Photo of the Week: Burrata Cheese
Burrata. Easily my favorite food product in Italy.
This Italian cheese comes from the south and is made not only from mozzarella, (using a similar process), but also includes the addition of cream. This seemingly simple – yet essential – ingredient allows cheese artists (yes, they are artists) to create what is effectively a cheese pouch: an outer shell of regular mozzarella with a rich, smooth, milky center that is unspeakably tasty. The name burrata literally means “buttered.” It is a portable pocket of cheesy, creamy goodness that must be tried to be believed.
A moment after this picture was taken, the ball of burrata was cut open and the delicious goodness was revealed (and promptly devoured). Usually served lukewarm to cold, it can be eaten with bread (to soak up the creamy cheese inside), on pizza (usually thrown onto hot pizza right as it comes out of the oven), with meats (perfect mix of salty and creamy), or just alone (warning: it will not fit into mouth whole). This particular burrata was enjoyed on a recent cold evening at Il Pizzaiuolo (Via dè Macci, 113), a delicious pizzeria in Florence where you can sample burrata alone or on a pizza.
This cheese changed my life and I have never had it taste quite the same in the states, so make it a priority to try while you’re in Italy!
We are accustomed to keeping business cards, tickets, napkins and every imaginable scrap from our travels. Some of our favorite finds we unearthed thanks to this extensive collection. But our efforts pale in comparison to those of our Guest Blogger, Jane’s. After spending the summer in Florence with Select Study Abroad, she put together what is nothing less than a work of art; a visual explosion of all the amazing memories from our summer together. Now, because we asked very very nicely, she has been so kind as to let us display this masterpiece. Below, see some of the amazing pages from her scrapbook with descriptions of the themes that inspired each one. Keep in mind that we are only seeing a small portion of what she made. It is a testament to an absolutely amazing summer that, thanks to her generosity, we can now enjoy as well! Thank you Jane!
It’s a fact. Florence lacks green space. Aside from the banks of the Arno and a handful of piazzas on the outskirts, there are hardly any trees to be found in the historic city center. I almost didn’t notice until well into my first year in Florence. Perhaps I was used to this void, having moved from another urban center (New York), or maybe I was just so distracted by the city’s stunning beauty (albeit of the less animate variety). I think it hit me when the urge for a picnic first took hold and I suddenly found myself at a complete loss for where to go to enjoy some grassy solitude within walking distance.