Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Grateful Thanksgiving

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Grateful as in Grateful Dead.

 

I had a post-race “Friendsgiving” at one of my favorite local restaurants – Rosebud.  How is that related to the Dead?  Rosebud is named for one of Jerry Garcia’s guitars, the one he played in his last show in July of 1995.

A celebratory glass of sparkling with our (now empty) app plates

 

Ron Eyester, the chef and owner, put together one incredible (and HUGE) Thanksgiving feast.

We began with an appetizer consisting of Pimento Cheese, Trail Mix, Smoked Trout Pate, Housemade Pickled Vegetables, and crackers dusted with something spicy (cayenne?).  The Pimento Cheese was our favorite, with the trail mix in a close second (I love those wasabi things).  The Trout Pate was the only miss of the meal.

 

Next up was the main event.  The way the special menus worked you could choose Sage, Apple & Honey Roasted Turkey or Housemade Berkshire Ham with Mexican Coke Glaze.  Then you chose 3 sides from a list of 12.  There were 3 of us at lunch, which meant we could try all but 3 sides.  And so we did.

I chose the turkey with Brioche & Herb Stuffing (yes it was as good as it sounds), Cider & Maple Braised Brussels, and Red Wine & Balsamic Braised Mushrooms.  It was all wonderful.  The stuffing bordered on being bread pudding – a good thing in my book!  Turkey has never been my cup o’ tea, but Ron’s turkey was nearing perfection.  Not the least bit dried out and perfectly flavored.  I loved the sage!

 

Carla’s also chose the turkey and brussels, but ordered the Buttermilk Whipped Potatoes and Baby Carrots with Fennel, Citrus, and Cardamom.  The carrots were one of my favorite sides; they were left fairly crisp and the hints of fennel and citrus made for a fun flavor.

 

Corinne chose the ham.  It was good, but I’m glad I didn’t get it.  A little too sweet as a main for my taste, but if you like honey-baked ham you would love it.  Her sides included the Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Ginger & Sweet Chili, Green Beans with Fresh Garlic and Sea Salt, and Mexican Coke Braised Local Greens with Smoked Ham Bone.  I don’t even know how to choose a favorite.  Maybe the beans?!  I really appreciated how they kitchen left the veggies with some bite rather than cooking them to the point of soggy (all too often the case).

 

Since all of this clearly wasn’t enough food, Ron sent us a plate of the 3 sides we didn’t order (he really is the nicest angry chef in ATL).  Our last 3 tastes:  Mac n’ Cheese, Duck Fat & Thyme Fingerling Potatoes, and Truffled Cream Corn.  The mac and cheese was done with Tillamook Cheddar and couldn’t have been more delicious.  We all agreed the corn was also pretty amazing – and none of us are big on creamed corn!

 

Everyone had a favorite potato – I don’t know if he did it on purpose, but Ron offered the 3 major potato “types” so there was something for everyone.  I was all about the whipped sweet potatoes.

 

My favorite course is always last – dessert!  Chocolate Tart, Bread Pudding with Dried Cherries, Salted Browned Butter Cookies, and Apple Cake with Cardamom Cream.  I love chocolate… but those cookies are my favorite.  I’m convinced he puts crack in them.

 

A “Friendsgiving” lunch at Rosebud was the perfect race recovery meal.  But I had to get home to make the treat you saw in Friday’s post to bring to a Thanksgiving potluck dinner (big revel tomorrow… suspense, I know).  Because one gluttonous holiday meal is never enough. 😉

______________________________________________________________________________________

Speaking of gluttony… it’s Monday recap time.

Last week brought 2 big accomplishments – the Thanksgiving Half Marathon and I did my 100 push-ups EVERY DAY.  That’s 700 push-ups last week!!!  3 accomplishments if you count the fact that I took TWO rest days.

Looking ahead, I’m ready cut back on the running for a while.  My focus will be more on weights and kickboxing – just in time for the arrival of more winter-like weather (I can’t stand to run in the cold).

