Hi All
So this morning we left for Florence. So sad to leave the Villa, but will have so many fond memory's to take with me...as well as 2 really good recipe books and a couple of kilos on the hips to show for it!
I shared a Taxi back to Florence with 3 others, the the ride costs R1,150 to Florence. We then dropped one person off at the airport. I then spent the day with 2 of my new friends who come from London, Angela and Sally. We shopped in Florence and then had lunch at a lovely little place in the centre of town. I tried to hunt down a leather bag, but could not find anything I really wanted to take home.
I then had to say goodbye to my new friends and head to the airport. I then left for Frankfurt and then from Frankfurt to Gothenberg where I met Ida and Darryl at the Airport at 23:42! It is wonderful to see the two of them again. It was raining here when I arrived, but still the city (even that late at night) was something to see. It is a stunning city!
Darryl and Ida have a lovely flat and they have such a wonderful life here in Sweden. What a stunning city to live in.
So then, 3 days in Gothenberg for me, cant wait.
Take care all
Regards
Deidre
Monday, September 3, 2007
Friday - And my very last cooking lesson at the Villa
Hi All
This is it, 2 weeks of bliss and hard work in the kitchen has come to an end today.
We have all been lazing about this morning having chats and just enjoying the Villa. Then one of the girls, Tanya asked me if I would like to join her for a walk.
So the two of us took a 2 hour walk, which was super. Hot and so many hills but really clears the mind and we got to talk about everything.
At 3 we started our very last cooking lesson with Laura. We made about 9 dishes for dinner. Laura had invited her sons along for dinner. We have a lovely dinner and good conversation. Last night is always a but sad as things have come to an end.
The food was really very good. We had a couple of repeat dishes from my Italian cooking course the previous week, but not to worry. Angela and I prepared lamb skewers that took us about 2 hours to put together as we had to remove all the fat and bones from the meat and then mince the Lamb ourselves!!! Won't be doing that anytime soon....I will ask the butcher to mince the meat for me. But then the end result was fantastic, they were so good we have finished them all. I will have to try this when I am home. We had that with Tzatsiki, which the 2 of us had also made, was very good.
Laura made a really good piece of Pork for us, done in the oven and stuffed with Wild Fennel and Sea salt and herb and loads of garlic. The meat was so tender and very juicy.
A couple of other interesting dishes, there were 2 pasta dishes that were very good. Stuffed Tomato's and a really good bell pepper salad.
Well that is it, the trip to Tuscany has come to an end. There will probably be more talk of food and drink but nothing that I have done at the Villa!
Hope you all had a wonderful day.
Deidre
This is it, 2 weeks of bliss and hard work in the kitchen has come to an end today.
We have all been lazing about this morning having chats and just enjoying the Villa. Then one of the girls, Tanya asked me if I would like to join her for a walk.
So the two of us took a 2 hour walk, which was super. Hot and so many hills but really clears the mind and we got to talk about everything.
At 3 we started our very last cooking lesson with Laura. We made about 9 dishes for dinner. Laura had invited her sons along for dinner. We have a lovely dinner and good conversation. Last night is always a but sad as things have come to an end.
The food was really very good. We had a couple of repeat dishes from my Italian cooking course the previous week, but not to worry. Angela and I prepared lamb skewers that took us about 2 hours to put together as we had to remove all the fat and bones from the meat and then mince the Lamb ourselves!!! Won't be doing that anytime soon....I will ask the butcher to mince the meat for me. But then the end result was fantastic, they were so good we have finished them all. I will have to try this when I am home. We had that with Tzatsiki, which the 2 of us had also made, was very good.
Laura made a really good piece of Pork for us, done in the oven and stuffed with Wild Fennel and Sea salt and herb and loads of garlic. The meat was so tender and very juicy.
A couple of other interesting dishes, there were 2 pasta dishes that were very good. Stuffed Tomato's and a really good bell pepper salad.
Well that is it, the trip to Tuscany has come to an end. There will probably be more talk of food and drink but nothing that I have done at the Villa!
Hope you all had a wonderful day.
Deidre
Thursday - our day off!
Hi all,
I am running behind on my blog once again! So will have to bring you up to speed.
