I got it! I'm in!

" You may have the universe if I may have Italy."

- Guiseppe Verdi

So, I found out yesterday that I am going to Italy. I couldn't believe it. In fact I don't think I told anyone back home for about an hour after I heard. And it was just one person. And then a little while later I told another, and then one more. But now it's out...and I am so happy.
I thought I would tell a little bit more of what this experience is all about!
Some of the cool things that I will be apart of:

• planting of gardens (Petraia focuses on organic and biodynamic gardening!!!)
• maintenance of vineyards and gardens
• slaughtering and butchering of courtyard animals and game (those who know my fascination with butchery know how excited I am about this part!!)
• they have cooking classes for visiting tourists and interns are responsible for setting up certain aspects of that
• dinner service prep
• visiting different Italian markets!!!

There are many other things but these are some that really pop out. Now that I know I am going there is so many more things that need to get done...visas...tickets...but it's been nice in these last 24 hours to just realize what is happening. It is a dream come true and proof that they do come true...even some of the craziest ones.

Just like I promised...Orange Supreme

The name itself makes me feel good...eating anything with the word 'supreme' in it has to do your body good! The definition of supreme in the dictionary means "of the highest quality, degree, character, importance, etc". Now add a beautiful, juicy, orange to that...and you have something supreme...and delicious. This is my new favorite way to eat any citrus fruit, it's easy and somehow makes the fruit taste even better (it's the name, isn't?).
So, if anyone is interested in giving it a try here are some easy steps to achieving orange supreme:

First, you need an orange, a grapefruit, or any citrus fruit. Here is my orange. Oh, and grab yourself a paring knife, too.

Then slice off both ends of the orange. Now, don't slice off to much, you just want to expose the tops of all the segments.

Now, the aim of the game is to take the skin and pith (the white stuff) off without taking too much flesh off and without leaving too much pith on. So, the first cut will always take of the most. Try and guide your knife around the orange.


Okay, so here is the first cut. You'll notice quite a bit of flesh is coming off...just keep going. The second cut is easier as you can see the curve of the pith and follow it better.



Okay, see look at that. It's easier, isn't it?


So, the first part is done...now comes the segmenting. You'll need a bowl to catch the drips and that paring knife that is so handy.


So, here is the naked orange, hold it in you palm like so.


Now, you are going to insert your blade between a segment and its separator, making one cut, but not all the way through. Kinda like what you would do to a grapefruit half when you separate the triangles.

Insert your blade on the other side of the segment between itself and the separator. Now, while your blade is in there you are going to twist it slightly so the segment 'pops' out. It's just a 1/4 of a turn and the segment should come loose.
Just like that!

Now continue to do this with the whole orange until all that you are left with is the separators. Before throwing this out give it a good squeeze to get all that yummy o.j. out!

And now you can say that you have supreme-ed an orange! Trust me this will be the highlight of your breakfast, dessert, or snack time!

Oh, and please if this doesn't quite work out the first time keep trying, you'll get it!