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Showing posts with label pasta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pasta. Show all posts
Friday, January 13, 2012
Hotel Mayr - Italy
Even though we don't even own our first house yet, we already know where we want to own our second house. Yes I realize I am putting the cart before the horse here, but stay with me. The first time we went to the Dolomites in October 2010 we fell in love. We fell in love hard. We had a full on affair with the Dolomites, returning there for Christmas 2010 and 2011. We would have gone back a few more times last year but we forced ourselves to explore new places.
Whats so magical about the Dolomites?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Locanda Al Colle
To be perfectly honest, I didn't do much planning for our trip to Tuscany last weekend. A friend had already booked the trip and invited us along with them, so my flights and hotel were already chosen for me. Bonus. All I needed to do was show up.
Things that I can do in life:
1. Show up for a trip to Tuscany
2. Eat cookies
Sadly, our friends had to cancel their trip. We figured we might as well still go, heck the trip was already booked. But now...now I had to do some actual planning.
What airport were we flying in to?
Where the heck is Camaiore??
What kind of pasta am I going to eat?!
See? Things were getting scary, real fast.
Luckily, one thing I didn't have to worry about was where we were staying.
Enter Locanda al Colle.
aka - a little piece of heaven in the Tuscan country side.
My friend found this hotel through Mr and Mrs Smith (seriously, check them out ASAP if you think I am talking about a movie rather than an awesome boutique hotel website) - and let me tell you, the Smiths did not steer us wrong. Neither did the awesome reviewers on TripAdvisor - every.single. reviewer for this boutique hotel on TripAdvisor gave it an "Excellent" rating and wrote a glowing review.
So, did this place live up to all the hype?
You bet your boots it did.
It was more than what we could have imagined or hoped for from a place to rest our feet at night.
Upon arrival the first thing I noticed (besides all of the cute and welcoming nooks on the front patio that just screamed COME HERE AND DRINK A GLASS OF WINE! and all of the amazing flowers blooming around the entire property) was that there wasn't a check-in desk. There was no formal computer system or line of other guests waiting anxiously to get to their room. Instead, I was greeted by softly playing music as I stepped in to the hotels living room. Arianna appeared from nowhere and welcomed me right in. Within moments of telling her my name she had our room keys in hand and was showing me the way to our room.
Immediately upon entering the room I felt at home. I was hard for me not to kick off my shoes right then and there. After a quick tour of the room she was off again, and I was left to my own devices. As I usually do when I first get to a new hotel room, I went through every nook and cranny in the place. No drawer was left unopened, no door was spared from being opened. I read all the welcome pack information as well as had a peak at all the bath goodies and the rain shower in the bathroom. And then, I sat down and took it all in.
The room was impeccably decorated with vintage furniture, interesting mismatched pieces that perfectly fit together in a way that I could never replicate in my own home. The room was a calming mixture of taupe and sage green, eggshell and muted gold with pops of orange and wood furniture. The bathroom was divine. Bath products made from local olive oil, plush over sized towels and the biggest rain shower I have ever seen in my whole life nearly made me want to move right into the bathroom itself.
Of course if I had done that I would have missed sleeping in the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on in Italy. Not only was the bed comfortable and the bedding luxurious - but the pillows! These were the biggest, fluffiest, squishiest pillows I have ever slept on in probably all of Europe. Typically in European hotels (apart from all the big chains, obvi) the pillows are some sort of an after thought. Or maybe, Europeans don't really care about the quality of their pillows too much. All I know is that they usually leave us with a sore neck the next morning. But no...not these....
And the view....
Oh, the view....
If you look hard enough you can just see the coast and Mediterranean in the distance. I was surprised at first but then realized that we were only 5km away from the sea. Amazing, considering it felt like we were a million miles away from everything.
Locanda al Colle is nestled in the Northern Tuscan hills, about thirty minutes drive north of Pisa. Lucca is close by as well as many charming small towns, and the ritzy summer seaside town of Forte dei Marme is a mere ten minute drive away. Normally we stay in Southern Tuscany, so I was a little apprehensive about how we would like this area. I should never have feared (duh, we were in Italy after all). There are more than enough things to do here, I wish we could have stayed for a week rather than just the weekend.
In addition to our perfect room (next time I want to check out one of the Deluxe or Suite rooms which come with private outdoors space) the entire hotel (not that it's that big, there are only nine guest room in total) is decorated impeccably. Much of the furniture was picked up by Riccardo on his travels around the world and many pieces are vintage, perfectly preserved or restored. There is an odd mix of old and new, contemporary and vintage, but somehow it all just works.
