Tuscany, Lucca and Bagni di Lucca – all about the area
Posted in Local Tuscan Food, Tuscan Recipes on Dec 28th, 2010
300 g (72 oz) Arborio or Carnaroli rice a bundle of agparagus 1 onion 80 g (3 1/2 oz) butter 1/2 litre (2 cups) good quality stock plenty of grated parmesan breadcrumbs salt and pepper For the white sauce: 60 g (5 tablespoons ) butter 60 g (5 tablespoons ) flour 1/2 litre (3 cups) [...]
Posted in Local Tuscan Food, Tuscan Recipes on Nov 1st, 2010
It’s just turned November and the pear season is in full swing. I thought it a nice idea to show how to use pears in Tuscan cooking. Here are 3 simple pear recipes: Pere al vino rosso / Pears in red wine. 4 “Kaiser” pears lemon peel red wine sugar cinamon Keep the pears at [...]
Posted in Tuscan Recipes on Oct 26th, 2010
This is a usual sauce for boiled meat and fish. 2 cloves of garlic, the soft part of one bread roll, 1 anchovy, parsley, salt and pepper, extra virgin olive oil Clean the anchovy removing salt and bones, and wash the parsley thoroughly. Soften the bread in water and vinegar, squeeze it out, and then [...]
Posted in Tuscan Recipes on Oct 25th, 2010
You will find that most Mediterranean countries will lay claim to Baccalà. This is one way we do it in Tuscany. Extra Virgin Olive oil is a key ingredient as it is in most Italian dishes. I have taken this recipe from my friends book ‘Cooking with Olive Oil’ – a great guide (link below). [...]
Posted in Tuscan Recipes on Oct 25th, 2010
Olive Presser-Style – Soup! If you have ever stayed in Tuscany over the winter you will know that it can get quite chilly. Especially in Bagni di Lucca where my little shop is. Being nestled in the mountains, it gets especially cold. Its a great time for getting snuggled up in a blanket, looking out [...]
Posted in Tuscan Recipes on Oct 16th, 2010
recipe for the day! My friend’s family publishes books on the area, and one series of books is all about local cooking (link below). They are simple little €4.50 books that focus on food from a particular locality in Tuscany or even a particular ingredient used in Tuscan cooking. They are great for gifts or [...]
Posted in Local Tuscan Food, The area - Bagni di Lucca on Oct 15th, 2010
People often pop into my shop to ask for information, and one of the questioned most often asked is “where would you recommend going for lunch?” to which I almost always reply “Borghesi’s!” and they will almost always end up telling all there friends about it too. Its cheap and the food is amazing. Its [...]