Steak Braciole

On June 21, 2017June 22, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy, Recipes3 Comments

When most people think of Italian food, they generally think of pasta, red sauces, and pizza, but there is much more to the rich gastronomical heritage of Italy. We enjoyed a wonderful variety of food during our time in Italy, so we thought that we would attempt to create a different style of Italian food for ourselves. Braciole is a thin steak that is stuffed with bread crumbs, vegetables, cheese, and then rolled to create a pinwheel of flavor. We adapted our recipe from one that we saw Chef Jeff Mauro cook on an episode of a television show. It has so much flavor and made for a wonderful dinner for the two of us.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb Thinly Cut or Butterflied Top Round or Strip Steak (We used top round steak)
1/2 cup Bread Crumbs
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
2 cloves Garlic – minced
4 to 6 oz Fresh Mozzarella Cheese – sliced
1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
16 Asparagus Stalks – cut to width
Salt and Pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Blanch the asparagus by boiling or steaming them for about two to three minutes and then shocking them in an ice bath. If necessary, butterfly the steak and then pound out until about an eighth of inch thin. Season the steak with salt and pepper on both sides. Combine the bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic, and olive oil in a small bowl. Place the mozzarella cheese onto the steak, leaving about an inch perimeter all of the way around. Cover with the bread crumb mixture and then place the asparagus on the steak leaving about a half inch in between each stalk. Roll the steak as tightly as possible and then tie it with butcher twine. Sear the steak on all four sides for about three minutes per side in a skillet with olive oil at medium-high heat. Place the steak in a 250 degree oven for about forty minutes or until the desired temperature. Remove the butcher twine and cut the steak into about one inch pinwheels. If desired, serve with a sauce such as your favorite tomato sauce, but it can be served as is.

Steak with Cheese and Bread Crumb Mixture

Piazzale Michelangelo

On May 22, 2017May 22, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy15 Comments

When visiting Florence, Italy, taking the time to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo is an absolute must. There is obviously the bronze replica of Michelangelo’s statue of David, but the real reason is the see the breathtaking views of the city. From the square, there are panoramic views of everything from the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, to the hillsides outside of Florence.

We were there during the off-season, so the crowds were light, but we can only imagine how crowded the square must be during the summer. There are plenty of vendors selling food and souvenirs as well as a full service restaurant where you can sit down and enjoy a nice glass of wine. Florence is one of the most beautiful, old-world cities and seeing it from the piazza really allows you to fully appreciate how stunning it truly is.

It is not an easy walk to reach the Piazzale Michelangelo, but it is more than worth the effort. Seeing Florence from the heights above the city was definitely a highlight of our visit. Of course we enjoyed walking the narrow streets, looking up at the Duomo, and seeing the amazing architecture up close, but seeing the whole city at once was even more spectacular. Everyone visiting Florence should definitely put this on their itinerary.

Luxurious Stay in Rome

On May 12, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy5 Comments

Since our trip to Italy was the last of our six-month stay in Europe, we decided to treat ourselves to a little bit of luxury while we were in Rome. We stayed at the Lifestyle Suites Rome, which has suites that overlook Piazza Navona. Our room was absolutely beautiful with Swarovski chandeliers. It was also located close to all of the attractions and there were plenty of wonderful restaurants within walking distance.

Every evening we were treated to turn down service and slippers placed next to our comfortable, king-size bed. We also received sweets, fresh fruit, and cheese when we ordered a bottle of wine for our room. On our last night, we were given a pastry with frosting and chocolate shavings that was quite delicious. Every morning we were able to order a fresh cooked breakfast or choose from items on the buffet. Since there are only eight suites in the hotel, there was never a crowd and we felt like we were being personally pampered.

Probably our favorite feature of our suite, which was the Tempesta Suite, was the hot tub for two with waterfall and chromotherapy. After a long day of visiting all of the tourist sites that Rome has to offer, it was very relaxing to put on some soothing music using the remote controls and enjoy a glass of wine while soaking our tired muscles. With the wonderful views of the piazza, all of the amenities, and the gracious staff, it would have been easy to sleep in and stay in our room all day, but there is just too much to see in Rome to indulge ourselves that way.

We don’t often treat ourselves to such extravagant surroundings when travelling since you don’t normally spend too much time in the hotel room, but this was well worth the expense. Whenever we return to Rome, we will definitely come back to the Lifestyle Suites Rome, it was one of the best hotel experiences that we have ever enjoyed. We tended to stay at the hotel group that we have loyalty points with during our time in Europe, but we were glad that we decided to select something different for our time in Rome.