Being Adventurous

I've never been one to seek out fast rides or ridiculous heights for adventure.  My first (and last) roller coaster was one in dallas my ex boyfriend made me go on during a school band trip.  It (and being up 26 stories high) was one, if not the, most scary experiences in my life.  In 5th grade I refused to go up into the St. Louis arch (I guess elevators that travel at an angle freak me out?), so I waved to my family from the ground.  For my brother's 21st birthday he wants to go skydiving...I don't think I can even watch him.

The Titan

At the risk of sounding like a completely boring person -- I do enjoy adventure; it's just my kind of adventure.  I love to travel (although being on a plane..completely different story :) ), but I've realized that I feel the most adventurous when I'm learning or trying something foreign.  I've been blessed with 3 different trips to Europe -- and the experiences I've had have really made me catch the 'travel bug'.  I hope to someday save enough to visit many more countries.  Luckily, two of my trips were to the homeland:  Italia. 

I was feeling adventurous this weekend and decided to try out a recipe from my f.ood n.etwork magazine..homemade potato gnocchi.  I later found out it was quite a process, but it was well worth the effort & "benissimos" I would have probably received from my ancestors.

I started by baking 3 big potatoes in the oven for an hour.  While the potatoes were still hot I skinned them, ran them through a ricer, and then let them cool in the fridge.  After they cooled I took them out and with 2 eggs and some parmesan cheese I created a dough.  I divided up the dough, rolled it into a log, and then cut it into small 'pillow' like dumplings.  These got thrown into boiling water and when they floated to the top they were done!  They're basically like a light and airy dumpling that can be used as a pasta.  I made a mushroom tomato sauce to go with the gnocchi.  And for dessert a low sugar fruit crumble.  Delizioso!  Adventure accomplished.