I seem to be writing about our travels in random order, so you’ve seen the Isle of Capri.. but Sorrento will have to wait for another day. Today I’d like you to escape with me to Rome. (Wouldn’t a blogging conference in Italy be just the best?!) We arrived in Rome by train, unpacked and went straight to the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. The last time I tossed a coin in the fountain was in my 20’s.. not much has changed (grin, except maybe me) which is truly the most astounding concept. We reflected on factories and bridges that have collapsed in recent news.. and yet these stunning masterpieces of architecture were made without the benefit of tools and technology and still stand majestically centuries later.
And then there’s the art..
This was one of our absolute favorite cities to visit because it is so steeped in art and history.. turn any corner and you are surrounded by ancient ruins. The Forum and Coliseum tour was a favorite. If you decide to visit, make sure you spend the extra dollars and book a tour ahead of time to “skip the lines”.. I was shocked at the long lineups that extended for blocks. We were also able to go underground and up on top of the Coliseum, places where general admission wouldn’t allow you to visit.
I think the Forum touched me most, for this was the hub of a community long ago. To walk along the same paths that others once did was a moving experience.
Being a lover of writing and words.. I was mesmerized by blocks of chiseled lettering.
We turned so many corners.. wandered down roads that led in the opposite direction of the one intended. Roads there are like the spokes of a wheel, take the wrong street and you rapidly head north instead of the intended southerly direction. Apart from one momentous “ramble” where we walked for an few hours only to end up where we’d begun, getting lost in Rome was part of the fun. Walking on uneven cobblestone roads provided more than enough of a work-out which was a great thing after indulging in basket upon basket of bread, plates of pasta, bottles of wine and the gelato that just had to be sampled almost every second day.
Every shop had its signature flavors. I was hoping to try them all but was defeated;)
I determined then and there that I simply must master making my own gelato once I was back in Smidge’s kitchen.
It didn’t appear too difficult, gelato just has a lower fat content than ice cream and is served at a warmer temperature so that flavors are enhanced and it can be scooped easily.
One of the challenges faced when making gelato at home is the resulting icy grains that can occur due to the low fat content a few days later, so I’m hoping this one turns out as it should. I will add a note later tonight after it is shared at our friend’s dinner party. Straight out of the machine.. it’s perfect!
A flavor that caught my eye in Rome was White Peach with Lavender.. so there wasn’t any question which flavor I would try making first. It didn’t disappoint.. I kept saying it reminded me of pie.. and my daughter suggested Peach Cobbler…
White Peach and Lavender Gelato
- 1 lb peaches (abt 5, 2" diameter)
- 1 tbsp cooking lavender
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- Score an x on the bottom of each peach. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and set aside a bowl of ice water. Dip each peach into the boiling water for 30 seconds then remove and plunge immediately into ice water. Remove, slide the skin off and set aside. Repeat with the remaining peaches.
- Pit and coarsely chop the peaches. Pour out the water and add the peach chunks to the saucepan. Stir in the 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar. Using a mortar and pestle, crush the lavender and stir into the peach mixture. Bring to a simmer, cooking for about 10 minutes or until the peaches are softened. Allow the peaches to cool then puree in a food processor. Strain through a fine-meshed sieve to remove bits of lavender and any fibers from the peaches. Cool to room temperature or refrigerate overnight.
- Add the whole milk and cream to a large saucepan. Heat on medium temperature until the edges of the milk begin to slightly bubble. Meanwhile, whip 1/4 cup sugar and 4 egg yolks in a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat until light and frothy.
- Once the milk and cream has heated, with the mixer running on low, slowly pour in about 1/4 cup of the warm milk mixture into the yolk mixture. Use a small measuring cup and pour down the side of the metal mixing bowl to allow the milk to cool as it is added. Continue to gradually incorporate all of the milk.
- Once blended, pour the egg yolk and milk mixture back into the saucepan. Heat on medium temperature until it just begins to thicken, coats the back of a wooden spoon, or begins to gel a bit. Remove from heat and strain through a fine sieve to remove any bits of egg. Cool completely or refrigerate overnight.
- Combine together the peach mixture and the milk mixture thoroughly. Pour into an ice cream machine and turn on as instructed for your machine. My machine is quite small so I divided the batch into two portions, cleaning and freezing the ice cream/gelato mixer container between batches.
♥
A note…
I can’t thank all of you enough for taking the time to write such lovely words of support.
Grieving is a difficult road and with the passage of time we have begun to heal. Having friends and family support made all the difference and so I must apologize for not responding to you right away and “going off the grid”. Intuitively I will always be an introvert when facing life’s challenges and so I typically just withdraw. In my quiet place I write and process the changes that have taken place and when I begin reworking how the future will look going forward, I know that healing has begun.
