I'm a planner. It's as simple as that. When we found out we would be moving to Italy, I immediately began a categorized packing list, arranged according to priority, and size. The more time I spend thinking about what I want to bring with me, or what I feel like I NEED to bring, I find my listing growing to a size that may be less-than-ideal. So, I shall shift my attention to those things from my kitchen that I can't possibly live without for a year.
1. Measuring cups/kitchen scale
2. Cookbooks-how many and which ones? That's a revolving list, but as of right now, I'm thinking these are coming with me for sure: Mastering the Art of French Cooking, La Cucina, Bouchon Bakery Cookbook, Larousse Gastronomique, the rest are TBD.
3. My enameled-cast-iron Dutch Oven. (I will bring it in my carry-on if I have to!)
4. My spice collection. Need I say more?
5. Cookie cutters. If you know me, you'll understand. Non-negotiable.
6. Pie plate and 2 round cake pans. Gotta be prepared for visitors and celebrations!
7, My French rolling pin. I have many rolling pins, but this is my favorite.
8. My cast-iron skillet. Already seasoned and loved.
9. My camera. Obviously, since I take way more pictures of food than people.
10. My aprons. It just won't feel like home without them.
If you were leaving home for a year, what item(s) couldn't you live without?
michaelmcgo
I will bring my wife... She comes with a pretty good list I can bum off of.
mandyjoy
Sounds like a plan! I get to use your baggage allowance then right?
Abbi
Definitely measuring cups and spoons and also my digital scale. Not only do I weigh stuff for baking but I am on a bit of a weight loss journey so I weigh a lot of my food to help control portions. I would need my mini food processor and my electric beater (which fortunately both work off the same power stick), also spices definitely, my cupcake pan and my loose bottomed cake tin.
mandyjoy
Great list! Digital scales are so useful for all sort of things aren't they?
Abbi
Absolutely! The battery ran dead on mine a couple of months ago and I ended up shouting, "what am I supposed to to now??" at y very bewildered husband. Oops!
mandyjoy
:) love it.
bakeritalia
Ha,haa! I came with my three favourite knives, my favourite peeler, steel and apron....I'm guttered I forgot my microplane, however, it is only one year and sometimes it is good to be forced to do something's differently. Good luck
mandyjoy
Thanks! I was curious about what you brought! Knives! How could I forget knives?
bakeritalia
Don't forget your knives....,it is Ikea or bust here ha,haa!
mandyjoy
Ugh! Thanks for the heads up! :)
cakesbykat
You are going to Italy for a year? That is exciting! I say forget your old standbys (as in cookbooks, spices, etc)! Embrace every ounce of Italy and use what is local! I had a month and a half in Sicily and although I wasn't old enough to do my own cooking then, I was completely open to all new experiences-especially those of the taste buds! Make friends with people who can help you take it all in. I found the Sicilians very accommodating and friendly. They wanted to teach me and learn from me. I hope you have a wonderful time and take many pictures (In my 3 month trip to Europe, I had taken 30+ rolls of film!). Be sure to catch more than just the food (although the food is very deserving, the culture, the architecture, the landscape, and the lighting, are amazing as well!). Enjoy and I can't wait to hear/see more about Italy!
mandyjoy
Thanks for you input! You bring about a very good point. I definitely want to embrace the culture, and I am definitely ready to learn! I hope to spend sometime in Sicily while I am in Italy. I have heard it's spectacular. I'll be living near Venice, but definitely traveling and exploring all over. So excited!I will definitely be sharing lots of photos and stories, I'm sure.Thanks so much for reading!
cakesbykat
We lived in Motta with an incredible view of Mt. Etna! Simply breathtaking! (Beware, it lets off volcanic ash about once a month-a little "burp", if you will. For the locals, it means nothing, but for an outsider like myself, it meant the worst sinus infection I have ever had. There was so much pressure on my head that I couldn't stand it and my vision blurred. Good thing for socialized medicine-they had me fixed up in a couple of days). I loved all the orange groves and olive trees. I also loved that people grew their own lemon trees! I tried everything from sea urchins to prickly pear cactus! Buying bread daily was great! Seriously, no preservatives meant you ALWAYS had the freshest bread possible-so good! I could make a meal out of the bread and olive oil-and cheese! Also beware that in the older parts of these towns, the streets are very narrow... and they park on both sides... which turns it into a one-way street; but also means you can never drive a larger vehicle because you will not fit! We used to see so many of those 3 wheeled, tiny vehicles, that somehow fit 2 people. We also counted 22 auto mechanic shops in the tiny little town! Oh, and I was told that nobody stops at stop signs because they are written in English! They just beep and fly through! There is also a parade/festival for almost every saint, so be sure to enjoy them while you are there! I caught a few in Catania. Once we moved to Southern France, we visited a town in Northern Italy, where we saw festival floats that were covered in citrus fruits. We visited Taormina and Syracuse (both had amphitheaters, but I enjoyed Taormina more because of the views from atop the hill). Many of the beaches were stone-or sometimes even volcanic rock! Oh how I miss it there! Someday I will go back, but until then, I live vicariously though people such as yourself! lol
mandyjoy
Wow! Sounds like you've had lots of fun adventures. You're getting me very excited! (And hungry for bread and cheese!)