HOLIDAY COOKING CLASS (Online)
We make it...We cook it...We eat it!
Come and cook along with us in the comfort of your kitchen!
Making PANETTONE - Bake along ONLINE class
$35.00 - $55.00
Welcome to our PANETTONE making class, a full bake along class where we will be making Panettone TOGETHER, real time on Zoom.
During this class, I will guide you and show you all the steps to make an artisanal Panettone, while also sharing the history of this very popular Christmas sweet. All participants will be able to ask questions along as if we were in the same kitchen baking together.
For this class, students will have to pre-purchase their ingredients from their favorite source/store to bake along.
This recipe is suitable both for hand-kneading and/or using a Kitchen Aid.
The class will span over five zoom meetings across two days (Saturday and Sunday bake option) to enjoy a freshly baked panettone on Sunday morning. (Alternatively, you can bake choose the ONE-DAY option and complete the baking on your own).
1) Saturday 9am: Meeting 1: An introduction to the history of Panettone while making our "Sponge", (Approx. 30min-45min) (Then sponge goes to rest)
2) Saturday 11:30am: Meeting 2: Mixing the dough (About 1-1.5hr) (we will disconnect over resting time);
3) Saturday at: 5pm Meeting 3: Adding toppings and more kneading (About 1-1.5hr) (we will disconnect over resting time);
4) Sunday 9am: Meeting 4: Scoring and Baking, and Cooling (about 45min) (we will disconnect over baking time)
5) Sunday at 11:30am (OPTIONAL): Meeting 5: Share your final product (optional but highly encouraged)
In order to have a successful class, students commit to:
1) purchase all their ingredients beforehand (If you want to join the class but bake at a later time, you are still welcome to join us (there is no separate "watch only" ticket);
2) Have a reliable internet connection. The link to connect will be up 10 min prior. to class time. No troubleshooting will be done the day of the class.
3) Have fun. Nothing says more than "Christmas" than a beautiful Panettone. Make one for your family of more to gift them to friends.
Want to bake with a friend? Please make sure to purchase the "Family ticket" option.
RAVIOLI Making Class (Saturday Dec. 12th at 11am)
$35.00 - $55.00
Learn to make wonderful and delicious ravioli right in time for the holiday season.
In this class (ONLINE), I will be guiding you step by step class to prepare classic ravioli in a red sauce, spinach ravioli, and pumpkin ravioli in a butter & sage sauce.
You will receiving the ingredients list upon reserving your spot!
Got another person in the same kitchen cooking with you? Choose "Family ticket' upon check out
SPECIALTY and ARTISANAL PASTA - Weekend
Pasta Making (Multiple dates)
$65.00
Always wanted to know how to make homemade pasta like "nonna"?
In this class you'll learn how to prepare beautiful, fresh pasta the old-fashioned way accompanied by our "secret" red sauce and freshly made pesto. You will learn different techniques and shapes beyond the usual fettucine! Then, we will enjoy the fruit of our labor together.
Buon appetito a tutti!
CLASS is BYOB. This class typically lasts between 2-2.5hrs depending on the size of the class.
Class dates: Jan 12th, Feb. 9th, Mar. 8th, April 5th
FUSILLI Making (Multiple dates)
$65.00
Always wanted to make delicious homemade pasta and learn additional pasta shapes? This class will bring out the "Pasta Grannie" inside you!
After making our Fusilli/Garganelli, we will enjoy the fruit of our labor!
Class dates: Jan 12th, Feb. 9th, March 8th.
Class is BYOB
Class Sold out? Send us an email at: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net and we will add you to our waitling list and/or notify you about additional class dates.
RAVIOLI Making (Multiple dates)
$65.00
In this class you'll learn how to prepare beautiful ravioli with two colored doughs. Then, we will enjoy the fruit of our labor together. Don't worry, there will be plenty to take home!
Buon appetito a tutti!
Last class for 2019: Sunday Dec 15th at 11am
2020 Class dates: Sunday Jan. 19th, Sunday Feb. 16th, Sunday March 15th
Interested in this class but schedule doesn't work? Send us an email at: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net
We do small groups and private parties too!
GNOCCHI Making (Multiple dates)
$65.00
In this class you'll learn how to prepare beautiful fluffy potato gnocchi and if in season, we will make a second batch with purple potatoes. Then, we will enjoy the fruit of our labor together. Don't worry, there will be plenty to take home!
Buon appetito a tutti!
Class dates: Jan 26th,Feb. 17, Feb 23rd, Mar. 22nd, Apr. 19th
Interested in this class but schedule doesn't work? Send us an email at: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net
We do small groups and private parties too!
Orecchiette and eggs-free pasta (Weekend)
$65.00
"Orecchiette" or "Little ears" is a specialty from the region of Puglia. Learn how to make them along with "strascinati" like nonna does! This pasta does not contain eggs.
