Mangiare: An Evening with a Chef from Emilia-Romagna

Italy is one of a handful of countries that have attached itself to me so much so that a hot plate of

fresh rolled tortelli reduces me to a mere puddle. Italian food is a very visceral experience for me -

as I think it should be with any excellent meal. It transports me to places I once was and the

places I have yet been. It takes me back to travels through its rolling countryside hills of Regnano

in my favorite part of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, deep in the navel of the country. Or to the seemingly

infinite dinners at an old farmhouse in covert Murazzano in Piedmont, captivated by the stories told in Italian,

3% of which I understand, but those I will not forget nonetheless. Or to a surprising slice of the glimmering

Tuscan coast where the sound of violins supposedly trail you, accessed after a morning of mountain biking.

And it takes me to that within me that aches for nothing more in life than to tuck away

in the hills of Italy for half the year - writing, learning Italian, making pasta, drinking wine,

growing something, perhaps, and cycling like mad all over the place. Oh. And eating unlimited

and shameful amounts of gelato and gluten without gaining a single pound.

(The other half of the year will be spent in France probably doing the same things aforementioned.)

Italy is a country made for wanderlusters, made for lovers, made for artists.

Made for us, the insatiably curious, the perpetually hungry.

And while the dream life in Italy is on temporary hold until such time I can

actually afford to quit working, thanks to an event put on by Reno's Arte Italia,

Italy has come to us. Chef Alessandra Buriani came all the way from

Emilia-Romagna in Italy to cook for 35 of us guests as though she was cooking

at her restaurant back in Italy, Ristorante Buriani, located about 30 miles from Bologna.

The food was exquisite.

Served in traditional Italian fashion, there were four courses -

Antipasto (appetizer), Primo (a first course, usually a pasta), Secondo (usually a meat

or fish dish), and Dolce (dessert). Each dish featured regional and/or seasonal

ingredients making the experience not just a culinary one, but also a cultural one.

There was a cooking demonstration prior to each course, and I must admit

that although none of them was overly complicated, it feels like the

food would taste different if my non-Italian hands touched it.

Parmigiana Liquida di Tartufo con Crocchette di Aspargi

(Fried Asparagus Croquettes with a Parmesan fondue and Truffles) My knees get weak anytime I see "tartufo" - truffles - on any menu, so of course these golden croquettes filled with a béchamel-type sauce and asparagus,

served with a warm parmesan fondue with truffles and toasted parmesan, set the tone for the evening for me. It was impressive in many levels - texture, taste, color.

Tortelli di Patate e Cotechino

(Tortelli with Potatoes and Cotechino Sausage) It didn't even occur to me until now that this stuffed tortelli was served without a true sauce. There's a smear of lambrusco reduction,

a dollop of lambrusco caviar, and a slice of cotechino sausage, but the dish didn't feel lacking at all, rather the opposite.

Petto d'Anatra al Profumo d'Arancia

(Orange Scented Breast of Duck with Cream of Kabocha Squash)

This may have been the best duck dish I have ever had. It was tender, moist and flavorful. I love the colorful plate as well.

Torta Tenerina

Tender Cake This chocolate cake married with mascarpone and raspberry dust is bliss. Plain and simple.

This event is one of the few culinary arts classes made possible by Arte Italia, a Reno-based non-profit aiming to further Italian culture and arts in the Truckee Meadows.

Due to the limited size of the class, participants are selected by lottery. Join their mailing list here to be entered for future classes and be notified of events.

Arte Italia is located at 442 Flint Street, Reno, NV. It is a historic mansion and it is beautiful.

There currently is a free exhibit on Italian-American film "From Cappa to the Coppolas". Admission is free.

#food #renotahoe