Mama Mia

I seriously love Italian-style cooking. And eating. Therefore Italian cooking classes through Ann Arbor Rec Ed have been my "thing" over the last couple of years. This last semester alone, I signed up for three! (The classes are 2 hours each and include sampling of all the food made at the end; more often than not, a full meal). Usually, I pay a lot of attention, take a lot of notes, and do a lot of eating and "mmmmmming." Tonight though, with my Italian Appetizers class, I decided to take pictures! Not something I've done before because I usually feel a little uncomfortable. But this time the class was so full and the appetizers were served family style, so I didn't have to worry about people questioning what I was doing. I don't think I'll post recipes since they're not my own and I would hate to steal awesome instructor Francesca's thunder. BUT, I will show you what simply spectacular things I ate tonight and are now in my repertoire.

Millefoglie con salsiccla (puff pastry w/ sausage)Carciofi alle acciughe (artichokes w/ anchovies)Polenta fritta alla pizzaiola (Fried polenta w/ pizzaiola sauce)Grilled Zucchini w/ vinaigrette dressing

Seriously, there was nothing not to love. If forced to pick a favorite though, I'd have to go with the fried polenta with homemade pizza sauce. I've had polenta before, but never like this. It was soooooo good, that I think I'll try to make it for Brad this week. Anyhow, I have a great time every class, and I walk away both full and with plenty of new recipes. So if you're looking for something new in 2009, check out the Rec Ed catalog. I promise it's worth every penny of that $35 class fee. At least Francesca's classes are.