Thursday was our day off. Sadly last night I was not feeling to well, it must have been the seafood at lunch time, as I later heard that some of the people cooking the mussels had forced the unopened one's open with a knife...well not all of us know how to work with seafood!!
So Thursday morning was spent recovering and just reading at the Villa in the shade. At about 13:15 I took a drive into town with 3 of my new friends. Angela, Sally and Greg. We had a very light lunch of mixed breads with a platter of Cheese and cold meats. I was feeling much better by this time, thank goodness.
We then went for a walk through the Castle of Poppi, what a stunning place. And it seems to be haunted by the ghost of a Countess who use to steal the young men of the village and have her way with them, once she had had enough of their company ;-) she had dropped the out of the castle from the tower. So the village people had then killed her to stop this. Lovely story isn't it?
We had climbed to the very top of the tower...so many stairs and it was so very hot. But once you are right at the top and you can see everywhere as far as possible, it is an amazing sight.
We had run into an English guy who was suited and looked so smart, he was waiting for his bride to, they were getting married in the Castle's chapel, romantic isn't it? He then invited the 4 of us to attend the wedding! Was sweet of him but clearly did not happen.
Then home for a swim. After a shower I had an evening out with 2 of the girls who work at the Villa and their kids. We went to a Pizzeria in Biblianno a little town just other side of Poppi. We had a super evening out, I got to see the locals out and we have a lovely time.
Then to bed!
Take care all
Will be sending the missing blogs very soon after this.
Deidre
I am running behind on my blog once again! So will have to bring you up to speed.
Thursday was our day off. Sadly last night I was not feeling to well, it must have been the seafood at lunch time, as I later heard that some of the people cooking the mussels had forced the unopened one's open with a knife...well not all of us know how to work with seafood!!
So Thursday morning was spent recovering and just reading at the Villa in the shade. At about 13:15 I took a drive into town with 3 of my new friends. Angela, Sally and Greg. We had a very light lunch of mixed breads with a platter of Cheese and cold meats. I was feeling much better by this time, thank goodness.
We then went for a walk through the Castle of Poppi, what a stunning place. And it seems to be haunted by the ghost of a Countess who use to steal the young men of the village and have her way with them, once she had had enough of their company ;-) she had dropped the out of the castle from the tower. So the village people had then killed her to stop this. Lovely story isn't it?
We had climbed to the very top of the tower...so many stairs and it was so very hot. But once you are right at the top and you can see everywhere as far as possible, it is an amazing sight.
We had run into an English guy who was suited and looked so smart, he was waiting for his bride to, they were getting married in the Castle's chapel, romantic isn't it? He then invited the 4 of us to attend the wedding! Was sweet of him but clearly did not happen.
Then home for a swim. After a shower I had an evening out with 2 of the girls who work at the Villa and their kids. We went to a Pizzeria in Biblianno a little town just other side of Poppi. We had a super evening out, I got to see the locals out and we have a lovely time.
Then to bed!
Take care all
Will be sending the missing blogs very soon after this.
Deidre
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Middel of the week
So today is a big one here. We have a cooking class in the morning as well as in the afternoon.
Cooking class this morning was a bit slow after our long day out yesterday but none the less still cooked up a storm!
For morning cooking class we prepared Spanish food. We made a really good Gazpacho which I will definitely make when I am back home it was very good.
Main dish we made was a Seafood Paella but all the seafood we added we prepared right from start. So cleaning and cooking. I was the lucky one and got to clean the squids, what a messy job! But still has not put me off in any way and if someone goes diving in future I will make a paella, promise! O we also added drumsticks to all of this, was really a fantastic meal and makes a good photo as well with all the colors.
Then no meal in Italy, lunch or dinner is complete without desert! So we made Crema Catalana, which was really good! And then just to spice things up we made Sangria to go with this meal. Very good.
Tonight we will be serving French.
We made a Baked Goats cheese salad, Sea Bass baked in a crust of salt, Ratatouille and then to keep in the theme of lean and slimming food you have been reading about over the last week and a half, we will finish off the meal with Molten Chocolate cake (which mostly is made out of 70% Coco Lindt Chocolate!) o yes and with that we have made a Lavender ice cream.
