Homemade Chocolate

Homemade Chocolate.

The Mayans were the first civilization to cultivate the cocoa tree called Xocoatl. It is part of the Mayan and Aztec legends that the cocoa bean was a gift from the Gods. Cocoa beans were so important in Mayan civilization, they were also used as currency. I can understand why. When you stop eating commercial chocolate and replace it with homemade chocolate from pure cacao butter and cacao powder, you really begin to appreciate the purity of this substance.

Instead of presenting your loved one with store-bought chocolates for a special occasion, why don't you make him or her some original treats? Chocolate is actually quite simple to make at home, and you can customize them to create unique flavor combinations. Learn how to make simple chocolate candies, chocolate truffles, or homemade chocolate bars.

We've put together a collection of chocolate recipes we think you'll enjoy. Some are very simple, others may be challenging but the results are worth it. It's always a good time to play with chocolate!

Homemade Limoncello

Homemade Limoncello.

If you have ever been to Italy, you'll instantly know about Limoncello. Lemons seem to be one of the important staples in the food of Sorrento. The most famous product is Limoncello. Every store or restaurant has it’s unique or favorite brand of Limoncello for sale or to taste. It is wonderful as a palate cleanser or as an after dinner drink. Limoncello is the generic name for an Italian citrus-based lemon liqueur that is served well chilled in the summer months. Limoncello is now considered the  national drink of Italy and can be found in stores and restaurants all over Italy. 

Keep your bottles of Limoncello in the freezer until ready to serve. The ingredients are simple and few, and making a batch doesn't require much work, but you'll need some time. In most recipes, Limoncello must steep for (80) eighty days. 

History: It has long been a staple in the lemon-producing region along the Italian Amalfi Coast in Capri and Sorrento. The Amalfi Coast is known for its citrus groves and narrow winding roads. Authentic Limoncello is made from Sorrento lemons, which come from the Amalfi Coast. Families in Italy have passed down recipes for this for generations, as every Italian family has their own Limoncello recipe.

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It has taken me far too long to discover how amazing — and how astoundingly easy — it is to make my own limoncello. I had this hazy idea that limoncello must be a closely guarded secret kept by a sect of weathered Italian grandfathers with wooly driving caps and secretive, knowing smiles. Just me? Well, it turns out all you need to make truly incredible limoncello are some good lemons, a bottle of stiff vodka, and just a little patience.

Limoncello is smooth and sweet with an intense lemon flavor. It can be sipped on its own, mixed into sparkling water, or shaken into cocktails. Limoncello can range from very sweet to super tart and citrusy — as the maker of the limoncello, that's something that you get to decide. Lucky you.

To make it, we're simply infusing lemon peels into vodka. No distilling or secret ingredients required. After letting the peels and vodka mingle for anywhere from a few days to a month, it's strained, mixed with sugar syrup, chilled — and just like that, we have the limoncello that many of us fell in love with on our first sip years ago.

What Alcohol to Use?
If you have the option, 100 proof vodka or even higher-proof grain alcohol is the very best to use for making limoncello. This will extract more and better lemon flavor from the peels, and makes a smoother, less cloying limoncello.

This said, 80 proof vodka is also fine to use — it's also easier to find and less expensive than 100 proof. If you use 80 proof vodka, you won't need to add as much sugar syrup after infusing the vodka.

What Lemons to Use?
Standard lemons are just fine for making limoncello, though I do recommend buying organic lemons. Since non-organic lemons are usually coated with wax, you'll get a better extraction from organic lemons. Plus, alcohol will pull everything from those peels, including any pesticides or insecticides used on the lemons.

If you have access to them, Meyer lemons make a superb limoncello. You can also branch out into other citrus fruits like grapefruits, oranges, and tangerines.

We're only using the lemon peels for this project. I've found it easiest to remove the peels with a vegetable peeler, but you can also use a microplane or a zester. Just try to get the skin alone and as little pith as possible. With the leftover lemons, you can make a batch of lemonade!

How Long to Infuse?
Infuse your lemon peels and vodka for at least 4 days or up to a month. Most of the lemon flavor is extracted in those first few days, but you'll also get a stronger, bolder flavor the longer you let it sit.

How Much Sugar?
Start with a simple syrup made of 1 cup of sugar dissolved in 1 cup of water — start here whether you used 100 proof or 80 proof vodka. Add this to the infused vodka, taste, and add more simple syrup to taste.

You can play with the ratios of water to sugar here, all the way up to 4 cups of water with 4 cups of sugar and anything in between. More water will dilute the alcohol base, making a less alcoholic, milder, and smoother-sipping liqueur. More sugar will make a sweeter limoncello.