 

Workout Recap (11/21-11/27)

  • Monday – 30 mins stationary bike intervals, Biceps/Back, 100 push-ups
  • Tuesday – 2 mile run, 2 mile walk, 100 push-ups 
  • Wednesday – Tris/Chest, Ab Ripper X, 100 push-ups
  • Thursday – Half Marathon, 100 push-ups 
  • Friday – 100 push-ups
  • Saturday – 2 mile walk, 100 push-ups
  • Sunday – Kickboxing, 100 push-ups

***

 I promise some healthier foods are coming… after tomorrow dessert post!

Have you ever eaten your Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant?

Do your workouts change in the winter months?

 

Rockstar Riff On Spaghetti + WIAW

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My sister is a rockstar.

Which is the goose and which is the fox?

Alli played a local venue on Monday night with her boyfriend, Noah.  It was an open mic contest (well-known for launching John Mayer’s career).  They didn’t win but I think they were one of the best.  There is just SO much talent in Atlanta.

Alli and Noah’s band is called Goose & Fox.  Check them out on YouTube!  Shameless plug of one of my favorite songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-gxzyUd51U

 

Given that we have a huge food-focused holiday one day away, it seems funny to be posting a tame WIAW… but at least it involves balls!

Check out Peas and Crayons to see how everyone else pre-gamed Thanksgiving on Jenn’s What I Ate Wednesday.

Pre-Breakfast:

I made a late-night post-concert trip to Kroger for melting chocolate so I could coat more Red Wine Cake Balls!  They looked so pretty and smelled so good… they were calling my name!  So I may have pre-gamed breakfast with balls…

Don’t judge me.

The winner so far has been these Red Wine Balls, but the Sparkling have received a ton of votes.  It comes down to preference.  Do you prefer your… desserts… sweet and white or dark and rich?

Pass the dark and rich over here.

Breakfast:

In preparation for the Thanksgiving Half, I’m loading up the carbs and protein.  This morning’s oatmeal with egg whites hit the spot.

Check out that nut butter good-ness!

In my Oats:

  • 1/2 C oatmeal
  • 1/2 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/4 C water
  • Shake of salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/4 C blueberries
  • Scoop of Cinnamon Cacao Nut Butter

Prepare oatmeal according to package instructions.  When almost done, quickly whip in the egg white.  Add blueberries.  Transfer to bowl and top with nut butter – I used Cinnamon Cacao Nut Butter I made yesterday.

Delicious and super filling thanks to the protein and “good” fat.

Lunch:

Just before lunch, I jogged to the Thanksgiving Half Expo to get my number.  Only 1 more day – eek!  I signed up with the 1:45 pace team.  In hindsight, that may be a little ambitious.  Guess I’ll find out tomorrow.

On the way back I passed Evos, a small chain that claims to make a healthier burger.

Their fries are air baked, burgers are made with naturally raised beef, milkshakes use organic milk and sugar – they even offer fruit shakes!

I settled on a Veggie Garden Burger.  The vegetarian patty was pretty good (they also offer a vegan variety) – plenty of veggie and bean chunks in it (a must IMHO).

I really enjoyed the avocado spread, but the BEST part was the ketchup.  They make their own flavors – Original, Cayenne,  Mesquite, and Garlic.  The garlic was pretty fantastic. 🙂

The problem was the bun – it was one of those sticky, chewy grocery store buns with the sesame seeds on top.  Change the bun and I’ll come back, Evos.

The lady at the counter was really patient nice and let me sample an air baked french fry.  I didn’t order my own, but they were pretty good!  They tasted a lot like McDonald’s (which I haven’t had in years… but they remain my favorite)  but only have 170 calories and 5g of fat.  No, it’s not a health food but it is a healthier option when you want to indulge.

Dinner:

One of the most creative bloggers I know, Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen, created this vegan, “adult” version of Spaghetti-O’s.  Sarah is also the queen of repurposing items to create the coolest dishes (airplane bottle of V8 –> tomato-vegetable soup?!).

Eying the last of a carton of Trader Joe’s Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup, I channeled my inner Smart Kitchen and went to work.

See my bastardized modified version at the end of this post.

Snacks:

Lucky (pre-race moment of brilliance?) me scheduled a late-afternoon massage!  It was one of the best I’ve had in a loooong time.

