We arrive about 15 minutes before our class, and we walk into a small store stocked with all Italian specialties, from Italian pastas and tomatoes to cured meats, cheeses and wine. Costanzo, one of the proprietors, greets you and checks you in for class. Through the store, there is a beautiful kitchen with twelve barstools lined around it, and Titina, Costanzo's wife, greets you with an apron and name tag. Her son, Ugo, was also assisting in the kitchen this evening. We go back out into the shop and purchase a bottle of Sicilian wine to enjoy while taking our class.
Titina and Costanzo came to the United States from the small island of Capri back in 1994, settled in North Carolina after spending a couple years in Rhode Island. They had run a hotel back in Capri, and desired to bring all the Italian specialties to the United States. Titina's mother is credited for creating the caprese salad back in her restaurant in Capri.
We begin our class by preparing a simple bruschetta, which my friend and I are asked to help assist by chopping grape tomatoes, while Titina puts the olive oil, garlic, and parsley together. Then we mix our chopped tomatoes in, and top some warmed ciabatta bread. Once assembled, each student gets a couple pieces to enjoy as class begins.
Titina starts preparing dinner by preparing the dough to make fresh sheets of pasta for our lasagna bolognese, which one of the students helps mix and knead, then lets set. While the dough is resting, she begins teaching another student to make prosciutto and peas, by simply crisping up some proscuitto in olive oil, onions and garlic, then adding peas to a pan and letting simmer.
We continue through the class making a fine meal - watching two gentlemen cut dough and make the fresh pasta sheets, another student help make the bolognese and bechamel sauces, and my friend and I help assemble the lasagna.
Not to forget a dessert, two students help assemble a tiramisu. Although it needs overnight to properly set up, another class graciously assembled the one we got to eat. Tiramisu always seemed like it was a daunting task, but after this class, I am ready to add it to my dessert recipe arsenal.
Lastly, we make a quick opening plate of prosciutto and melon and a salad with a light lemon dressing. Once everything is ready, we sit at a family style table with the entire class and Titina and Costanzo, and exchange stories of Italy and good food. The food you are taught to make is not only delicious, yet relatively easy to make, and if you don't have the tools (like a pasta rolling machine), Titina will take questions and help you make simple, wonderful Italian food in your home. The cost of all this is only $60/person, and with the $13 bottle of wine we bought (which would have been $40-50 in a restaurant), you get a high quality restaurant meal, without the restaurant price, and you get the recipes to try your hand at it.
My friend absolutely loved her gift, and we are looking forward to doing the same thing for Christmas. Hopefully, we can get in the class where we can make gnocchi, and enjoy yet another fabulous Italian meal with two wonderful hosts from Capri.
Capri Flavors
1012 Morrisville Parkway
Morrisville NC 27560
www.capriflavors.com
