Before leaving Australia I asked Paola to book us a cooking course. She recommended a friend, Silvi. Originally Paola was going to spend the day with us too but unfortunately she tripped and hurt her foot. So Andrea, her husband, and she collected us this morning and drove us to Silvi’s house.
From the outside of Silvi and Manuel’s apartment building it seemed just like any other.
But entering you were in another world - Manuel had designed the renovation. This was his grandmother’s place which he inherited several years ago. With a small garden full of fruit trees and a herb garden.
Today’s task was to make a traditional Sardinian dish - Culurgiones all’ ogliastrina. Pasta filled with minted mashed potato and served with a tomato sauce, basil and pecorino cheese.
First we finely chopped the tomato, onion and garlic.
Next we mixed equal parts of plain and semolina flour with water and pulled and stretched until it was elastic enough. I was still feeling quite confident at this stage, although Mark was already becoming a little competitive.
Then we prepared the dough passing it through the machine several times to the desired thickness. We cut out circular shapes and added a teaspoon of potato mixture, which we had prepared beforehand.
Now came our undoing as Culurgiones are made in only one strict design but no matter how hard we tried and how patient Silvi was it was not to be.
Drinks and aperitifs on the terrace to recover.
Silvi and Manuel weaving their magic
A very pleasant lunch
So refreshing being in a lovely home and having a day with such an interesting couple.
Silvi is a librarian and Manuel in the Italian Navy but both have lots of other interests as well, like developing these cooking days with traditional foods and methods and working in the family vineyard.
Again, no dinner tonight!
M&M
1 comment:
Fabulous to have that opportunity.
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