The hotel also features artwork by local artists, from paintings to sculptures, displayed inside and out. Find a piece you really fancy? Just ask Riccardo for the price list and he is happy to indulge.
Speaking of indulgence - I haven't even started telling you about the food. Included in the rate was daily breakfast - served only from 9am to 11am (my kind of place - you don't have to worry about getting there early before all the good stuff is gone!) - and is a casual affair served in the communal kitchen. There are fresh breads with jam, cereals and yogurts, usually one sweet and one savory baked item and fresh fruit. Fancy some eggs? No problem! Place your order and Arianna or Riccardo will fix them right up for you, often times sitting down to join the guests for breakfast.
And if you are lucky enough to stay at Locanda al Colle on a Wednesday or Saturday night, you MUST take advantage of the home cooked dinner that is served. The chef (who used to work in a two star Michelin restaurant I might add) cooked us, and the other hotel guests, a delicious four course dinner. The evening starts with a glass of prosecco and canapes in the living room while you mingle with other guests or admire the artwork. Moving into the dining room you have your choice of wine (or more prosecco if that's how you want the night to go down) and then the courses start flowing.
While we were there we had a delicious polenta starter, followed by an artichoke and spec risotto and ended by pan fried sea bass with seasonal vegetables. Each bite was divine. And then, we had dessert. Arianna made an orange tiramisu that was out of the world. The orange flavor was so delicate and it was such an interesting and inventive twist on a traditional Italian dessert. We had an excellent time chatting with the other guests and learning more about Riccardo and his amazing hotel.
Oh yeah...I almost forgot to mention!
Don't forget to bring your bathing suit (like I did). There is a heated pool that is open year round.
Overall I have to give Locanda al Colle is glowing five star review (As if you couldn't tell that already). Not only is the hotel beautifully decorated and as comfortable as your own home (if not more!) but the hosts Arianna and Riccardo really do make this place special. They were both so helpful in recommending local restaurants and things to do, and were more than happy to print out ferry schedules and add their two cents on how to make our stay even more enjoyable. It is amazing to know that this place has only been open for a year and a half - when it seems like they have been doing this all their lives.
The value for money here is outstanding - but you better hurry up and go...this place won't stay a secret for long!
Locanda al Colle
Via della Stretta, 102
loc. Capezzano Pianore
55041 Camaiore (LU)
Phone +39 0584 915 195
http://www.locandaalcolle.com/
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Labels:
go here - now,
interiors,
Italy,
love,
pasta,
photography,
travel,
trvlngcupcake,
tuscany
Labels:
go here - now,
interiors,
Italy,
love,
pasta,
photography,
travel,
trvlngcupcake,
tuscany
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Risotto with peas
It would start with asparagus. The asparagus bed had its own separate location apart from the rest of the garden, seemingly posher than the humble potatoes and corn. As soon as we saw their little tips peeking up from the soil we knew the season was in full swing. It took many, many years for me to finally like the taste of asparagus (without a pound of melted velveeta cheese slathered on top, oh the horror). The same goes for peas.
One of the most vivid memories I have of growing up in my parents house was picking fresh peas from the garden. As a child I loathed the taste of cooked peas - somehow the only ones that I could remember were dull and brownish from being cooked too long in the microwave (sorry mom). But fresh peas, oh those were something different. My parents would send my sister and I out to the garden with a plastic bag and we were to fill it with peas. They were lucky if they ended up with half of the bounty that was growing, the other half in my belly with a trail of empty pods stretching out behind me. I'd seek out the perfect pea pod - not too big (as that meant the peas were too starchy and slightly bitter), not too small (you wanted to actually be able to eat something out of the pod) but just right - the peas would be sweet and tender, and I would gobble them up like candy.
These days I have a better appreciation for the taste of cooked peas, but even now I find it hard to get them cooked just right when we are dining out. And of course now in my life there is the British staple of mushed peas served with fish and chips. But even that is a tricky dish to get right. I don't have the luxury now of picking fresh peas from my parents garden, so the farmers market is my next best option. When I saw a bag of fresh peas last week I knew I had to do something remarkable with them.
I have (slowly) been reading through The Silver Spoon (the holy grail of Italian cooking) and noticed a recipe for Risotto with Asparagus. And that's when the lightbulb went off - Risotto with Peas and Mint. It was my first time cooking risotto and I am hooked. These something so methodical and hypnotizing about stirring a pot for 25 minutes, slowly adding stock, stirring, stirring, stirring. This dish requires very few ingredients so it is critical to use the freshest, best quality ingredients that you can get your hands on.
