Cooking With Lucas

A few weeks ago I arranged to take a cooking class with some friends and the amazing "Cooking With Lucas".  The class was scheduled for this morning and could not have come at a more perfect time.  It was a wonderful break from packing!  We made quite the assortment of foods:  eggplant stuffed "fancy" ravioli, biscotti, and focaccia bread.  

Although I've only been to two of his classes, lessons with Lucas have been one of my absolute favorite things I've done while living here.  He is so much fun and tailors the menu to cook whatever you're interested in making.  I've said it once, I'll say it a thousand times…if you're in Vicenza, book a class with him!  You will love it!  

I took the class today with some ladies that I've grown to love and respect so much.  I feel like I found an amazing group of friends here right as we are leaving and I'm a little sad to be saying goodbye.  However, the cool thing about being in the military is that Goodbyes are really just See You Laters.  I'm sure we'll all cross paths again one day.   

Eggplant stuffed with garlic cloves, parsley, and pepperoncini. 

Pasta before it's pasta. 

The eggplant is roasted and ready to be blended for the ravioli filling.

I'm only slightly obsessed with paprika.

Squid ink pasta made and ready to be added as decoration to our "fancy" ravioli. 

Ravioli being assembled.

Lucas made a portrait of me…sad because I'm leaving Italy.  

Rosemary focaccia.  I could eat the whole thing. 

Biscotti cooking (for the second time) in the oven.  If only you could smell this picture.  

Ravioli waiting to be cooked.

The baby needed some pasta too.

The final product.  Eggplant ravioli with tomato and zucchini sauce, focaccia bread, and wine of course! 

Biscotti, or as Italians call them, cantuccini, with almonds, orange zest, and chocolate chips. 

The wonderful group!  (Nixon was way happier than he looks in this picture.  Haha!)