Is It Safe?
Absolutely! The alcohol prevents any mold or other bacteria from growing on the fruit. Once strained, the limoncello can be kept in the freezer for at least a year, and likely much longer. If your limoncello is over a year old, discard it if it tastes off or you see any mold growing in the bottle.

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Help Us Keep Our Heritage Alive!

Who can be a member?

• Anyone can become a member of the group "Piccola Italia".

The "Piccola Italia" membership benefits includes but are not limited to:
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b) participation to our private activities
c) participation to courses and club lessons
d) special discounts for restaurants, shops and other business partners

Our mission is to promote an appreciation of Italian language and culture through social engagement. We help people with a strong interest in Italy connect with one another, both online and in person.  Membership is FREE and we're open to all levels of Italian language from zero to native fluency.

It doesn't cost any money to be a member! Many of the events cost money (food, drinks, admission, etc.) which is why you can pick and choose which ones you attend. Some of our events are spendy, and some are free! Keep in mind that the organizers do have to pay dues to run this group. If you have a good time and can donate few bucks, please do. It goes a long way to help cover the costs of running the meetup group.

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Homestays: A Student Accommodation Alternative.

In an increasingly interconnected and globalized world, a growing number of people are travelling overseas to study at university, complete language courses, pursue internships or merely for tourism.  For all these types of traveler, homestays provide an affordable and attractive accommodation option – especially for those searching for short- to medium-term student accommodation.

Many students choose homestay accommodation for the first few months of their time abroad, as an affordable base from which to start getting settled. But, looking more closely at the features of homestays, this option has much more to offer than just a budget place to rest your head.

What is homestay accommodation?

Homestay accommodation can best be described as “a home away from home experience”.  More specifically, homestays are normal homes, which open their doors to accommodate people looking for short- to medium-term accommodation.

If you choose homestay accommodation, you can expect to be treated as part of the family – eating, socializing and relaxing with members of the household. You will have your own bedroom and access to communal areas around the house, such as the lounge and garden.

Homestays are also often referred to as “host families”. However, they are not necessarily families in the most traditional sense. Hosts can be single people, young couples, married couples with or without children, and even retired pensioners.

What are the benefits of homestay accommodation?

So, why should you choose a homestay for the first weeks of your time studying abroad? Some of the benefits of homestay accommodation include:

1. Affordability

Let’s first consider costs. Take London, for example – a popular international destination for students. Generally speaking, accommodation in London is not cheap. A basic/average hotel will charge around £75-£100 (US$115-150) per night and much private-sector accommodation does not offer short-term stays (less than six months). By contrast, at the time of writing, accommodation with a host family in London starts from £120 ($185) per week. 

So homestays provide a high-quality yet relatively cheap alternative to booking a hotel or hostel. This gives international students time to settle in, and search for longer term accommodation while already in the area, rather than having to find somewhere to rent long-term while still outside the country.

2. Convenience

Although homestays are not hotels, host families generally provide essential services such as washing clothes, changes of bed linen and a selected meal plan. Meal plans can include Self-Catering (full access to the kitchen), Bed & Breakfast (prepared breakfast and some independent use of the kitchen) and Half Board (breakfast and evening meal provided). Half board options are very popular for students attending schools or universities during the day – an easy way to make sure you eat well!

In most countries, regulatory bodies provide a set of standards to which homestays should adhere. For example, in the UK, the British Council stipulates that hosts must provide one load of washing a week, the room must be adequately heated and lit, and the homestay must be a clean and hygienic household. Before choosing a homestay, it is important to make sure it adheres to national regulatory standards. 

3. Flexibility

Homestays are a very flexible option. The individual is not tied into a six-month break clause; the minimum stay period is usually between 1-2 weeks. So students are able to test the water before making any long-term decisions about their accommodation. If the student is comfortable with the host, s/he can choose to stay longer. Alternatively, if the student has made friends and wishes to move into a shared house, this would also be possible.

4. Immersion in the local culture

Homestays provide the opportunity to experience everyday life in a new place, getting insights into the local culture. Host families are usually an excellent source of advice or information, able to provide indispensable tips on transport, local hang-outs and practical essentials (emergency contact numbers, local amenities etc). Talking to your host family is also an ideal way to develop language skills if needed.

After having spent time in a homestay, many people stay in contact with their hosts and end up developing lasting friendships.

All in all, whether you are just looking for a cheaper student accommodation option or searching for a safe and comfortable way to start life in a new country, homestays are a fantastic option.