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| The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper. – W.B. Yeats |
I just got home after close to two months of travel around the Mediterranean and I'm still reeling, in an excellent way! What is it about traveling to someplace new that makes all of your senses come alive?
First, there was a week in Sicily, where my students and I cooked and explored the north-eastern region around Catania. This part of Italy has such a diverse cuisine, so a lesson in making classic dishes, such as the sweet and sour eggplant dish called Caponata, from a local chef gave our taste buds fabulous bursts of flavor. Oh, and holy cannoli -- we made cannolis!! We learned that the trick to creating their perfectly crisp shell and light filling is to add some pork fat or lard. We didn't have to travel far for some excellent sight-seeing -- we could see the plumes of steam from Mt. Etna from our villa windows! Enjoying world-class wine at Benanti after hiking the mountain, put us over the top!
Then it was on to the Greek island of Syros…. Visiting less-traveled islands like Syros provides an opportunity to live (and eat!) like a local. We cooked in the outdoor kitchen at the home of my dear friends, the Mandilaras family, and made a mouth-watering moussaka and spit-roasted a whole lamb. We visited the sexy beach club called Ono Concept and tasted at the most amazing tavernas. It's hard to pick one highlight, but I think it had to be when we got a lesson in foraging and preserving capers! The best part, we each got to take a jar home!
After that, it was on to the northern part of Spain called La Rioja. This place is so near and dear to my heart. It's a fabulous region for food and wine, but the friends I've made here over the years are like family. And wow, can they cook! I asked them to help map out some activities for us to film for the show and they outdid themselves. We made the best paella along the River Oja over a wood fire and enjoyed it with plenty of Tempranillo vino. Lesson learned: stay upwind of the smoke. I had to air out my jacket for a week, but the odor brings back such great memories! Speaking of air, then there was a ride above it all in a hot air balloon! It was magical.
I can't wait to share these experiences with you on new episodes of the show. In the meantime, how about giving your senses a boost and trying a few of the recipes we prepared on the trip?
Happy Cooking!
Joanne |
Xox,
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