So dinner will be served in about 15minutes time and it is going to be a long evening with loads of good food and more good wine!
I have to say goodbye now, as I have some clothes on the line and it might rain soon so let me speed.
Will let you know how dinner was.
Hope you are all with your loved ones and having a super evening.
Take care
D
Cooking class this morning was a bit slow after our long day out yesterday but none the less still cooked up a storm!
For morning cooking class we prepared Spanish food. We made a really good Gazpacho which I will definitely make when I am back home it was very good.
Main dish we made was a Seafood Paella but all the seafood we added we prepared right from start. So cleaning and cooking. I was the lucky one and got to clean the squids, what a messy job! But still has not put me off in any way and if someone goes diving in future I will make a paella, promise! O we also added drumsticks to all of this, was really a fantastic meal and makes a good photo as well with all the colors.
Then no meal in Italy, lunch or dinner is complete without desert! So we made Crema Catalana, which was really good! And then just to spice things up we made Sangria to go with this meal. Very good.
Tonight we will be serving French.
We made a Baked Goats cheese salad, Sea Bass baked in a crust of salt, Ratatouille and then to keep in the theme of lean and slimming food you have been reading about over the last week and a half, we will finish off the meal with Molten Chocolate cake (which mostly is made out of 70% Coco Lindt Chocolate!) o yes and with that we have made a Lavender ice cream.
So dinner will be served in about 15minutes time and it is going to be a long evening with loads of good food and more good wine!
I have to say goodbye now, as I have some clothes on the line and it might rain soon so let me speed.
Will let you know how dinner was.
Hope you are all with your loved ones and having a super evening.
Take care
D
Tuesday - Day trip
Hi All
Once again thank you so much for all the emails and comments!!
There was a time earlier this week that I had decided to give up on blogging...just lazy, but after all the comments you have made and mailed me I will keep this as up to date as possible.
So Tuesday was our day trip day, once again. And as I am here for 2 courses I attended the exact same day trip as last week. So I won't bore you with all the detail you already have. There were some changes though which made it interesting for me as well. In stead of 2hours shopping in the town of Arezzo, we did a museum and cathedral tour. It truly is an amazing city and some of the Fresco's date all the way back to the early 1600. Our guide was wonderful, and recognized me from last week as well!!
As last week, this was a long day, but we had fun. Dinner was at the same restaurant as last week...thank goodness the meal wasn't the same! But this time we got to sit outside as it was not raining and the place has a great view of the town of Poppi and the Castle on the top of the hill, which is lit by night! Stunning.
Once we got back to the Villa, everyone went straight to bed.
Well hope you all had a super day and that things are well
Regards
Deidre
Once again thank you so much for all the emails and comments!!
There was a time earlier this week that I had decided to give up on blogging...just lazy, but after all the comments you have made and mailed me I will keep this as up to date as possible.
So Tuesday was our day trip day, once again. And as I am here for 2 courses I attended the exact same day trip as last week. So I won't bore you with all the detail you already have. There were some changes though which made it interesting for me as well. In stead of 2hours shopping in the town of Arezzo, we did a museum and cathedral tour. It truly is an amazing city and some of the Fresco's date all the way back to the early 1600. Our guide was wonderful, and recognized me from last week as well!!
As last week, this was a long day, but we had fun. Dinner was at the same restaurant as last week...thank goodness the meal wasn't the same! But this time we got to sit outside as it was not raining and the place has a great view of the town of Poppi and the Castle on the top of the hill, which is lit by night! Stunning.
Once we got back to the Villa, everyone went straight to bed.
Well hope you all had a super day and that things are well
Regards
Deidre
Monday, August 27, 2007
Finaly - Blog up to date.
Hi
It is Monday today and the 2nd day of my Mediterranean cooking course.
Today we have 2 cooking lessons! Yes, I know it is very hard work but someone has to do it...lol!
We had to prepare a 3 course French meal for lunch. It was okay, we made a Eggplant Caviar, which I could probably go through the rest of my life and never ever make again...to sweet.
Then we all got to make our own Focaccia's, wow!! As I said I need a outdoor pizza oven!!!
I made Tapendae today and it was really good, I had it on everything...lol!
