Private Italian Cooking and Language Class

Saturday night, I led a private Italian Cooking & Language Class for six adults. We met at one student’s home and cooked a four course meal while learning the words for the objects we were using and food we were cooking. There were lots of laughs, eating and new phrases being spoken.

Here’s the menu we followed:

Antipasto: Frittata con le zucchine


Primo piatto: Spaghetti dell’ubriacone


Secondo piatto: Saltimbocca alla romana con spinaci


Dolce: Cannoli

The recipes came from a variety of sources. The Frittata and the Saltimbocca came from the Silver Spoon cookbook. The antipasto (appetizer) was a sliced zucchini omelet and the second piatto (meat dish) was a veal dish. Saltimbocca is veal rolled with fresh sage and prosciutto cooked in a white wine sauce. The name of the meat dish relates to its tastiness - “saltare” means “to jump” and “bocca” means “mouth.” Therefore, the dish is tasty enough to jump directly into your mouth!

The primo piatto (pasta dish) is based on a dish served at Osteria dei Benci in Florence, Italy. To prepare it, a bottle of inexpensive wine is reduced and then garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil are added. The cooked spaghetti is mixed into the sauce, which it absorbs, and is then garnished with grated cheese, red pepper flakes and olive oil.

The student who invited her friends for the lesson is moving to Italy next month. (I’m jealous!) This lesson allowed her to get more comfortable with the language and help her friends to learn a bit before their visits.

The best part of a private Italian Cooking and Language Class is that it helps to make a possibly daunting task – learning a new language – fun and community based. Together, everyone works on the language, cooks and eats. What’s better than that?

If you are interested in arranging a private Italian Cooking and Language Class, please contact me directly at chloemiller(at)gmail(dot)com. We will develop the menu together and I will create a language lesson appropriate for your needs, interests and level. Usually, the classes are held in your home and last three hours. I will provide the recipes and handouts.

Buon Appetito!