"...Excellent Field Trip..." Post 8

Rainy Days and Gastronomical Delight

The weather has been just about perfect, both here in Italy and in Germany, the past 10 days.  Yesterday the Tuscan hillside was blanketed with dark clouds and rain, which did not put a damper on activities.  

The Vinci museums highlighted all the magnificent inventions as well as painting and sculptures created by Leonardo da Vinci.  Over the years we'd seen a number of his more famous pieces of art but I had paid very little attention to his inventions.  I honestly think the man never slept--or if he did, his dreams will filled to the brim with ways life could be made better with some invention.  I would put his invention of various ways to spin yarn and create cloth on par with the printing press.  What we use today is not a whole lot different than what he created in the 15th century.  Quite remarkable.

Cuoche in Vancanza came to the Agriturismo last night and cooked what can only be called a gastronomical delight.  The chef, Erika Elia, and her assistant, Roxana, were warm and welcomed our questions as we trickled in and out of the kitchen to ask what they were doing.  We applauded every course and are seriously considering changing our Thanksgiving menu to the fried dough appetizer.  (We've got to do a little more research to get the correct name.)  Not only did they cook, Erika and Roxana set the table, served the various courses, cleared, did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen!  But they and their culinary creations were the stars of the evening.  Grazie molto , Cuoche in Vacanza!

Today the sun is already high in the sky and the last few days here are sadly on the horizon.  No doubt we will make the most of them.
The tables being set for dinner

Here begins the cast of characters:
Jeanie and Bill, married 50 years this September

With all the grands

German son Nico and his 4 children: (l to r) Clara, Henry, Louisa, Reike and the Nicest Dog in the World, Julie

Daughter Marcy, son-in-law Marty and their 4 children: (l to r) Maggie Rose (our Goddaughter), Millie (in Marcy's arms), Luke, Lucy

Son Tyson, daughter-in-law Alison and their 2 daughters: (l to r) Gwen and Eleanor

Daughter McB, son-in-law John and their 2 daughters: (l to r) Caitlin and Lillie

son TD

The siblings

Jeanie, Bill and their children

The entire cast of characters

Appetizers

Chef Erika

Bruschetta and a Tuscan sausage/cheese combination

The aforementioned fried dough, hot and salty and delicious

The pan of homemade gnocchi

Not a gnocchi was left on a plate

Tuscan pork.  It was seared in a pan with rosemary, garlic and a lot of butter.  Milk was added, brought to boiling.  Boiled for 14 minutes per pound of meat.  Remove from heat for a few minutes, then take meat out of sauce, cover with tin foil.  Gravy is made by adding a roux to the sauce.  Beyond delicious.

This sunset finished up the evening.



Oh, yeah, and the homemade cannoli as well.

Part of the crowd with the chefs: (l to r) Tyson, Roxana, Jeanie, Bill, McB, TD, Erika, moi, Marcy

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