surprised when I ask for 6 oz of espresso (for the Tiramasu).
- It was back to the OG (Original Gangsta) crew. Ben, MK, R. J., Martha Ellen, Bridget
- Bridget's guest (Laura) bailed. Big time.
- Roxette.
- Ben wore hypercolor. Hypowrinkle. his clothes got to seattle first.
- Shagley's care package of porn + pancake flipper really came in handy. I mean...the pancake flipper really came in handy.

Key Learnings
- The traveling box may--or may not--work as a carry-on.
- If you don't have enough ingredients, steal it from the antipasti.
- Bridget's grandma says to roll the pork, beef or cheese over like a pancake
- Bridget's grandma said she has a blister on her big toe
- If you dump the entire, unfrozen Tiramasu down the back of the freezer. . .just clean it up so MK's mom doesn't have to clean it MONTHS later when she moves to London.
- Associate members get to sponsor guests now (worth a debate).

Memorable Quotes
- "We'll just eat this last" (There's a LOT of freezing--CC's way of making up for hours of refrigeration)
- Mary Kay said, "Something smells funny." We thought it was Martha Ellen's feet. Some of the Italian cheeses smelled like barf. Or, if you're Bridget, "like home." - "It tastes like real pasta"
- "R. J., you just drink. Just drink."