Sophie In Italy - Day 3 Cooking Class

Today was a rainy day, but I didn't let that get me down, especially as it was my last day in Rome. I originally intended to visit Vatican City, however, I didn't foresee it being closed on a Sunday. Nevertheless, I still wanted to visit the Borghese Gardens, so after finding another cafe to enjoy delicious pan au chocolate and a cappuccino, I set foot to enjoy the sights along the way.

Passing by Roma Termini to book my train ticket to Venice for the next day, I took a leisurely stroll to the Borghese Gardens. They were grand and beautiful, but the rain got heavier so I took shelter in another cafe, further fuelling my addiction to Italian coffee.

After walking round getting lost in the gardens, I got an Uber back to my apartment to get ready for my pasta cooking class at Tucci restaurant. On the way I stopped off at Humana Vintage and got a Celine scarf and coat made in Italy for €30. You need to check out this store!

Upon arrival, I bought myself a gin and tonic and made some friends with two German guys who I later went for cocktails with. We put our aprons on and began...

Tiramisu and pasta making class

This cooking class cost me £42 on Airbnb Things To Do, and overall took 1.5 hours.

Tiramisu

First, prepare the tiramisu to that it has time to set while you make the pasta. You only need 5 ingredients to make 2 portions:

1. 2 fresh eggs

2. 125g mascarpone

3. Cold espresso shot

4. 4 savoiardi (sponge fingers)

5. 4 tablespoons of sugar

Separate the egg yolk from the egg white. Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar with the egg white and whisk until it has reach stiff peaks. If you can turn the bowl upside down and it doesn't fall out, you've done it right. Patience is key here.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolk with the rest of the sugar until it is nice and creamy. Then, add the mascarpone and whisk again. Once fully mixed, carefully stir the egg whites into the yolk mixture spoonful by spoonful, folding it in gently. This is your cream.

Add a tablespoon of your cream to a dessert cup, then dip your biscuit into the coffee, break it in half, and place it on top of the cream. Add more cream on top and repeat. This is your tiramisu.

If you'd like to, you can add a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top before leaving it in the fridge to set.

Pasta

This was honestly the best pasta I have ever tasted. Perhaps because I made it myself, but it was.

You will need:

100g of 00 flour

1 fresh egg

Pinch of salt

Put 90g of the flour in the shape of a pyramid and make a hole in the centre. Add a pinch of salt and crack the egg in the middle.

Begin to whisk the egg with a fork and slowly add the flour, once the ingredients are blended, knead the dough for 5 minutes on a chopping board, sprinkled with some of the remaining flour.

Create a homogeneous dough, not too hard consistency. Add the remaining flour slowly. Remember, you can always add more flour but you can't take any away! With your hands make a cylinder and roll out the dough with a rolling pin first in one direction and then in the other.

Take care to add the flour when needed so as not to stick the dough to the surface.

Once the pasta is ready, starting on one side, roll up and stop in the centre. Do the same on the other side. Cut the pasta with the knife according to the preferred pasta size.

Cooking: Once the water boils, soak the pasta for about 2 minutes. In any case, the pasta will be ready when it comes to the surface. Season with sauce to taste.