As a regular client at the fish stall in the local supermarket the guy was interested in the way I would prepare the moscardini, which is a kind of squid. The idea of a risotto was ok-ish to him, but linguini would be better and thus I changed my mind ;-). Put a pinch of … More Moscardini, vongole, linguini and saffron white wine sauce
Wikipedia learns us that this Chianina cow, an old Etruscan kind, is huge and is raised in Val di Chiana. The meat contains a low amount of cholesterol and has a great flavor. If you eat a Bistecca alla Fiorentina you get that cow on your plate. Dario Cecchini’s macelleria couldn’t sell me a bistecca … More Chianina beef
Jamie Oliver is fan, the Tuscan cookbook makes publicity, and since today I can say to have a good reason not to be a fanatic vegetarian (although I often cook that way). Panzano is a village on the Chianti route which is the alternative SR222 between Florence and Siena. Gerda and I collect Ingrid at … More The famous macelleria Cecchine of Dario
Chop 1 big eggplant in thin pieces. Put in a colander with some salt. Leave for at least 30 mins. Rinse and dry. Bake 4 chopped garlic cloves in a drizzle of olive oil. Add the eggplant and bake while stirring. When the aubergines are all glazy, add 1 can of passata, 1 table spoon … More Pasta alla Norma, one of the favorites, but ‘di mare’ today
Thanks to my lovely parents in law I have this cookbook filled with real Tuscan recipes. This allows me to discover the local cuisine. When I have a busy agenda I try to prepare a dish the evening before, so often it is an oven dish. Today a dear friend, Gerda, arrives from Belgium, and … More Crespelle alla fiorentina, Florentine-style crepes
June’s edition of my favorite magazine (Delicious) is a great source of inspiration for this month. Thanks to Vikram I have two cute little boxes filled with Indian saffron, the real stuff. For 2p put 400 grams of cherry tomatoes on baking paper. Add 2 chopped garlic cloves. Sprinkle some olive oil, a pinch of … More Saffron fennel tomato salad
Courgettes are so great in combination with fish and meat, but are even great just by themselves. The variety of recipes is incredible. If you use the flowers you need real fresh ones. Make a tempura dough with 2 table spoons of flour, 2 table spoons of sparkling water or beer and 1 battered egg. … More An adorable ingredient
For 2p 600 grams of different shapes, different colors of small tomatoes. Halve them or cut in different sizes. Add mozzarellini (small mozzarella balls). Add some pistache nuts. Boil 600 grams of small potatoes in salted water al dente. Cool down and halve them. Mix the tomatoes, mozzarella, potatoes, nuts with loads of fresh basil … More 7.30 pm and still 25° outside, maxi version of a caprese salad
Tuscan sauce is a typical slow cooking recipe. Make a bigger amount and freeze some portions for later. Chop 2 carrots, 2 onions, 3 stems of celery, 6 garlic cloves. Fry in some olive oil (the real Tuscan recipe will tell you to add 1 slice of chopped pancetta ). Add 700 grams of minced … More Polenta with Tuscan sauce
I love eating outside, especially in the evening when the moon and stars lighten your plate in a mysterious way (that will not happen if you eat between 18 and 20 pm, of course ;-)). Although dinner time in Tuscany is not so extremely late, we always had very late evening meals, and still have … More Lovely summer evenings!!
Doc V's Healthy Kitchen 