If I were his Chef: Andrea Pirlo

He was one my favorite boys of summer in 2006.

I first fell in love with Andrea Pirlo during this scene, with team captain Fabio Cannavaro, shortly before Italy was crowned World Champion.

Last month, his 10 years with my favorite club, AC Milan, came to a (mutual) bittersweet end. He signed a 3-year deal with Juventus, Milan's traditional rival.

I think I can handle this ~ shhhh. Juve's club is so flippin' beautiful with Alex Del Piero, et al. Pirlo seems fine with it, I think I'm ok too.

Whenever and wherever he plays, in any jersey, my day turns magical.

My point ~ "Why I adore Andrea Pirlo" (the short list with links to supporting evidence):

• He is man enough to let his fans see him cry (2:45).
• There are great tribute videos honoring him, lots of others adore him too.
• His best friend perhaps being Alessandro Nesta = a favorite eye-candy video.
• He looks a little sleepy sometimes but regarding that, Nesta claims Pirlo is really a rock in the locker room and worth 10 men.
• He is long-time married with 2 children.
  
• He is gorgeous in (row 4, 6 from left) Dolce&Gabbana.
• He scored an amazing 40-yard goal in October 2010 ~ my early birthday present.
• His hometown club, Brescia, signed him originally to launch his career; he's hinted he may return to play for them to end his career.
  

If I were his Chef, I’d set something sweet on his table, that would reflect the hope in his heart for a stellar future with Juventus.

White as the theme comes to mind because it feels peaceful to me.

On non-World-Cup years, two of summer's finest blessings are white peaches and the return of Italy's soccer season in late August. My muse is from northern Italy's Lombardia region, also home to Amaretto di Saronno, and mascarpone cheese ~ ingredients that elevate my spiced-poached peaches to an exquisite realm. I’d suggest dipping traditional Amaretti cookies in the syrup ~ their story has a happy ending of its very own.

I'd prepare this elegant dessert with a prayer that every joy ~ especially those unexpected ~ find this beautiful man, in this new chapter of his life.

He deserves that.

Amaretto-Poached Peaches with Mascarpone, for Andrea Pirlo

1 1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup Amaretto di Saronno
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
Scored rind of one orange
4 small, slightly under-ripe white peaches, halved, pitted

Combine first 6 ingredients in large saucepan, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add peach halves. Cook in liquid for 15 minutes, turning peaches occasionally. Remove peaches and solids from pan; boil liquid, reduce to yield light syrup.

1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
Freshly ground nutmeg
Amaretti cookies, optional

Place 2 peach halves in each of 4 dessert bowls. Spoon a little cheese in center of peaches, sprinkle with nutmeg. Spoon syrup around peaches to serve; offer cookies for dipping.

Yields 4 servings.

If I were their Champions League Chef: Barcelona

This is part 2 of my "If I were their Champions League Chef" series, in honor of the 2011 Final on 28 May, in London. Each story offers a new original recipe as my gift, to thank both clubs for their (respective and) collective inspiration and ... beauty.

Shortly after my DNA was forever altered, a new French home-mate came to call. His passion ~ France's national team. Mine ~ Italy's. The 2006 World Cup had just rocked my world, and destroyed his.

I was very good at crafting clever and creative ways to keep our small home a harmonious one.

At that hour, Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta and France's Thierry Henry played for FC Barcelona. Watching their matches together became a source of peace between us, and that's when I first fell in love with the Spanish giants.

By now they've taken my world by storm.

One man that I adore on my Melting Pot Food Tours rounds is a rabid Barca fan, to whom I know better than to mention Real Madrid or even Iker Casillas. Sometimes I think our mutual passion + the one I share with other adorable Barca fans = one reason I get up in the morning.

The chronicles of Barcelona's phenomenal success and mass of silverware is best told by the myriad of other Barca-worship sites, while I work up to my point of this story.

The current roster of Manchester United's formidable opponent this weekend is an acutely accurate rendition of The World's Most Beautiful Game.

Manager Josep Pep Guardiola lifted this Champions League trophy with Barcelona as a player in 1992, and then again in 2009 as the club's first-year coach. He is also a champion of lady fans' affections.

Eight of his expected starting 11 on Saturday ~ Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique', Pedro Rodriguez, Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Busquets, Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, and my favorite, David Villa ~ were Spain's 2010 World Cup Champions.

Most of his players hail from Spain, and others have roots in Brazil, France, Africa, Holland and, Argentina ~ home to universal darling Lionel Leo Messi, who is praised by his iconic peers (and even rivals) as the greatest player in the world. He's another object of my adoration.

Now, here's the punch line ~

It was reported that 9 months after Barcelona won the Champions League finals in May 2009, the birthrate in the Catalan city soared by 45%.

