Rome, Italy: Day 46 of our confinement and Day 33 of daily blogging. I seriously cannot think of another thing to cook.
As I suggested last night, we left our resort this afternoon to tour two house for sale (in the same neighborhood). Again, the agent opened the houses, left doors ajar, so we didn’t have to touch a thing - though we did wear masks and gloves. Interestingly enough (to no one but me) the houses had the same exact floor plan. It was just the views/vistas and finishing that were different.
The first house had another creature interested in the property:
Of course, I immediately sent this photo to Lenny, because Lenny just HATES snakes. Maybe I am a terrible Mother-in-Law? Lenny told us: absolutely, under no circumstance, buy this house. Never. I told Lenny the reptile was a gopher snake (actually a quite small gopher snake), and harmless (unless you are a gopher). While at this house, we also saw a rabbit, and a dove nesting in a porch alcove. Sadly, this house was not for us - but not because of the wildlife. We did visit another house this afternoon that we both liked quite a bit. Time will tell.
Today was the first time I had left our resort since April 15 - when we toured another house, and I went to a grocer. Today was the second time I had to make use of a face mask. Pre-COVID, I would say I need to get out more, but I do not say that now. Stay Home People! We felt very safe on our home tours today as both houses had no occupants. Vacation homes left abandoned during this lock-down. Masks + Gloves.
NEWS: Riverside County will allow community pools to open tomorrow. All chairs/tables/loungers will be removed from pool sides. Drinking fountains will be turned-off. Bathrooms will be closed. One person at a time will be allowed in the pools. WHAT? Due to these ridiculous regulations, our resort has decided to not open our pools at this time. I agree. Soon, we hope.
Several years ago, when DT and I were in Rome, we visited (walked there; six miles) Pizzarium, Gabriele Bonci’s devotion to pizza, way up behind the Vatican. He serves a potato pizza, which I still swear to this day, is the best thing I have ever eaten. Last week, David Lebovitz shared a recipe for this pizza, so tonight, I recreated his recipe. Exactly. Did not defer even 1/8 teaspoon.
It was terrible.
Tell me this photo doesn’t look identical to DL’s version?
The potatoes (paper-thin, by the way) did not cook all the way through and who the heck makes pizza without cheese? Maybe I will try to improve on this, but My Driver gave it a “2 out of 10” rating... so maybe I will have to wait for a while?
Poach the potatoes first? Add garlic and cheese? How long is a while? A year?
Probably would be easier to get on a plane to Rome. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. How I do amuse myself.
Happily the appetizer plate and a big Caesar salad were served to appease my picky eater.
Until my next update, I remain, your “I should have just used tater tots!” correspondent.
I have made this recipe for potato pizza with good Success. The potatoes cooked all the way through. I don’t know if it differs from the recipe you tried. https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/04/potato-pizza-even-better/
We are having pizza tonight. I have no knead whole wheat dough in the fridge waiting. Pepperoni for the grand daughters, veggie for the adults. You are right about trying to figure out new things to cook. Made Japanese vegetable pancakes last night. They were a hit with the one year old and adults, not so much the 7 and 5 year old. Thank goodness for internet recipes!
Same recipe. Did not work for me. Will do some internet searching for Bonci’s recipe… can’t escape to Rome at this time… though he could be open. His restaurant is walk-up/take-out only.
Well one big difference is that in Rome the pizza ovens are between 700 – 900 degrees. I’m sure that would make a big difference. But there’s a clear solution to this recipe. Return to Rome.
Check out Crissy Teigen’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps for a dinner idea.
The flavors are wonderful and a perfect dish for your hot weather.
I’m with Lenny on this house. Nope!