I made a quick pre-massage protein shake to tide me over until dinner.  It was my basic: spinach, protein powder, almond milk, almond extract, and banana (trying to get the potassium in).

This is all that was left when I remembered to take a pic.

A massive Asian Pear and pomegranate made up a great “dessert.”  I cut the pear into bite-sized pieces and sprinkled it with fresh pomegranate seeds, freshly ground cinnamon, and a teensy bit of paprika.

Normally I scoff at the idea of fruit for dessert, but this was shockingly satisfying.

Saucy Soup & Spaghetti

  • 1.5 C TJ’s Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup
  • 2 T nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ancho chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 servings pasta (I used a veggie-laced fettuccine)

Prepare pasta according to the package.

Meanwhile, combine first 6 ingredients in small pot and warm over med-high heat.

When pasta is cooked, drain and pour into 2 bowls.  Top with soup-sauce, garnish to taste with red pepper flakes and fresh black pepper.

Makes 2 servings.

***

Things will probably be slow going in the blog world over the next few days.  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday filled family, food, and fun.  Safe travels and successful turkey runs!

What are your holiday plans?  Travel?  Races?

What dish are you most excited about tomorrow?

Game Day Inspired Dinner

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Underground dinners are my favorite.

 

The “secret” suppers have exploded in Atlanta and – from what I hear – across the country.  They are meals prepared by local (mostly) aspiring chefs for a small group of people lucky enough to catch wind of the event.  I’ve been to quite a few and always come away inspired and with several new friends.

 

Push Start Kitchen has been my favorite so far.  I’ve only been to two (click here for the details of that event), but hope to have the opportunity to attend more.  Atlanta local Zach Meloy and his Costa Rican wife Christina prepare a thoughtful menu full of unique flavor combinations.  (Think Southern meets Latin).

When I received the email about Zach’s November dinner, I knew I had to go.  He was preparing a menu inspired by stadium traditions!  You guys know I love my football.

 

It happened to be held on my friend Jessica’s birthday (check out the gluten-free meatball guest post she wrote for me here), and I was excited to share the experience with my friend.

 

The evening began with a delicious tequila and pear cocktail, accompanied by Zach’s take on corn nuts.  These were tossed in an addicting sweet-spicy sauce.  I may have eaten more than my share.

 

Next up was the soup course.  We were given bowls with granola (he uses Trader Joe’s), pickled carrot, buttermilk panna cotta, and chipotle molasses.  That alone was a gorgeous showing!

 

Zach then circled the table, pouring celery root soup atop each plating.  It was a perfect combination of textures and flavors – crunchy granola, vinegar-laced carrots, subtle sweetness of the panna cotta, and the fantastic smoky heat from the chipotle molasses were all tied together with the earthy, rich celery soup.  He needs to start serving seconds!

I could have died happy after this, but we still had the main course to come!

 

Slow cooked chicken, with crispy onion, grain mustard panade, roasted red cabbage, and pretzel puree.  Yes it was as good as it sounds.

Zach’s chicken was the most perfectly cooked meat I’ve ever put in my mouth.  That’s no small feat. The grain mustard had just the right amount of tang with the ballpark-salty pretzel puree.

Some people turn up their noses at the idea of ordering chicken in restaurants because it’s so “pedestrian.”  I always argue that – like eggs – if a chef can prepare it perfectly, it’s the sign of real talent.

 

You know when you don’t want to finish a dish or drink because it’s so good you don’t want  it to end?  Our stadium meal was one I was sad to see end.  Alas, it was time for dessert.

Mexican hot chocolate cake with malt ice cream, dulce de leche with black salt, and kettle corn.

 

The cake was good, but he could have made the dessert entirely of the homemade ice cream, popcorn, and the smoky black salted caramel.  Lately I’ve posted a lot about my love of sweet-salty or savory combos and this hit the spot!  I swear I didn’t make special requests.

Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of Jessica’s dessert.  She is gluten-free, so Zach prepared a caramelized banana dish for her that looked fabulous.  She didn’t offer to share.  He even put a candle in it!

 

The meal ended with a thick berry cordial and a sweet Latin candy rolled in crushed almonds, dipped and coated on the spot.  Two desserts = just my style.

