TRATTORIA VIA GIULIA, 179 ROMA

Are there some of you out there wondering what in the heck we've been eating?  I know, I know, food for Joanne and Henry is like oxygen for breathing.  Firstly we are in the breadbasket of the world as far as we're concerned.  Italian, French, German - we love it all.  We've tasted it all and yes we love it all.   One of the reasons we chose to "live" in Italy was our love for the taste of the pomodori (tomatoes for those of you who have a slightly less knowledge of Italian than I do).  We first experienced the taste when we were in Montepulciano and had a delicious Margherita style pizza.  How can I describe in words, the most delicious burst of flavour we experienced. The tomatoes actually tasted like the fruit they are.  Sweet.  Not that acidic, tasteless kind we get at home whether it be au natural, on the vine or greenhouse grown.  I don't know why but there must be something in the soil or the way they grow them or process them here.  You haven't really lived until you've eaten a tomato grown in ITALY, seriously.

The ubiquitous pomodori sharing centre stage with some, also delicious, cheeses.  On the left is the:

Leerdammer:Boulder-shaped, creamery, semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk.  I liked this cheese. It is slightly tart but overall enjoyable just to nibble. On the right is a type of:Pecorino is the name given to all Italian cheeses made from sheep's milk.  I really love Pecorino and so generally, does Henry.  I forget the exact name of the brand we picked up but Henry found it slightly too tart. Not so for me.

Of course, cheese and tomatoes are not our only sustenance.  We have not yet found a Costco and because we shop on a daily basis, our two main food sources are Carrefour and Despar.  No, they are not large shopping centres but for the locals, and we are currently locals, the primary sources of cooking and cleaning staples.   Also, bear in mind that we must carry what we buy so we get lots of exercise hunting and gathering through the streets of Rome.

This was one shopping trip.  

Above is a sample of our findings on a recent "hunting" and gathering trip.  Cleaning supplies are always a must particularly when everything is constantly being coated with calcium (sinks, taps, pots, pans, us).  Also we look for bargains, note our chicken was 30% "oferte".  This  little haul which included cheese, chicken, veal cutlets, soap (dishwasher, laundry) was 40 euros but it's going a long way.  Aside from Dispar and Carefour we are now regulars at Campo di Fiori for fresh vegetables.  We have also ventured as far as Testaccio as this is more a "working man" area and prices more reasonable that Campo di Fiori.

A sampling of the cheese selection at the Carrefour.... mmmm Parmegiano Regiano tastes different here.

Yes, that's me in the apron.  I subscribe to the Elizabeth Minchelli blog.  She also has an app for the IPAD EATS ROME which I purchased before we left.  One of her recipes (I don't care for most of them) was roasted cauliflower and leeks.  Well if I do say so myself YUM YUM..... Before and after are above.  Simply cut the vegetables, salt, pepper, sage (fresh from Campo di Fiori), coat with olive oil and roast in the oven for about 30 mins.... Here, at Trattoria Via Giulia, 179 we are having it with a veal chop we bought at La Florentina, a meat market located in Campo di Fiori.... mmmm, mmmmm if I do say so myself.  By the way, no, Henry and I didn't each have a veal chop.... we actually split it.  (and yes, that's Henry wearing the apron now) Needless to say our plates were empty and our bellies full at the end of the meal. 

For lunch one day we made personal pizzas.  Instead of of pizza crust we used flatbreads bought at Forno's, also located in Camp di Fiori.  Believe me, we shop all over and I've got blisters to prove it, but for convenience the Campo is just around the corner.  Henry had a salami, tomato and cheese and I had a Margherita - homemade by yours truly. Just those delicious pomodori and cheese.  Again, Trattoria Via Giulia, 179 is the place to go in my humble opinion.

And of course, there is always roast chicken.  I wonder, why is it that the food tastes so real in Europe.  The chicken was sweet and delicious.

We also had a pork chop one night.  Yes, each had one to ourselves, greedy greedy.  Vegies were from Campo 

Now this pasta is something Henry copied from when we ate out at Pirelli's (more to come on that at another time).... His version was delicious.  Called Cacio e Pepe it is simply Taglietelli with pepper, olive oil and Pecorino (Henry used Parmigiano Regiano).   To die for.  Also, goes without saying that the garlic bread Henry made was delicious because the garlic was bought locally at the Campo too... 

This is Henry's typical breakfast - I say Henry's because I don't usually eat Jam.  The jam by the way is Cherry.  Two small jars were left by Chiara (the woman who looks after the apartment) along with a bottle of wine for new arrivals.   

Of course we've eaten much more than the above and no, we don't always eat at Trattoria Via Giulia, 179 although it's probably our favourite place.  I'll be posting soon about our meals out so you can be the judge, based on appearances alone.  So far, amount of weight lost 0 lbs, but what can I say...   Wish you could join us for dinner.  Time seems to be flying, so much to write, so much to see... missing family and friends but as you can see we are well - hoping you are too.  Keep in touch and hugs to all, joanne and henry.  Ciao for now!