Travel for days, eat for weeks

I love to travel and explore the flavours of different countries. It is my intention to share some of the recipes from all my travels and inspire you to make them at home.   Some of my writing will focus on the recipes from the different regions of Italy.  I have been fortunate to travel up and down the boot several times.  Wherever I travel, I feel like I have eaten for weeks after a few days, and that is a good thing. Other than Italy, I have been lucky enough to travel to countries including China, Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Tunisia, Dominican Republic, Greece, Monaco, San Marino, Holland, England, Spain, Malta, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Mexico.  I will share some of my favourite recipes from these countries.

It doesn’t matter where in the world you go, a table calls.  It is the place we meet to taste, savour, enjoy, laugh, deconstruct, and share.

 

The table of the Veneto

One of my favourite places is the Veneto, where my good friends Antonio, Manuela and Piero live.  Piero has a small farm outside the town of Rovigo.  You can see here that it is very rustic. In the early 20th century, many families lived here.  Now the rooms all showcase Piero’s various wines and prosecco.

Each room has a barrel displayed with some wine.

Here is Piero with his stock.

The best part about being on the farm is the harvest of vegetables and the meal that is served each time we visit.  Piero sets up the tent for the outside feast.  We have the vegetables from the garden and, of course, an array of meats.

Piero takes his time adding those special touches.  We are on a farm, but he makes sure to add a table cloth and some candles for warmth and light.  Setting the table is an important part of the Italian culture and tradition.  Growing up, I remember my nonna always placing cloth napkins and teaching me where to place the cutlery.

A variety of meat cooks on the grill.  My favourite is the pancetta.  It is cooked simply with some oil, herbs, salt and pepper.

The meat gets cut and ready to go out to the table.

With my lovely friend Manuela at her villa!