Although to some he was only a dog, for us he was a family member. His passing for me was also like the end of an “era” where our children were still young children and innocent chaos reigned in the household. Time will always bring change and I seem to have become so much less tolerant of it, I don’t roll with the punches like I used to. Lucky played such a huge role in what I calculated must be 1,000’s of small, every day routines. These routines now have to be rewritten and that’s what has made this so difficult. Thank you for reminding us to embrace these memories of Lucky, it truly is his best gift to us.
We loved Rome! Especially the Masi Amarone 🙂
Great pictures of Rome and I bet the gelato tasted good 😉
Love Roma! My favourite place ever, I’ve been there five times already, and longing to go back.
Darling girl you know that we all understand about grieving. taking your time with it is a clever thing to do. It is a flux time. And adjustment time and often this is best done quietly. I have a wee challenge for you if you feel like a distraction. Over at the kitchens garden we are taking pictures from our own back door steps, and i am making posts of them. Would you like to join in. All you have to do is take a shot from the back door and send it to me, so we can see what you see, some people have made posts and just sent me the link or sent me the image in a biggish file to my email. Either way is fine. I will do all the rest and link the shot back to you .. however if you are not up to it yet not a problem, the challenge is open forever and anytime is fine.. take good care honey and now I am off to look at that gelato recipe again, I have a peach tree that is looking very promising for this year! celi
I have always wanted to visit Rome so when did you say the blogging conference in Italy is on? Oh that would be fantastic and you could give us a personal class on your beautiful gelato. 😀
Have a beautiful week ahead Smidge.
🙂 Mandy xo
So sorry about Lucky, Smidge. I know what you mean about rolling with the punches.
How fabulous to find you in Rome! I’m a little out of touch as I’ve been to Poland and then Portugal. I can hardly believe that I’ve never been to Rome or Florence. (Capri, yes, so I’ll go there next) Dearly would I love to, but for now I’ll content myself with your lovely photos. How did you snaffle the gelato recipe, and how have you found the willpower not to eat gelato daily? 🙂
It’s such early days yet to deal with the big Lucky shaped hole in your heart and your life. Take it slowly, it’s not easy. Soon you’ll remember the happy times and smile.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos of Rome. I used to go every year until I was 18 on our way south to Calabria every summer to visit the family. Such happy, happy memories. I haven’t been for years (why not, why not?!) but until I do go again, I’ll enjoy making your beautiful gelato. Take care x
Excellent photos of Rome – excellent!. I miss that city!
Your trip sounds as if it was lovely. The photos are a real treat. Being able to make your own gelato must help to hold onto the memories of the trip.
Barbara, there is no such thing as just a dog. Lucky was a member of your family, and always will be because he will always be in your heart. I understand what you mean by the era…when we lost our golden Lab it was just as I was about to turn 18 so it felt like my childhood was ending with him. Similarly, when we lost our black Lab, we had had him ever since I was 18 so it felt like my whole adult life he’d been with us and suddenly he wasn’t. I wish I could tell you something that would make things so much easier for you. But as painful as it is knowing what has happened, at least every time you remember Lucky you are keeping him close by and keeping his memory alive. xxx
Lovely post with my 3 favourite things. Italy. Gelato. Doggies
Those are wonderful photos! They are making me want to travel there! 🙂
Oh my gosh, so much beauty and history! Can’t wait to visit Rome one day, thank you for sharing!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I haven’t been to Rome but I really do want to get there. So much history and so much of it still standing. They built things so much better back then than we do today. I love the look of your peach and lavender gelato. I’m missing peaches already and their season has only just finished. My two elderly girls don’t have that much time left either. It’s so sad and I don’t understand why their lives can’t be longer. I know I’ll be lost without them when their time comes. I’ll miss them greeting me when I walk in, sitting with me on the couch, jumping up on my bed in the morning and talking to them. I talk to them all day long. I can imagine it will take a long time to adjust to Lucky’s absence. Such a sad time for you, Smidge xx
First off – there is no such thing as “just a dog”. They are rightful members of the family… they give and receive love, have needs, we care for them and as you said they are a part of the routine. It’s a process to let go.
As for Rome. I love that city. I loved eating pizza, gelato and most of all porchetta from the market. I hope to take a trip there with my husband. Wonderful city. x wt
This post has me CRAVING a vacation! I love all these photos and the stories that go with them! Also that gelato..YUM! I hope things are getting easier as time goes on with the loss of Lucky! Still sending prayers your way! <3
Wonderful tour of Rome followed by a perfect dessert. I feel like I’ve had a perfect day,except that I have only just got up:)
Beautiful post, Barbara! As always, I am so impressed by the masterful photography and amazing recipe of yours. That white peach and lavender gelato of yours is a tough competition for the Italians. 😉
Smidge, whether is a family member or man’s best friend losing your buddy hurts. Hugs coming your way. I am glad you took all of those nice photos of Rome so we could enjoy the lovely art. I have been to Italy twice and still have not been there but I figured Rome will always be there. I love your refreshing twist on gelato. Oh my goodness that flavor combination sounds phenomenal. I know, I know like you did not eat enough gelato while you were in Italy.. on every street corner… LOL Take Care, BAM
Thanks for taking me along on your tour of Rome. I am hoping to make it there one day. Gorgeous photos as usual.
