CIBO E VINO

Tuscan cuisine was simply a gastronomical delight. Feasting on fresh vegetables, superb pecorino cheese from Pienza and drinking the finest Vino Noble from Montepulciano did not do wonders for our wasteline but was truly a treat. The Tuscan's like to cook simply and the flavors burst into your palette like a symphony.

We hired a professional cook, Doriana, to indulge us in Tuscan cuisine and she did not disappoint. Doriana, her husband, Claudio and their son, Andreas, the translator, presented us with a four course meal which they prepared in our kitchen. She cooked with fresh local ingredients.

Dorianna started as off with bruschetta and eggplant tapenade. It sounds simple but when you bite into the crispy Tuscan bread topped with fresh tomatoes drizzled with locally produced deep emerald green extra virgin olive oil, you find yourself immediately wanting more. The eggplant and mushroom tapenade were out of this world delicious.

Doriana's second course was a spinach and pecorino cheese souffle. Again, we just had to ask for more and it kept coming. Just as we thought we had to take a little rest from the gastronomic delight, our third course was served. Doriana's fresh pasta with either vegetable or meat ragu was simple yet savory. The fresh tomatoes combined with the strong purple fresh basil was devine. We were so full but refused to put our forks down until the last morsel was wiped off our plate.

The final course was Doriana's signature Grandma's Cake. This heavenly cake was baked with pignoli and almond and had a rich custard center which was served warm. It looked deceivingly heavy it but turned out to be sumptuously light and gratifying. Truly, the meal was cooked with LOVE.

As for the VINO, you can buy inexpensive but very drinkable Sangiovese wine for Euro 1.49 at the supermarket and not get a hangover the next day. Or you can purchase the better Vino Noble variety from nearby Montepulciano which cost about Euro 10 per bottle but was delightfully smooth and drank like a much more expensive bottle.

The Italians are passionate about their wines with several local garagiste producers selling inexpensive but good quality wines.

For as much fresh Cibo (food) and Vino consumed in Tuscany, I could not help but notice how slim and fit the local people appeared. I can only deduce that lack of fast foods and the freshness of the ingredients that go into the Tuscan diet lend to a healthier lifestyle.

Stay tuned for more Happy Indulgences...