CLASS is BYOB.
Class dates: Oct 12th, Nov 9th, Dec 8th
Interested in a class but schedule doesn't work? Send us an email to: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net.
We offer small groups and private classes
Making TORTELLINI (Multiple dates)
$65.00
True to the tradition of Emilia, these meat-filled tortellini will have your guests ask for second, third and even fourth.
After making our Tortellini, we will enjoy the fruit of our labor! There will be plenty to take home.
Class dates: Feb. 9th,March 8th, April 5th
Class is BYOB
Class Sold out? Send us an email at: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net and we will add you to our waitling list and/or notify you about additional class dates.
Making Mozzarella (Multiple dates)
$65.00
If you love fresh mozzarella, you'll love this class! Come and see how mozzarella is made from milk and then have your hand at pulling it yourself!
After the class, we will all enjoy a nice Caprese salad with your freshly made mozzarella.
Class dates: Feb. 2nd, Mar. 1st, Mar. 29th, Apr. 26th.
Class SOLD OUT? No worries. Email us at: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net and will notify you about our next class!
Italian Street Food (Multiple dates)
$65.00
Come and celebrate with us two wonderful regions: Sicily and Lazio with their popular street foods: Arancini and Suppli. Which one will be your favorite?
Every participant will make and enjoy their culinary creations. Buon appetito!
Class dates: Feb. 2nd, Mar. 29th.
This class is BYOB
Class SOLD OUT? No worries. Email us at: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net and will notify you about our next class!
SWEETS TRADITIONS
Making Tiramisu' (Multiple dates)
$25.00 - $45.00
During this hands-on class, all participants will make their own Tiramisu' while learning about the origins and the variations of the most loved Italian dessert.
Class dates: Jan 26th, Feb. 23rd, Mar. 15th, Apr. 12th
Class sold out? No worries! Send us an email to: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net and we will notify you about cancellations or future class dates!
Class is BYOB
If you are ordering a Tiramisu' T-shirt, the T-shirt will be given the day of class.
Making PIZZELLE - Sunday Feb. 16th at 11am
$45.00
During this hands-on class, all participants will make their own pizzelle while learning about the origins and the variations of the most loved Italian "waffle cookies".
Buon appetito!
Class sold out? No worries! Send us an email to: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net and we will notify you about cancellations or future class dates!
Class is BYOB
Making CANNOLI & FRESH RICOTTA (Sunday Mar. 22nd at 11am)
$60.00
Nothing tastier than home made ricotta to be enjoyed right away and freshly made cannoli!
Making STRUFOLI - Sunday Mar. 22nd at 11am
$45.00
During this hands-on class, all participants will make their own strufoli in nice little gift bags while learning about the origins of this tradition".
Buon appetito!
Class sold out? No worries! Send us an email to: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net and we will notify you about cancellations or future class dates!
Class is BYOB
Let's make TORRONE (Italian Nougat) Sunday April 26th, 2020 (3pm)
$55.00
In this hands-on class, students will learn how to and make their delicious Italian Torrone (nougat). It will feel likeChristmas all over again!
We will use a variety of nuts. Class is BYOB
Class sold out? Send us an email at: mondoitaliano@earthlink.net and we will notify you of cancellations.
TIRAMISU' (Fitted T-shirt)
$25.00
The one and only TIRAMISU' Tshirt.
Ti Amo/I love you
TI-RAMISU'....well, no need for explanations here!