 

The night didn’t end there, but this post does!

***

Thanks to all for a second Top 9 this week!  Check out my Sparkling Cake Balls on FoodBuzz by clicking here.

What is your favorite stadium food?

What chef would prepare the meal at your dream supper club?

 

Friday at 5

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I mean… 5 for Friday.

Someone is ready for the weekend!

 

Here are five things that make me happy this week:

1. Special Delivery From Italy

 

 

The wine I had shipped back from my trip arrived today!  It was all I could do not to stay home and sample them all.

 

 

2. Oatmeal on Chilly Mornings

The weather here has been so weird, but I think the crisp air is here to stay this time.

 

 

In my bowl:

  • Oats
  • Almond milk
  • Cinnamon
  • Cottage cheese
  • Peanut Flour
  • Blueberries

 

3. Holiday Baking

 

 

Sparkling Cake Balls were the winners this week.  Next week, a post on what was in that mystery picture I posted Monday.

Annnnd…. another balla cake ball flavor coming soon…

 

4. Blogger Meet Ups

 

Left to right: Alayna, Me, Kristy, Stacy, Brooke, Carol, Traci, Lee, Tina, Heather, and Heather (and Tracy, not pictured)

 

ATL blogger get togethers are the best… Imma be tired in the morning though!  Special thanks to Tuk Tuk for hosting and Kristy for getting us the hook up.

The food was good, the service was above and beyond!

 

 

…and thanks to the guys at the bar who bought us all shots. 🙂

 

5. Lunchtime Core Class, Followed by Body Pump

 

 

Killa way to jump start the afternoon.  I work SO much more efficiently if I can workout midday.

***

I’m going to Atlanta’s largest museum for a jazz and cocktail event tonight.  Which is exciting, but making this day ever so long.

What has made you happy this week?

Do you work better if you can take a little mid-afternoon break?

 

Pumpkin Pie BYOgurt + WIAW

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Some things make being on the road all week a little better.

 

Check out the Roasted Pumpkin in the top left corner of this screen shot of today’s FoodBuzz Top 9 – its my roasted pumpkin from this post!!!  🙂

Another thing that makes a long week brighter is my favorite weekly event – Jenn @ Peas and Crayons‘ What I ate Wednesday.  Here’s my WIAW (technically Tuesday… but whatever).

Breakfast #1:

Pumpkin Zucchini Muffin… recipe coming soon to a blog near you!

Breakfast #2:

Remember the Sweet Potato BYOB Greek Yogurt?  Same idea, same Sky mag (the new one wasn’t out until the flight home – SJP looks amazing in it!), different flavors.

Pumpkin Greek Yogurt

Pumpkin Greek Yogurt with Fage.  I think the secret is using a thick yogurt (this may also help when getting through security!) and not being afraid to add spices/flavors.  Shout out to almond extract and ginger in this cup.  YUM.

You should have see the guys next to me on the plane wondering WTF I was doing taking multiple pics of my BYOgurt. 🙂

Full recipe at the end of this post.

The St. Louis airport was especially festive after the Cardinals big World Series win!

Lunch:

Lunch today was from a deli in the bottom of an office building.  It is barely worth mentions and certainly not worth picturing.  Over-salted but otherwise flavorless vegetable soup and a dry roll.

I would have rather had my Wild Mushroom Soup from last week.

Snacks: 

Unpictured pretzels and an apple on the plane.  I did get a shot of a gorgeous sunset.

Dinner:

Totally made up for lunch.

My boss and I had to work late.  Since we were at the airport already, we decided to check out One Flew South in the ATL airport.  It was recently featured in Food & Wine!

There weren’t any vegetarian options on the menu, but they did have tofu in a salmon dish.  I asked the server if they would make a tofu-only dish and they surprised with me an amazing tofu-veggie sauté.  It included sweet potato straws, butternut squash, snow peas, carrots, fennel, spinach, and shittake mushrooms over a parsnip puree.  Absolutely delicious.

Dessert was fantastic – Banana Pudding with ‘Nilla Wafers.  So much so that I forgot to take a picture until there was barely a bite left in the jar.

