Jewel of the hills...

When I was working for the Italian leather upholstery company Natuzzi, which is located in a town called Santeramo, I used to stay in the next town over called Gioia Del Colle. The name of this town directly translates to “Joy of the hills”, or “Jewel of the hills”. Legend has it, that this name came about when Biancalancia, wife of Emperor Frederick II, was riding her horse through these beautiful hills, and at some point she realized she had lost her necklace. It was a beautiful string of pearls. She searched and searched for them, but they were never found. Despite the loss of her jewels, she fell so in love with the beauty of the area that she decided to name it “Jewel of the hills", in Italian...Gioia Del Colle.

Today, Gioia Del Colle is a town of about 30,000 people, and it’s well known for producing the best mozzarella in all of Italy. The company that produces it is appropriately named Gioiella. Trust me it’s a total joy to eat! In fact, if I was forced to have only two things to eat for the rest of my life, it would be the mozzarella from Gioia, with the bread from another nearby town called Altamura. These two things together can only be described as paradise on a plate!
Every morning as I walk through the town to get to my favorite coffee bar, I see the local retired men congregating near the center piazza sharing the news of the day. And, maybe just a little bit of gossip. In the evenings, you’ll find so many families out walking together hand in hand. It’s a very simple, but wonderful way of life. When it’s time for lunch, the shop owners pull down their shutters, and head to their homes for the main meal of the day. Usually pasta to start, then a meat dish with plenty of local vegetables.

There are so many things about Gioia to write about. Like the state-of-the-art Euro Fighters from the nearby N.A.T.O. base flying over the medieval part of town with the castle built by Emperor Frederick II. But, I will save it all for future posts. For now, take a look at some of the photos I’ve taken since I arrived...

I will take many more photos and post them soon. I hope you will enjoy them. Buona giornata a tutti!◦

Jewel of the hills...

Coffee in paradise...

If you've ever been to Italy, you know exactly how wonderful the coffee is here. No matter what you do, it can never be replicated in the States. Because it's just not as simple as bringing home Italian coffee. It's the water here, the way the machine is only cleaned after the last cup of coffee is made for the day. The atmosphere in Italian cafe's. And for sure the passion of the italian baristas!

Allow me to introduce you to my new friends Clarissa, Francesco, and Orietta. You can find them behind the bar in my new favorite cafe in Gioia Del Colle...Aldebaran Cafe. This place is so wonderful. Everything is amazing here! Of course the coffee, but they also serve fantastic food. They have delicious pastries, chocolates, and they even serve typical local fare for lunch and dinner. I already feel like I'm becoming one of the fixtures. Take a look inside...

Chocolate CD's...how cool is that?!! By the way, while I'm writing this, I'm sipping an amazing espressino! It really is...coffee in paradise! Buona giornata a tutti :-)

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Coffee in paradise...

"When in Rome"...

As I usually do on overseas flights, I slept most of the way to Rome. I woke up about an hour before landing, just in time to see the first light in the eastern sky. Sunrise is even more special at 37,000 feet in the air! When I landed, I really did go directly to the nearest cafe! And here's the actual coffee and cornetto with chocolate...it was SO delicious!

After this delicious little snack, I headed directly into the center of Rome. From there I spent a little time walking, and a lot of time eating ;-), sorry, I was so hungry and ate so fast, I forgot to take some photos of my lunch! It was a wonderful panzorotto with prosciutto and formaggio. Words cannot describe how wonderful it was! After lunch I did snap some photos outside the train station.

After this, it was time to board the train and head to my wife's hometown. More to come very soon!◦

"When in Rome"...

right about now...

...I should be landing in Rome.

The first thing...the nearest cafe!

I cannot wait to taste again the best coffee in the world!

Of course I will need a cornetto with it...

After that, time to catch my connection. I'm spending the next month in my favorite small town in southern Italy. I'll be snapping and posting...

It's family time :-)

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right about now...

I'm on my way! :-)

Right about now...my "seatbelt" is fastened, my "seatback" and tray table are in the upright position...can you guess where I'm going?

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I'm on my way! :-)

Invisible Man

Liu Bolin, a performance artist from Shandong.

Awesome!

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Invisible Man

Lemonade

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A friend of mine posted this on his blog not too long ago. After seeing it, I had to post it forward. I absolutely love this! So many people these days can relate. I myself can relate, because just before the big crash, I decided to quit my job, and pursue my ultimate dream of my own design company. Of course the timing could not have been worse. But, I still have no regrets! I've never been happier, and never been more true to myself. Everyone should dare to dream!

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Lemonade the movie

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Lemonade

Celebrating...

You peeps are so cool! So kind! So supportive! Today I noticed that the visit counter has now rolled over 10,000! Words cannot truly express my gratitude! Thank you...Thank you...Thank you!

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-robert petril

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Celebrating...

a quote to remember...

"If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood, and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."

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-Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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a quote to remember...

