AntiPasti ~ Eggplant

I have been working on a cookbook for our 'Kitchen Capers'. We will be cutting up in the kitchen, and this is one of my favorite recipes. My goal is not to spend hours in a steamy kitchen ~ instead, we will be cooking fresh and enjoying time with amici.

Fresh grilled Eggplant... a take off on eggplant parmiggiano that is more fresh and Positano-ish.

It is more of a process than a 'recipe'
Grilled Aubergine
2-3 small tender eggplant
sea salt
olive oil
2 fresh tomatoes
fresh Basil
Mozzarella or goat cheese
lemon zest

First, slice the small tender type eggplant, Lay salted slices in a colendar to drain off the excess liquid. (time for a glass of wine on the terrace)

Brush each slice with olive oil and sear on a hot grill. When one side is done, flip and cover with cheese. I've used mozzarella balls here, but will use sliced fresh buffala mozzarella when we are in Positano.

Once the eggplant is tender, and the cheese is softened. . . layer with a fresh tomato slice, basil and lemon zest. Finally, drizzle with your best Italian olive oil.

.

Now . . . time for another glass of wine on the terrace.

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

Travel Tuesday ~ Cooking class in Positano

While we were in Positano, we decided we needed to take a cooking class.
I had heard about il Ritrivo and knew that was the kitchen we wanted to be in. It is in the town of Montepertuso . . . a windy drive up and out of Positano (but then we realized EVERYTHING is a windy drive up and out of Positano)

I want that 'Cucina' sign for my house
Salvatore is the chef and his Zia Marilu was our teacher for the day. She is a tiny thing ~ but you can tell she love being in the kitchen.

We started by making Fresh Pasta ~ which we quickly turned into a 4 cheese Ravioli.

I, of course, was hard at work . . .
We seemed to make enough ravioli for the whole house.

We also made stuffed zucchini blossoms, two kinds of pasta, sauces, fish, and an olive oil cake.
You know it wasn't all about working in the kitchen ~
We had plenty of il Ritrivo's Vino.

Chef Salvatore stopped long enough for pictures with the pretty ladies.

We enjoyed the fruits of our labor, while over-looking the Amalfi coast. Of course we encouraged everyone in the restaurant to try the ravioli we'd made.
A little more vino and some limoncello to ease our digestion . . .

Hugs and kisses as we left ~ it was such a fun way to spend the afternoon. I know we will be doing cooking classes next year when we have our Positano Great Escape again.

I am also joining Our World Tuesday
Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Wither

The PhotoHunt for today is 'wither'

Which is what happens as they age the pecorino cheese ~ these blocks of cheese have been packed with bay leaves or straw to give them a unique flavor.

I am ready for a plate of this local cheese.

And maybe a bottle of this as well . . .

In another month . . . I'll be back in Italy.

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Escape ~

The photohunt for this week is 'escape'
I get to escape every year with Italian Great Escapes .
I am so lucky to get to travel with Gail ~ 

I can't think of a better ~ escape ~

This year we are going to be back in the kitchen.
We have a small villa that we will be filling with old friends . . . and soon to be friends .
We will be having fun in the kitchen, art lessons, wine,  and of course Bella Italia!
There are still some spots left  ~  if you are looking for an escape!

 
I can't imagine a better Escape ~

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Jokester ~

The PhotoHunt for this Saturday is 'Jokester' When we were on our Great Escape this year, we had a jokester in the kitchen.

'Lefty' has been known to get into trouble  . . . where ever he goes!

This year 'Miss Righty' had some tricks up her sleeve.

I really think it was just the bad influence of 'Lefty'

Jokesters?
But of course . . .

I'm thinking that Miss Righty has already booked a closet for Kitchen Capers in Tuscany next year.

Now . . . Check for all the other 'Jokester' Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Song ~

The PhotoHunt for this week is 'Song'

I have shared this place before  . . .  al Paradiso di Frassina
This is the winery near Montalcino where they play Mozart to the grapes.
It is a beautiful drive down a winding dirt road ~ with the sound of music coming from the Bose speakers that are scattered in the fields.

The wine is good too!
Maybe we'll be visiting Carlo again in May~

Check for all the other Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Travel Tuesday ~ How do You like to travel?

When I posted last week about our new Travel Adventure, Kitchen Capers . . . I started thinking about how people like to travel.
Not everyone is the same!
I remember seeing this group in Rome ~ and thinking that would be my travel nightmare.

30 people, On bikes, In the city . . all trying to hear a guide talk about the tourist sites.
Yikes!
To each his own  .  .  .

This is more my style .  .  . wandering a side street in the early morning.
What is your travel style?
Here is the Link to Our Great Escapes  ~

Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

A Special Announcement for Traveling Tuesday

I am super excited to make this announcement . . . it is a secret I have been holding on to for a while.
I've been about to bust!!!
This spring, I am joining up officially with my friend Gail Hecko. We will offer special tours of the Tuscany we have both come to love.
I have traveled to Italy with her for the past 5 years, helping with her tours.
Now . . .  we are going to make use of my cooking experience,
and Gail's knowledge of Tuscany.

" Kitchen Capers "

This May we are going to offer a 7 day trip to a historical villa in Contignano ~ we are limiting it to 6 people per week.  It will be the perfect Italian get-away.
Check the website for all the details of Kitchen Capers with Gail & Sandi.

It will be a fun filled week  ~ where we will have plenty of thyme to cut up in the kitchen.
We'll be using basic Tuscan recipes from my friend Judy ~ The Divina Cucina . . . and maybe even a few from my Pomodori e Vino days ~ cooking with Marcella Hazan.
For those who want to get into a little pasta making, we will have cooking classes.
If you aren't into cooking in the kitchen, you can sit back, sip wine and enjoy fruits of our labors.

We will also have a tours of the nearby villages, local wineries, and olive oil farms.
We will also include watercolor classes with Liz Cochrane.
Contignano is a small village in the heart of Tuscany
. . . the perfect home base for an unbelievable week in Italy.

If you have ever thought about taking a trip to Italy ~ now is the time!
This trip will be perfect for sisters, girlfriends or even couples.
Small enough for personal attention, but with plenty of free time to fall in love with Italy.

Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi