No, You Can’t Toast the Lady Fingers! (Feb. 16, 2014)

Carol and soft lady fingers

Every U.S. cooking class features a memorable moment: I’ll always remember Carol’s San Francisco event (and not just for the good times with this great group!) but for our host’s proposed solution for the needed crispy lady fingers. Carol had purchased soft ones (not really doable for this tiramisu) but perked up brightly with a solution for remedying the situation, “oh, let’s just toast them!” A good round of laughs from this already joyous and laughing group, gathering together (Carol’s idea) for a reunion: friend Tina had invited over twenty friends to Umbria to celebrate her birthday last year. I was their guide and what good times we shared. Before they all left Italy, Carol had asked me to cook for a San Francisco surprise birthday dinner for Tina this year. And so we did.

Guest-of-honor Tina’s face fell to the floor (almost) when she walked into Tony and Doug’s (also on the trip) kitchen. California friends were there, gathered around the kitchen island and then out popped, TJ who’d flown in from Oregon and I was there to pull in Umbria. Lots of reminiscing as we put together our feast, then shared it.

Sharing the bruschetta goodness

And before dinner was over, another reunion of us all had already been planned: Carol’s sister Joan and husband Andy asked me to cook in their home for an Umbrian cooking class 2015 gathering. I’m already looking forward and have the recipes all worked out.

Til next year, buon appetito to all.
And Carol, when making your tiramisu at home, use the crispy ones
(or graham crackers work, too – as we substituted this time).
….but forget the soft ones!

A few comments:
“What an experience, Annie! The raw ingredients blossomed into such a beautiful meal. The menu will definitely become a part of our cooking events. Truly, a night to remember.” Joan

All help me

“Thank you so much for the dinner you prepared for Tina. It was a wonderful look back for our time together in Assisi.” Carol

“Annie, thank you so much for such a special 61st!….Go, Broncos.” Tina

“Loved the food and thanks for an early birthday for me on 2 – 21!” Bill

“…fun to see you again..and an especially at an Umbrian cooking event. It was great having it at our house…The food was spectacular and so easy to prepare… Love you, Annie” Doug

“You have brought a wonderful touch of Umbria to us. We loved our tour with you in Assisi and now our cooking together has brought it all back.” T.J.