Baked Turkey Spring Rolls

Baked Chicken Spring Rolls (modified using turkey)
From: Cooking Etcetera

Ingredients:
* 3 cloves crushed garlic
* 2 cm grated fresh ginger
* 2 cups shredded cabbage
* 1 carrot, grated
* 2 cups bean sprouts
* 1 cup chopped turkey breast
* 1 tsp fish sauce
* 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
* 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
* 1 package spring roll wrappers
* 2 boiled eggs, cubed

Directions:
1.) Cook garlic & ginger until fragrant. Add Turkey.
2.) Add carrots & cabbage. Stir in oyster sauce
3.) Close to finishing, toss in bean sprouts, dash of fish sauce.
4.) Remove from heat. Toss in coriander leaves
5.) Lay spring roll wrapper on a flat surface on an angle so it looks like a diamond.
6.) Spoon 2 tbs of the filling at the bottom corner of the wrapper
7.) Fold in the 2 sides. Seal the top of the wrapper with egg white
8.) Continue rolling up to form a tight cylinder
9.) Bake in an oven 200C until crispy or turn golden brown◦

Baked Turkey Spring Rolls

Turkey Curry

Diana Rattray: Use leftover turkey to make this tasty turkey dish...

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons curry powder
4 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cups chicken broth
1 can (8 to 9 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained
3 cups cooked diced turkey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
hot cooked rice

Preparation:

In a large skillet, heat curry powder in butter, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in onions; continue cooking, stirring frequently, until onions are softened. Blend in flour and ginger; add chicken broth and pineapple. Heat to boiling; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes.
Stir in turkey. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes longer, or until heated through. Stir in lemon juice. Serve with hot cooked rice.Serves 4.

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Turkey Curry

Turkey and Mashed Potato Croquettes

Got Leftovers? Here's one of the yummiest recipe's I could find for leftover turkey. Please feel free to leave any other wonferful nuggets in the comments...

Turkey and Mashed Potato Croquettes
Diana Rattray

Make these turkey croquettes for a post-holiday meal or make smaller ones and serve as appetizers. Freeze these croquettes before breading, then complete with coating ingredients and instructions after thawing. These are delicious served with leftover or store-bought gravy and cranberry sauce.

Ingredients:

* 2 cups finely minced leftover turkey
* 1 cup leftover seasoned mashed potatoes
* 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* ***Sauce***
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 6 green onions, with a few inches of green, thinly sliced
* 1 clove garlic, finely minced (omit if using garlic mashed potatoes)
* 4 tablespoons flour
* 1/4 cup chicken broth
* 1/4 cup milk
* 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
* ***Coating***
* 1/2 cup all Coating-purpose flour
* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water
* 2 cups finely ground fresh bread crumbs

Preparation:

Combine the turkey, mashed potatoes, parsley, and black pepper.

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add green onions and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the flour and stir until well blended. Stir in chicken broth and milk. continue cooking, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add salt, to taste. Combine with the turkey mixture, blending well. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 1 to 2 hours. Put 1/2 cup of flour in a plate. Beat eggs in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of water. Put the finely ground bread crumbs in another bowl.

Shape croquette mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (a little smaller if you're making appetizers). Roll gently in the flour to coat, then in the egg until coated. Coat with the bread crumbs. Place on a waxed paper or foil-lined cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining turkey mixture and crumbs. I keep plenty of paper towels and a bowl of water handy to keep my hands relatively clean.

Let the croquettes stand for about 30 to 45 minutes to dry a bit.

Heat oil to about 360°. Fry the croquettes in small batches for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, depending on size, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve with hot turkey gravy and cranberry sauce as part of a post-holiday meal or as appetizers for guests.Makes about 16 to 18 1 1/2-inch croquettes.

Yum!!! I love this time of year!◦

Turkey and Mashed Potato Croquettes

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday! I hope your day is filled with warm smiles, and joy filled times to cherish and remember with loved ones and friends!

~

Happy Thanksgiving!

.

-robert

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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Pizza Petril's...

This is my cousin's pizza shop. It's called City Pizza, and it's located at 16th & Oregon Ave in Philly. You can claim my bias here, so I invite you to ask anyone within range in South Philly, and they will tell you it's one of the best pizza shops in all of Philadelphia. And, it's completely full of Petril Peeps! Let me introduce them to you...

This is Robert Petril. He's the owner, and he's jammin' on the main ovens.

And then there's another Robert Petril, and he's jammin' the back ovens...

Then we have Anthony Petril rockin' cheesesteaks on the grill...

And then another Anthony Lebo Petril wheelin' the pies all over South Philly...

Ok, then we have Nick Petril laying down sauce, cheese, and toppings on the fresh dough that Bruce was just tossing...

The list goes on. Some more Petrils just had the night off. Like this mug here named Dio Petril. He was probably home sleeping...

And, Gianna Petril upstairs rockin' the tanning salon...

City Pizza is SO busy! The phones downstairs are always off the chain crazy!

Here's a clip of what City Pizza "Rush Hour" looks like. It's a well choreographed pizza ballet...



If you're in South Philly, you just gotta stop here and grab a pie!

Seriously! How lucky am I to have a pizza army like this in the family!?

City Pizza, 16 & Oregon, South Philadelphia, 215-755-8888

Tell them "Buzzy" sent you.

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Pizza Petril's...