Cooking with Coley

Amazing.  That’s the perfect way to describe my evening.  I attended the first event of my new blogging gig for The Food Passport.  The featured chef was Marisa Iocco, and I had the pleasure and truly magnificent experience of watching her cook, interviewing her at the same time and then tasting some of her delicious menu.  I won’t give away too many details because I’ll save them for The Food Passport later this week, but I’d like to share a few of my favorite moments, surprises and learnings of the evening…

• A highlight of the menu was the Burrata provided by Mozzarella House.  Local and hand-made, this one-of-a-kind Italian cheese contains both mozzarella and cream creating an unusually soft texture and a buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. Side note – you can find Mozzarella House’s hand-made cheese fresh at Russo’s – my favorite local market.
• Garlic is not overly used in Italian cuisine.  Seriously you ask? Yes, according to Iocco, over-abundance of garlic is an Americanized Italian practice.  I am definitely a casualty of this culinary falsehood…
• Good news healthy pals, even real Italian chefs serve whole wheat pasta!  Yes, Iocco served delicious homemade whole wheat pasta tossed in her arrabbiata sauce, part of her Food With Love line of products.

Set in the luxurious kitchen studios at Poggenpohl on Newbury Street, the event’s ambiance of modern kitchen design paired with the classic, yet modern Italian cuisine was inspiring from start to finish – a breath of fresh air into my daily routine.

As I sit on my couch tonight, my mind keeps wandering back to the aroma of the fresh basil, the laughter and excitement in the room and the energy and “love” exuding from Iocco and her kitchen.  Can someone please remind me why I have to go back to the office tomorrow?

Learn more about Iocco and meet her yourself at The Food Passport’s next event: Food Tour at Spiga.