White Gold

A peek-a-boo view of the white mountains

When we come to Italy we are in the Massa-Carrara area.  Yes, the place where Carrara marble comes from.  Yet in all these years we have not visited the quarries.  I have to admit I am not a fan of heights so this has been the deterrent, but for some reason for this trip I became brave.  We drove up to the Fantiscritti valley to take a tour of the inside of a working quarry.  (The other two main valleys are called Colonnata and Ravaccione, in fact Ravaccione is where the marble of the David statue was dug.)  The setting inside was absolutely another world, "lunar" could describe it.  In fact the mine hosts photoshoots, fashion shows and concerts.  It was quite cold inside, 16 C, but apparently the temperature remains constant all year.

The mine entrance, the company was called I love Marmo, you can see more here: http://www.marmotour.com/marble-quarries.htm

Everywhere you look is marble, as you are literally inside the mountain

Because mining is taking place also outside on top of this inside mine, four pillars for stability always remain in place

A recently cut block, value approximately 60-80,000 Euro

One of the bars near the mine entrance

We walked to the nearby village of Colonnata, that is famous for lardo

Colonnata view of of the marble mountains

As we were trying to find our way to the center we spied this iconic view

You can see in the image the entrance to a "larderia"

If you have been wondering what lardo is, this is it, basically salted pig back fat sliced extremely thin for panini.  Now panini literally is any sandwich not just the toasted one we think of in the US.  

Lentil Love

Even though it is technically summer here in England, we have dark and cloudy days that call for a soup.  I have recently discovered this simple lentil dish that the longer you cook the better it gets.  And of course lentils are awesome for your fiber intake and I am sure other good shit too.

Here I used a shallot in addition to my regular onion, because I only had one onion

Saute in olive oil of course

I had some green chili on hand so I threw these in too, but if you have jalapeno or something else try this too

This is the secret to make the lentils taste "meaty" my husband doesn't know I add this, but he loves this dish if he knew he would say he doesn't like it because the soy sauce is not an Italian ingredient....stronzo

After you cook down your veg add a tin of diced tomatoes and broth along with the lentils and bring to a boil

You then put the pot on simmer and can leave it there for like six hours, but rule of thumb to is cook for at least two

My end result is more like a stew, so if you are after  a proper soup add more broth...simple!  But simple is always best!

Cocomero Days

Cocomero (watermelon) is served in slices along the Lungo Mare

July in Marina di Massa, Italy...I have yet to experience such until now.  I have caught a glimpse into my husband's extremely fortunate childhood days.  Those times included waking up, walking to the beach, stopping to purchase a rosetta con la coppa (roll with a kind of salami) then onto get the pink paper (which is the Italian sports paper called Gazzetta dello Sport, which he now despises but that is a a totally different post) and finally onto Bagno Fifi.  (In Italy different bagni line the beach, this is a business that sets up chairs everyday for clients.  Some have bars as well, but most of the beach is "owned" with only a small area that is public.)  Marina is much more lively in the summer with most of Italy's inland residents and tourists flocking to the coastal areas.  A true getaway from the non-existent summer that is the midlands of England.

One cocomero stand that started as a side of the road stop that blossomed into a full blown bar 

The cabina (where you change into your swimsuit) at Bagno Fifi

Every inch is dotted with chairs

This coastline to the Cinque Terre has been dubbed the "Tuscan Riveria"

My sister-in-law has kept the reserved chairs in the family for many years, therefore her chairs are very close to the water, not toward the back

A post about Italy with no food, nonsense!  Here are fresh mussels my mother in law prepared for lunch one day

Basil growing in her terrace garden, she has so much of it that with a breeze you catch a scent of it

After eating one of these cherry tomatoes off the vine, I know what the sun tastes like

Focaccia from Paula's http://www.americanina.com/2011/11/pane-di-paola.html (even in the summer fresh bread abounds)

A sunset at Bagno Fifi, where most beachgoers are home to clean up before going out for dinner around 9

Summertime snack

Summer.....well what I generally grew up knowing as summer, warm days and nights, sunburns, pools, Hawaiian Punch, ice cream....I could go on.  Another food that I typically associate with summer and  backyard bar-b-ques is deviled eggs.  Now this might be a very southern association, but this snack with other foods like sweet tea and fried chicken help make summertime.  Alas living now in England the weather is not really what I am used to, as it rains everyday and if the sun comes out, it comes out in bits and basically I am still wearing jeans and a jacket to go out.  Sad I know....but I have been told this is quite unusual as it is now July....I keep hoping, but even if the weather changes it will never be the same as typical summer weather in the American south.

I know, I  know my eggs were probably too fresh, thus I didn't get the shell to peel away and leave a clean egg

I don't use all my egg yolks, I generally leave at least two of them out

I use only a teaspoon of mustard, but note to self don't use dijon as the flavor is too strong

I have yet to find prepared relish here in England, so I tried to chop up some sweet pickles in place.  Note to self, buy relish when next in the US

Add mayo and if not using store prepared relish add generous salt and pepper

Put your filling into a plastic bag and snip the corner to pipe the filling into the egg whites

For a southern touch garnish with paprika and a slice of pimento stuffed green olive (which I did not have on hand!)

Pound Cake Perfect

I saw these beautiful berries at the grocery yesterday and knew I would make this pound cake with them.  This pound cake truly lives up to its name as it requires four eggs and the final result is quite dense.  Serve with fresh whipped cream with a nip of vin santo or Grand Marnier or just a shot of either liquor.

Adding a bit of orange zest brightens the flavor

Mix and mash about three tablespoons of the flour mixture with the raspberries

Just fold in the mashed raspberries gently or you might end up with a pinky-purple cake

Bake for one hour

The Baraset Barn

Last weekend, it was slightly sunny, but windy.  Nonetheless, we decided to try and make the most of the peekaboo sun and took the convertible out with the top down.  We wanted to eat outside, so we went to a pub near Stratford Upon Avon that offers good food and outside dining, The Baraset.  (Now, in my opinion The Baraset sets the standard high for the definition of pub as the interior is bright, clean and lovely.  It is a converted barn property, which are quite popular in this area.)  Although towards the end of our lunch the rain clouds were rolling in, we still had a lovely time, (but less wind would have been better, but I suppose being spoiled in California for all those years with perfect weather I have to take what I can get here in the Midlands.)  If you want to know more about The Baraset check it out here http://www.lovelypubs.co.uk/venues/the-baraset-barn

The outside deck where we had lunch

The lounge area...notice the cute pillows with the Beatles on them

My husbands app, scallops....very tasty

Details like the dishes are great

Luna waiting patiently for table scraps

My lunch, seared halibut with salmon and pepperoncino risotto

Summer squash risotto, satisfying but not overly filling