An Italian Food Adventure
June 4, 2013
An Italian Food Adventure
Italy, I am in love! What a stunningly beautiful and awe inspiring country. And the food…..!!!!
The one country that I have always wanted to visit presented itself in a stroke of very good fortune and a little thinking and planning. I won the trip, including cooking classes on the Amalfi Coast. A dream come true. Thank you La Zuppa. We had the most wonderful holiday.
We visited the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Rome and Florence.
Prior to this trip I had seen many pictures of famous Italian landmarks. They were enough to make me want to visit but did not prepare me for seeing them in person. Many left me speechless and unable to begin to adequately describe the beauty, or even the feeling of being there.
My favorite things :
- The little three wheeled farm utes.
Small enough to zip around the very skinny and very busy roads of the Amalfi Coast, and park on the footpath! Plus you can put your vegies and a garden shovel in the back 🙂
- The structure and neatness of the productive gardens
- The simplicity of the food
Simple flavors presented with no fuss but made with immense pride and care. The dish below was created for us by a family whose farm we visited (more on that in the coming weeks) When I say created – I mean grown and made from scratch – everything on the plate, including the olive oil, the wine served with lunch and the Limoncello that followed.
- Limoncello (more on this in the coming weeks)
- A private meal (with no other customers) at a 2 Michelin Star restaurant on the Amalfi Coast – Ristorante Quattro Passi Nero
- Panini for lunch, stuffed with an endless variety of prosciutto and cheese
- The cooking classes led by Chef Carmen and the outstanding service we received at Relais Oasis Olimpia for the four nights we were treated to.
Over the coming weeks I will post some of the recipes and tips that I learnt at cooking school – La Cucina del Gusto by Chef Carmen .
I can’t wait to share them. I have been stocking up the pantry since returning!
We needed to adjust to:
- The number of courses – antipasti, salad, soup, primi piatti, main, sides, dessert, drinks…….
- Eating late, an early dinner is 8pm. Many popular restaurants did not have a place until after 1o pm.
- The “Italian” measurements – this was amusing rather than an issue. They included an “Italian teaspoon” of salt, and an “Italian tablespoon of olive oil. The definition of this = LOTS
This trip left us with a strong motivation to return and explore more of this fascinating country.
We have started saving already, plus I tossed my coin into the Trevi Fountain to be sure 🙂
Have you been to Italy? Do you have a favorite location that we should plan to visit next time?
Inspiring families to grow at least one fresh food item at home to experience the benefits of fresh food.
Sounds like an amazing trip! Looking forward to reading more!
Like Mother like daughter, I absoutely adored the place also, the food, the sights the people the atmosphere, can’t wait to hear & read more.
Thank you for sharing -what a wonderful dream…
well…..i am so glad you enjoyed your trip and look forward to reading more! as an italian i can give you one suggestion ….visit it ALL ….all of italy is stunning, beautiful, breathtaking, amazing, yummy 🙂 i could honestly not pinpoint any one location which i would tell you to visit even fi you told me you could only go to one place…i don’t have a favourite city/area myself! let me know if you ever decide on any specific places to visit – i am sure i can help you out – the best is to visit it with a local / with a local’s tips…they always know the best/ down to earth / authentic places! ciao from a very jealous giulia 🙂 (although i’m heading back at the end of the month..so excited!)
Hi Kyrstie,
I am a newcomer to your blog so I’ve just gone back to find out how you won this amazing trip. How wonderful for you! Italy is top of my dream destinations too. Having never been overseas at all, if that is the only place I go in my lifetime, I will be satisfied. Love your pics! The joy and excitement you experienced on your holiday is portrayed so well in this post. Looking forward to discovering all the tips and recipes you picked up along the way.
Can’t wait to hear more of your adventure, So want to go to Italy toooooo.
Oh Kyrstie! How wonderful. Been thinking of you and how you went. It sounds absolutely marvellous! Can’t wait to hear more. I’m taking notes for when I go.
Anne xx
Incredible Kyrstie. Truly a trip of a lifetime! Beautiful photos, I look forward to reading more about it.
Looked like you had a great time! Very happy for you! I have been to Venice, Rome and the Italian Alps. Love it, almost as much as I love France!
How wonderful for you Kirsty! I adore Italy – in fact, we are having Christmas there this year. I can’t wait for all that wonderful food!
Oh I loved Italy! I went years ago when all I was interested in was drinking and going out so I didnt appreciate it as much as I would now. I’d love to go back 🙂
Sounds like you had such a great time and the food looks delicious. I absolutely love Italy and always like to try new Italian food.