Mind you, I do not make these things up. I just report them.

With an agenda.

If I were their Champions League Chef, I couldn't not put a gorgeous, energizing dish in front of these beautiful men, to celebrate the serious kind of passion they organically inspire. It'd have to be something deliciously rich with aphrodisiacs.

My romantic main-course salad would start with a bed of spicy arugula, which in ancient times was believed to be associated with fertility. Fresh sea scallops wrapped in bacon and glazed with balsamic vinegar, a dash of chili, and honey ~ nectar of Aphrodite herself ~ would yield a blast of soft, salty, sweet, and sticky, with a bit of heat. I'd add more sensuality with slices of cool, silky mango (which Southeast Asia takes as a supplement for virility) and creamy-dreamy avocado (which nutrients boost sexual health).

Its finish would be a sprinkle of almonds, which have represented true love throughout history.

Do I need to say it?

Sorry, ManU. I'm in love.

Forca Barca.

Seductive Scallop Salad, for Barcelona

2 Tbsp honey
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp dried chili flakes

1 tsp Dijon mustard
4 Tbsp Spanish extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

8 fresh sea scallops
4 slices bacon

1 Manila (Champagne) mango
1 medium (ripe) avocado
6 cups fresh arugula

1/4 cup chopped roasted almonds

Preheat oven to 425F.

Whisk honey, vinegar, and chili flakes in small bowl. Place all but 2 Tbsp of mixture in large skillet for later use. Whisk the reserved 2 Tbsp with mustard and oil until smooth and creamy; season to taste with salt and pepper. Place vinaigrette in plastic squeeze bottle for dressing salad later.

Wrap each scallop with 1/2 piece bacon, secure with toothpick. Place in baking dish; bake for 20 minutes.

Pit, peel, slice mango and avocado. Place arugula in two shallow bowls for serving.

Heat honey mixture in skillet over medium flame. Remove cooked scallops from oven, place in skillet. Heat through, coating with glaze.

Top arugula with 4 glazed scallops for each serving. Fan slices of mango and avocado around scallops. Drizzle salad with vinaigrette. Sprinkle with almonds to serve.

Yields 2 servings.

If I were their Champions League Chef: Manchester United

This is the first of my two-part "If I were their Champions League Chef" series, in honor of the 2011 Final on 28 May, in London ~ and will be followed by a story for FC Barcelona. Each story will offer a new original recipe, as my gift to thank them for their (respective and) collective inspiration and ... beauty.

It took a while for me to give the English Premier League the time and attention it deserves. I credit the UEFA Champions League for finally luring my heart over to that side of the pond.

The biggest European club competition ~ the Champions League Final ~ is coming up on Saturday. Soccer fans around the world have been captivated since September, when the qualifying rounds began. The tournament kept us nail biting through early May, when the two finalists finally emerged.

This year's match is deja vu for Manchester United and Barcelona. In May 2009 the same two clubs clashed, and Barcelona was crowned European (Club) Cup Champions. Understandably, Barca's worthy opponent wants revenge this year.

FC Manchester United (known also as United, ManUnited, ManU) has earned its rightful place in the Final under the stellar leadership of Manager Sir Alex Ferguson (known also as Fergie and Sir Alex). Having coached ManU since 1986, the man is universally hailed as one of the best coaches in the world and throughout the history of the sport. His no-player-is-bigger-than-the-club philosophy is said to be (only one) of the keys to his success; just about everyone considers him a class act.

The first team of Sir Alex (who is from Scotland) boasts a little united nation of its own, with roots in Mexico, Senegal, Wales, South Korea, Holland, Canada, Brazil, Serbia, and Bulgaria. Most players are in fact, from England.

The new (2007) Wembley Stadium will host this huge match. London has earned its own rightful place on the culinary map, thanks to icons like Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, and Gordon Ramsay.

Even though technically the British club will be on home soil, Wembley doesn't exactly equal home field advantage. Manchester United deserves an iconic dish that makes them feel welcome, calm, and confident ... with a taste of home at the same time.

If I were their Champions League Chef, I'd place a platter of simple, elegant, comfort food with a little bit of a Euro accent before them. I happen to know that their resident Korean Ji-Sung Park was raised on quality meat, that roasted meals reign supreme in the UK, and that a little hot sauce only adds to the spice of life.

And, I'd seem clueless if I didn't address that certain members of this club are experiencing extreme difficulties in their personal lives recently, which have been exacerbated by the British tabloid press and now even social media. In general, I defer to other sources regarding that genre of reporting since I am clueless about the entire truth of those stories. I'll just say that my meal would be prepared with pure intention to both inspire and, heal ... which seems the most appropriate gesture for a Chef to offer at this hour.

Hoping there would be something for everyone on their international roll call, I'd want them to dine well on a prime beef tenderloin roasted with fresh tomatoes, surrounded by creamy mashed potatoes, and today's garden variety of roasted fresh vegetables. On the side would be a selection of hot sauces, including Brazilian malagueta which would also resonate with West Africans.

It is said that the ultimate glory for a player is to score a goal in the Champions League Final. I can't wait to see whose dreams will come true this time.

Wouldn't it be nice if my menu induced a celebration? I think it would.

Prime Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Tomatoes, for FC Manchester United

2 1/2 lbs. prime beef tenderloin roast
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 400F. In center of large, ovenproof skillet or heavy baking dish, place roast seasoned generously with salt and pepper. In large bowl, toss chopped tomatoes generously with olive oil. Surround roast with tomatoes. Roast for about 20 minutes, until quick-read internal thermometer reads 120F maximum.

Remove from oven and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to serve. Internal temperature of roast will increase by about 5 degrees while it rests. Overcooking roast will yield dryness so do not allow internal temperature to increase beyond 120F.

Serve meat and tomatoes with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and hot sauce as condiment if desired.

Yields 4-6 servings.

If I were his Chef: Marco Borriello

Marco Borriello has been on my wire of prospective beautiful muses, for months.

Probably for years, if I was really honest.

I first fell in love with him when he played in Genoa. When one of his matches aired and I was home to watch, my day suddenly turned magical. He transferred to AC Milan, my first love, where he about took my breath away in red&black.

Now he's with another true love, AS Roma, and is equally gorgeous, alongside his teammates, in yellow&red. (And, as it turns out ~ who knew ~ as a singing and dancing cowboy.)

His career has mostly been spent in northern Italy but he is from Naples, where I believe his family still lives. His father died when he was young and he remains devoted to his family, especially his mother, who did not have an easy time raising him and his siblings alone. He claims to have had a very awkward youth when he wore thick glasses, and lacked self-confidence.

I will say this twice in this story ~ The Universe is very kind. Everything passes.

When Italy takes the international field, sometimes Borriello wears the Azzurri jersey, and again, my day turns magical. Never mind that he didn't make the World Cup 2010 squad last summer ... even his presence would only have consoled me a little, when Italy choked.

As I said, we live in a very kind and benevolent Universe. There are lots more international matches coming up, including Euro 2012 qualifiers, and new national coach Cesare Prandelli may in fact call him for duty. This will rock the worlds of more lady fans than just myself.

On that note, his status of sorts ~ single, off-the-charts handsome, and sometimes even available ~ makes him one of Italy's hottest bachelors. He is known for adamantly refusing to discuss the latest tabloid gossip in interviews. Still, lady fans always want to know, regarding the romantic choices of his particular genre, "Why not a fan?"

I concur, laugh, and add, "Why not a chef?"

Around Christmastime, I guess I was musing about said things delicious. For some strange reason, the flavors of Fantasia ice cream started clamoring in my creative mind. At Disneyland, where it was served exclusively for many years (but no longer), its flavors gave whole new meaning to divine trinity ~ banana, pistachio, and cherry. I loved it.

Yum. I was easily inspired to play connect-the-dots. Fantasia ice cream celebrated Fantasyland. Some version of this place is where many of his fans spend at least some of their time. Not many would argue that the word fantasy does in fact, go very nicely used in the same sentence as these two words: Marco Borriello.

If I were his Chef, I think serving this incredibly delicious quick bread, with aphrodisiac-rich ingredients, would send a clear message to this man. Bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, both essential for healthy hormone production. Cherries have their own sexy allure. Pistachios are energy-boosting and a healthy source of protein, in case stamina comes to mind.

Serving it as dessert, I'd add a little pistachio gelato on the side and a drizzle of rich, creamy chocolate sauce. But trust me when I say that it is really exquisite, just served alone.

As in, for breakfast.

Fantasy Banana-Cherry-Pistachio Bread, for Marco Borriello

1 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cube butter, softened
3/4 cups white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup pitted cherries (drained/pitted well if using canned/frozen-thawed)
1 cup shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350F and coat 8x4x2" loaf pan or 3 mini loaf pans with cooking spray.

Sift first 3 ingredients together THREE TIMES; set aside.

Cream butter and sugars with electric mixer on medium speed. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla; combine well. Mix in mashed banana with mixer, then mixing on low speed, gradually add sifted dry ingredients. When well combined, gently stir in by hand, the cherries and nuts.

Transfer to prepared pans, and bake for 25-30 minutes for small loaves, and 50-60 minutes for large loaf. Let cool on wire racks before turning out of pan(s). Slice as desired, to enjoy.

Yields 1 large, or 3 small bread loaves