Recent News - A Taste of Italy right here in Pittsburgh_
A Taste of Italy Right Here in Pittsburgh By Emma Paulini From Asian markets in the Strip District to German food in Deutschtown, Pittsburgh is a cultural hub where people from all over the world visit, work, and live. Young people are also able to experience a little bit of Italy at Mondo Italiano Centro di Cultura Italiana. On August 17, campers attended a half day Italian cooking class in Edgewood to create mozzarella and mozzarella based dishes together. Throughout the summer and during the school year, Mondo Italiano runs half day cooking demonstrations, 10-week long courses, language classes, and more, in which children and adults cook, sing, play, and learn in Italian. Sampling Italian wafer cookies In 2003, Italian native Viviana Altieri founded Mondo Italiano, meaning “Italian World,” to create a welcoming place for Pittsburgh’s Italian community and anyone interested in Italian culture to gather, learn, and embrace the culture together. In addition, the organization runs group excursions to Italian exhibitions and festivals and even trips to Italy. They also provide translation and interpretation services in over 20 languages. Chopping cheese curd to make mozzarella While waiting for everyone to arrive, campers decorated chef hats and crafted necklaces out of penne pasta and beads. The group then headed outside to a little garden containing tomato and basil plants and picked basil leaves for use later in the class. Back inside the well-stocked and equipped kitchen, the kids sampled Italian wafer cookies as Viviana explained the plan for the day. The menu consisted of homemade mozzarella, pizza-like antipasti, and suppli al telefono. Suppli al telefono is a Roman finger food combining the words meaning “surprise” and “telephone.” A rice and tomato sauce mixture is filled with mozzarella, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried in oil. The result contains a melty, cheesy “surprise” that stretches and twirls from the center much like a telephone cord! Chefs at work, making mozzarella and suppli al telefono Stretching the Mozzarella After washing their hands and situating themselves at cutting boards, the young chefs mixed homemade tomato sauce with rice and eggs for the suppli while prepping for mozzarella making. Viviana explained two ways mozzarella cheese can be made. One method uses milk and rennet and a lot of chemistry to come out just right. In this class, the campers learned a second method using cheese curd. The kids chopped blocks of curd while Viviana taught them more of the process: pour boiling salted water over the curd and stir until the curd breaks down. Next, drain the curd and stir the pieces into clumps. Then, knead and fold the clumps to attain an elastic mozzarella texture. Mozzarella means “to choke”, and campers were shown how to squeeze the mixture through their fists and pinch it off, resulting in a delicious ball of mozzarella cheese. Cooking the suppli al telefono Some kids were experienced chefs, while others were new to cooking. Campers helped each other when they mastered a new skill. One camper, Diaz, talked about her enjoyment in cooking Italian food: “I did the pasta and pizza class before, which was also really fun.” Mondo Italiano’s cooking classes are capped at eight participants for safety and so that each camper can fully participate in all aspects of the cooking process. “It’s important to me that kids nowadays have the chance to explore,” Viviana said, and the hands-on experience of creating food themselves really allows that. Lydia, another returning camper, explained that languages and people from around the world interest her. She’s excited to participate in Mondo Italiano classes because she appreciates learning about cultures from far and wide. Once the cheese curds formed into mozzarella and the suppli was spooned piping hot out of the pan, everyone sampled their creations, munching and smiling over the mouthwatering treats they had prepared. “Buon appetito!” filled the air as campers tasted together, a warm community of budding chefs sharing a love of the Italian culture. Mondo Italiano’s community and learning environment allow kids to explore a special taste of the international flavor Pittsburgh offers. |
Buon Appetito: Heinz History Center Launches Healthy Heritage Cooking Series
By MARGARET J. KRAUSS • APR 30, 2013 As part of the Heinz History Center's Healthy Heritage Cooking Series, Viviana Altieri demonstrates to Pittsburgh Public School students how to make fried risotto balls called supplì. CREDIT MARGARET J. KRAUSS / 90.5 WESAThe Heinz History Center on Tuesday kicked off the Healthy Heritage Cooking Series, a three-month pilot program designed to introduce students to Italian, Syrian and Bulgarian cooking and connect health to history. Viviana Altieri, who directed an Italian cooking demonstration, is the executive director of Mondo Italiano, a local meet-up organization that promotes Italian language and culture. She said food traditions have always been important to mankind and that the Healthy Heritage series will broaden students’ cultural horizons. “It gives the kids exposure to other nationalities, other environments or recipes that otherwise they would not have come close to,” Altieri said. Sixth-grade students from Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8, having helped make and shape their own risotto balls — called supplì — looked on as Altieri took the final step of frying them in batches. “The secret about frying,” Altieri said, “is that you don’t want to overcrowd your pan. Otherwise the temperature is going to go down and it’s not going to make it crispy.” The students watched intently. In homage to supplì’s birthplace in Rome, some of the class wore costume centurion helmets. “That smells really good,” one girl whispered. Lauren Uhl, the Heinz History Center’s curator of food and fitness, said the cooking demonstrations serve as a vehicle for teaching children about more than just cuisine. “Food is such an accessible way to get to things like history and geography, so we thought this would really be great for kids,” Uhl said. She hopes the series will introduce students to personal histories as well as national histories. “This seemed like a perfect thing to get generations together, not only for us and for school kids, but hopefully they go home and ask their mom what their favorite recipe is or cook with their grandmother or something like that,” Uhl said, “start asking them family stories, ‘Where did you come from?’ ‘What were your family traditions?’ ‘What did you eat when you were growing up?’ Those are the kinds of things we’re hoping to spur.” Sarah Simko-Zeminski, the class’s teacher, said the Healthy Heritage Cooking Series allowed her to connect the history of the Pittsburgh region to something concrete. “As a history teacher I get, ‘That class is boring,’ you know, ‘We’re always reading,’" Simko-Zeminski said, "and this is a really good way for my kids to see that history is real and that these things exist, and there’s a reason why we learn about this stuff.” The room’s noise level ebbed as the class tried their handiwork. Supplì were deemed delicious, and some even ventured to say they were going to try to make them at home. As the class gathered for a photo, Altieri asked, “What do we say in Italian before we eat?” “Buon appetito!” the class roared back. |