Summer peaches should be here in a few months, have to make this gelato.
Amazing photos and wonderful gelato!
It looks like you had a wonderful time in Europe Barbara, and what a lovely way to remember such a beautiful time…gelato. I am indeed intrigued by the flavour you’ve chosen, it sound absolutely delightful.
First, Smidge. I somehow missed your post about the loss of your precious “sous chef” puppy, and i’m so sorry. My goodness but these little friends leave us bereft for quite a while. Hugs to you all…
And your photos of rome are so gorgeous! I feel like I was right there. I have always heard that the city has transformational power for those who soak up the history and reflect upon the people who roamed those ancient streets. And good for you for following the inspiration of the famed gelato! When the fresh peaches hit our farmer’s market, I’ll be so eager to try this recipe. It will undoubtedly become a favorite. 🙂 ox
Trust you, Barbara, to be able to write so beautifully about these iconic Italian places and round it off with a delicious gelato recipe. Thank you. Another wonderful post.
I can never get enough of Rome…thanks for the trip back and wonderful memories. Barb, your gelato looks amazing — wish I could grab a taste right now 🙂
Thank you so much for taking me back to my favorite European city Smidge. I love, love, love Rome. The fountain has one of my coins in there as well. The wish came true I’m happy to report. I’m going to have to try and make gelato this summer. How fun will that be! And the kids will love it. 🙂
Oh, those white peaches look fantastic!
Lovely postcard from Rome, so many years since I was there now – in the late 70’s. I got very mixed feelings about the city … we didn’t totally agree, but I wouldn’t mind go back and give it another chance.
Love the your photos of the gelato and the peaches, especially the peeled ones. I can’t handle lavender in food, give me a full field of it to look at and smell instead.
I understand the lost – and it will take the time it takes .. and we all handle grief in different ways.
Wonderful to have you back .. when it suits you.
Looks like you had a lovely trip. And it appears you’ve mastered gelato!
Beautiful photos, Barbara!!
This sounds so wonderful! I have been intrigued with the use of lavendar in ice cream since seeing the movie “It’s Complicated”. This recipe is on my ‘must make this’ for summer. The peach/lavendar combination sounds divine! Yum!
This post and your beautiful photos brought back some wonderful memories, Barb. WHen I go back to Rome, it won’t be to see all of the sights. Been there, done that. I just want to walk around, stop in a church, maybe take in a museum, sit in a piazza at lunch … Have a fantastic meal somewhere and finish the day with a tasty gelato. Well, I may be a few thousand miles from Rome but I can finish off my day with this delicious gelato of yours. Thanks for sharing both this recipe and a bit more of your trip.
I’m loving these travel posts Smidge! I feel like I’m right there with you 🙂 Rome seems like such a beautiful place steeped in rich history. Lovely pictures ~
Now about that gelato…I love white peaches & I love lavender! Guess what I’ll be making soon? I’ve never been able to master gelato (always got the grainy ice crystals) so I look forward to making this!
I’m glad you’re back. i’ve missed you too! xx
Smidge, I’m sorry for your loss. I do hope that coping gets easier by day.big hugs!
Your photos of rome are so lovely. I enjoyed the forum a lot myself.. esp when you imagine walking through the landscape in a long forgotten era.
Love the idea of the peach and lavender gelato. It sounds fantastic. I would love to give that a try.
This gelato sounds absolutely wonderful! Fragrant peaches paired with gentle lavender sounds like a dream.
What lovely pictures of Rome. I do hope to get there some day. And… my sympathies on Lucky’s passing.
Ah, Rome! We spent 4 heavenly days there at the end of our honeymoon in Greece. It’s the only part of Italy I’ve been to so far, but I did see all of the places you’ve pictured here. So much to see there, and so much gelato to taste! I love the sound of your white peach and lavender. May have to try this one when our peaches come in.
Hi Smidge, I’m rereading your blog posts on Italy.. I am thinking of a trip to Rome and the Amalfi coast, Sorrento, Capri later in the year. Do you have any foodie finds you care to share? would be great!
thanks,
Jo
In Sorrento we loved the Fauno, right in center square. If you stand facing it on the left corner is another great restaurant with lots of salads. We were so stuffed with pasta, we were looking to eat healthier by the time we got to Sorrento, lol. Restaurant Da Fillipo was a great family style, casual dining, great food. They will pick you up from your restaurant for free which is always great.Don Alfonso is a very pricey gourmet restaurant. It takes quite a drive just to get there. There is a pairing menu, etc. that was excellent. I blogged about it in Re-Covering Footstools and Balance post. In Rome we just ate at so many random place while out walking because it was the end of our trip. My absolute favorite was a family owned little place we stumbled upon that was just past the coliseum called da Domenico. It was authentic Italian, family run and outstanding. I’d look for that place again if I ever go back. There wasn’t a tourist in sight.. except for us of course:D Have an awesome time!!
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