Risotto with Peas and Mint
Inspired by a risotto recipe by The Silver Spoon cookbook
1.5 litres (2 1/2 pints) of vegetable or chicken stock (homemade or low sodium from the store)
40 grams (1 1/2 oz) butter
3 tblsp olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
350 grams (12 oz) risotto rice
1 cup fresh peas
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
Fresh mint, chopped, to taste (I used 10 leaves, about 1 1/5 tblsp chopped)
Fresh mint, chopped, to taste (I used 10 leaves, about 1 1/5 tblsp chopped)
- Bring the stock to a boil. In a large sauce pan melt the butter and olive oil, add the onion and cook over low heat until the onion is slightly soft and starting to turn translucent. Tip in the rice and stir until the grains are well coated.
- Add a ladleful of the hot stock and cook until the liquid has been absorbed, stirring constantly. Continue to add the stock, one ladleful at a time, making sure that all liquid is absorbed before adding more, stirring constantly. This should take around 20 minutes, give or take a few minutes. After the last ladle of stock is added tip in the peas. Once all of the liquid is absorbed add the fresh grated parmesan cheese and chopped mint and stir just to incorporate.
- Add a few fresh mint leafs and grated parmesan cheese to serve. Makes four generous servings.
- Add a ladleful of the hot stock and cook until the liquid has been absorbed, stirring constantly. Continue to add the stock, one ladleful at a time, making sure that all liquid is absorbed before adding more, stirring constantly. This should take around 20 minutes, give or take a few minutes. After the last ladle of stock is added tip in the peas. Once all of the liquid is absorbed add the fresh grated parmesan cheese and chopped mint and stir just to incorporate.
- Add a few fresh mint leafs and grated parmesan cheese to serve. Makes four generous servings.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Penne with Broccoli, Tomato and Chicken
For a few months now I have been trying to jump on the green bandwagon. Sometimes I make it on the wagon, sometimes I fall a few feet short and land in the dust. But I figure sometimes is better than never...right? I've started to try to buy organic when I can/remember, purposefully separate my recycling and use our compost bin as much as possible.
I started ordering from Abel and Cole back in the winter, when only root vegetables and apples seemed to make it in to my biweekly box of produce. Try as I might, I could never use everything in that weeks delivery before it went rotten. Now that summer is upon us and the contents of the box is getting more exciting and varied, I am making an effort to really use everything in the box before it goes bad. After all, its not very green to let this special-ordered-local-food go to waste.
Huh?
Huh?
One meal from this weeks fruit and veg box? Penne with Broccoli, Tomato and Chicken.
Fresh tomatoes + crisp broccoli + chicken + (basil + lemon + parmesan cheese) + bowtie pasta = a yummy summer dish that you can feel good about eating!
I used a very little amount of pasta and really upped the protein and veggie content of this dish. Its filling, fresh and comes together in a snap! The lemon and the basil really make this dish, they brighten up the whole thing - like sunshine on a plate. And who doesn't like sunshine? Seriously...is there anyone who doesn't like sunshine? That would be weird.
Penne with Broccoli, Tomato and Chicken
adapted from Epicurious.com
4 oz bowtie pasta (about 1.5 cups uncooked)
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets of equal size
3/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper
1 lb cherry tomatos, quartered
2 chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
Handfull of basil, chopped
Juice of one lemon
Parmesan cheese, to taste
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add the chicken and cook until just cooked on all sides. Add broccoli florets and crushed red pepper, cook until broccoli is crisp-tender (about 5 minutes). Add the tomatoes, lemon juice and half of the chopped basil.
- Drain the pasta and add to the vegetable and chicken mixture. Stir well to incorporate and heat through. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Freshly grate parmesan cheese over the whole dish, and once again on individual servings.
Mangia!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
An Afternoon in Montalcino
You might remember from our previous trip to Italy that we spent the last portion of our trip in Montalcino, in Tuscany. This last weekend during our trip to Italy we were technically staying in Montepulciano, another part of Tuscany, but we were within an hours journey of Montalcino. We fell in love with that area during our last trip and wanted to pay a visit to our favorite winery, Ciacci Piccolomini, and stock up on some Rosso and Brunello wine (mostly because the case that we had bought a mere 6 months earlier was completely depleted. Oops.)
We took our time driving through the Tuscan countryside, meandering through small towns and vineyards. One thing I have learned about traveling through Italy is that if you aren't on the A1 Autostrada, you are likely to be on a small, country road. The countryside was greener than our last visit - flowers were in bloom and the farm fields were bursting with new life.
It took us longer than we thought to make it to the vineyard and as we drove through the tiny town to make that last turn to reach it, we were stopped short by an elderly man wearing a neon orange vest.
"La strada e chiusa"
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