For dinner we have prepared a Moroccan menu. Dinner is at 8 here and we get to try 1 white and 1 red wine every night from different areas in Italy. The menu for tonight looks good, and cooking lesson this afternoon was not to bad, so lets hope the food it great.
Hope you are all keeping well and that you have had a good start to the week.
Tomorrow we will be out from 9 in the morning until 11:30 in the evening on a day trip. Should be fun...as this is the second time I will be visiting everything (the groups get to do the same outing!) O well, I am sure I will still have loads of fun, even if it is just to see the area again.
Take care
Regards
Deidre
It is Monday today and the 2nd day of my Mediterranean cooking course.
Today we have 2 cooking lessons! Yes, I know it is very hard work but someone has to do it...lol!
We had to prepare a 3 course French meal for lunch. It was okay, we made a Eggplant Caviar, which I could probably go through the rest of my life and never ever make again...to sweet.
Then we all got to make our own Focaccia's, wow!! As I said I need a outdoor pizza oven!!!
I made Tapendae today and it was really good, I had it on everything...lol!
For dinner we have prepared a Moroccan menu. Dinner is at 8 here and we get to try 1 white and 1 red wine every night from different areas in Italy. The menu for tonight looks good, and cooking lesson this afternoon was not to bad, so lets hope the food it great.
Hope you are all keeping well and that you have had a good start to the week.
Tomorrow we will be out from 9 in the morning until 11:30 in the evening on a day trip. Should be fun...as this is the second time I will be visiting everything (the groups get to do the same outing!) O well, I am sure I will still have loads of fun, even if it is just to see the area again.
Take care
Regards
Deidre
Weekend in Casa Ombuto
Saturday was fairly sad as everyone I have been cooking with for the week had to leave, I am the only one staying for the following week in this group.
I spent the day reading and catching up on some much needed sleep!
Then in the late afternoon the new group of people arrived for the Mediterranean cooking course.
We had the welcome dinner on Saturday evening and I now feel like part of the furniture!
For this course I have a different chef. Her name is Laura and she is so different from Paula. Paula was a real Italian mama, she is out going and mad and very funny and everything was done really quickly and perfect! Paula has also offered to be a Mentor to me with my future plans, makes me teary just writing this. I am thrilled by this offer, she shares her advice and in sites so easily and freely.
Laura is a sweet Italian woman who is only now studying English and doing really well considering I only know about 10 Italian words. Allora being my favourite one which could have so many different meanings it is not funny!
Dinner was great and then off to bed another day complete.
Sunday spent the morning at the pool and yet again I look like a lobster! Body is a bit eina but should blow over in a day or two.
Sunday evening was our first cooking lesson with Laura. Pace is much slower than it was with Paula last week, also here we all work on one dish all at once and then only do we move on to the next on, and as we prepare 4 dishes every night is takes quite some time!
The food was really good.
Hope you have all had a super weekend and I heard that it has been raining in CT, I will bring some good weather to you when I return.
Take care all
D
I spent the day reading and catching up on some much needed sleep!
Then in the late afternoon the new group of people arrived for the Mediterranean cooking course.
We had the welcome dinner on Saturday evening and I now feel like part of the furniture!
For this course I have a different chef. Her name is Laura and she is so different from Paula. Paula was a real Italian mama, she is out going and mad and very funny and everything was done really quickly and perfect! Paula has also offered to be a Mentor to me with my future plans, makes me teary just writing this. I am thrilled by this offer, she shares her advice and in sites so easily and freely.
Laura is a sweet Italian woman who is only now studying English and doing really well considering I only know about 10 Italian words. Allora being my favourite one which could have so many different meanings it is not funny!
Dinner was great and then off to bed another day complete.
Sunday spent the morning at the pool and yet again I look like a lobster! Body is a bit eina but should blow over in a day or two.
Sunday evening was our first cooking lesson with Laura. Pace is much slower than it was with Paula last week, also here we all work on one dish all at once and then only do we move on to the next on, and as we prepare 4 dishes every night is takes quite some time!
The food was really good.
Hope you have all had a super weekend and I heard that it has been raining in CT, I will bring some good weather to you when I return.
Take care all
D
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