Ciao!
Il Desco is a new restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida that centers on “Modern Italian” food. I have not had the pleasure to dine there yet but was made aware of a competition they are holding on Instagram. The participant must make an “Italian Inspired” dinner and photograph their meal on their dinner table. I saw this competition as a fun way to learn, I was hyped, I was ready…I decided not to do it.
I was spewing out excuses much like how Oprah gives gifts. I was talking to people like “You get an excuse, you get an excuse…YOU ALL GET EXCUSES!!!” (I’m paraphrasing). I reported my decision to the woman that informed me about the competition and was relieved to have finally moved on with my choice. Time passes and she responds with…”still submit.” Really woman? You couldn’t just let me dwell on my weak will? Words are powerful. Those two little words from a stranger got me back on track. Mrs. Brandalyn, if you are reading this…Thank you. Sincerely.
I learned a lot about Italian food culture and it is embarrassing to admit, but I now know more about Italian food than I do my own culture’s (Chinese). Did you know that Italians have a structure to their meals? Christine Miller explain it here. This is the structure that I followed when creating this dinner. As for the dishes, I was not sure as to whether “Italian Inspired” meant traditional Italian or just Italian influenced. I went with the latter. In the end this dinner was “Italian Inspired” but “Thai executed”…Yeah, I gave everything a touch of Thai…It’s what this blog is about, it’s what I do.
Here is the Menu and Structure:
Antipasto: Roasted Red Curry Spiced Nuts and Mini “Son in Law Eggs”
Primo: Homemade Gnocchi w/ Thai Basil and Cilantro Pesto
Secondo: Red Coconut Curry Spaghetti Con Cozze (Mussels)
Contorno: Sweet Thai Chili Panzanella
Insalata: Thai Cucumber Salad
Dolce: Thai Tea Tiramisu w/ White Chocolate Shavings
Digestivo: A Bottle of Mascoto
Beverages: 3 Bottles of Wine (One for each of us!)
The recipes above and the inspiration behind them will be up in 2 weeks. Just in time for the holidays! Until then…
Saluti!!!
Update: I won!!! Miracles do happen!!! Woo Hoo!!!!