I had NO idea airport food could be this good!

Homemade Pumpkin Greek Yogurt

Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt

Mix all ingredients together in bowl or recycled yogurt container.  For best results, let refrigerate 1-2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld.

Add toppings as desired.  Mine included: pomegranate seeds and these Cardamom Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.

Get through security and enjoy your yogurt-pie as a reward!

As part of the Foodbuzz Featured Publisher program, I have been entered for the chance to win a trip to Greece courtesy of FAGE. You too can enter to win one of three trips to Greece by entering the FAGE Plain Extraordinary Greek Getaway here: http://www.fageusa.com/community/fage-greek-getaway

***

As always, check out Peas and Crayons to see the tastiness everyone else ate today!

What is your favorite seasonal flavor?  Eggnog?  Hot Chocolate?  A pie of sorts?

What airport do you think has the best food?

Eating Through Siena

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Today the Italian adventures continue in Siena.

I took a little recap break to post some of the dishes I’ve made.  Some – like this and this – were inspired by my travels… only I made them like your vegan-ish Italian grandmother would. 🙂

The Tuscan region was home to some of the best food on the trip.  Certainly the best gelato!

In order to get to Siena, we braved the overnight trains (not recommended without a seat reservation… using the restroom on the train also not recommended) and arrived in Siena sometime around 6am.  Thank god our room was ready early and we were able to take a nap before exploring the city.

Despite the train-lag, we got moving in time for lunch.  The view from our room had me bouncing out of bed!

For lunch we followed a Rick Steve’s recommendation that promised vegetarian fare (we were deprived of veggies after all that travel).  He was spot on – this Osteria was awesome!

The servers were very nice (and patient).  One was even wearing a Fenway Park shirt.  The veggies were just what we needed to begin the day:

We wandered through town before resting at the main piazza to enjoy a coffee while people-watching.  Followed by gelato (banana and nutella for me).

Next on the agenda was the Duomo (the tallest point you can see in the pic of our view from the hotel room).  They sell a pass for the whole artistic complex of “Opera della Metropolitana di Siena” for 10 Euro!  Sold.

In the opera museum we were able to view some incredible paintings, sheet music from operas, and sculptures.  It still blows my mind to think the history behind it all.  From the museum there is a long, winding staircase to the top of a tower offering a view that will take your breath (so will all those stairs!).

 The 10 Euro tour then took us inside the Cattedrale, followed by the Cripta below.  I was most excited about the crypt, but they must have been renovating because much of it was blocked off or not labeled (unmarked mounds containing bodies = not as exciting).

The cathedral was stunning.  I was back to my over-used phrase: This doesn’t even look real!

At this point my camera died… which didn’t stop me from making everyone pose for a pic in the Battistero (a smaller church housing works from many of the greatest Renaissance sculptors).

 Dead cameras don’t end the day – we hauled it back to out hotel to re-charge batteries – electronic and our own.  We had met a friend along the way earlier in the day who promised us a delicious dinner.

He was the chef at a restaurant we had also found via Rick Steve: Antica Osteria da Divo.  If you are ever in Siena, I highly recommend this place.  It’s a gorgeous dining room and the food is top-notch.

Beautiful setting

2007 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico

Rolled zucchini filled with pecorino cheese from Pienza and kale served over caramelized red onions

Scallops browned with citrus-bread crumbs, served over pumpkin cream and watercress

Risotto with fresh Porcini mushrooms and Saffron served table-side in a form of demi-seasoned pecorino cheese

I almost asked for seconds

Hand-rolled Senese pasta with Selvatic meat (Wildboar-Venison-Deer) sauce, “Taggiasche” olives, juniper berries and rosemary-scented crispy bread

Rolled pork stuffed with spinach and fresh pecorino cheese, truffle sauce and caramelized scallions

Rolled pan biscuit ,vanilla cream, and pear cooked in Chianti Classico with a caramel net

A picture cannot begin to do that dessert justice.  It was a work of art.

Feeling fat and happy, we took a walk back to our hotel.  The chef and waiter invited us for drinks,  but we were still tired from the train and needed to wake up early.  The next day would bring a trip to Montalcino to learn about Brunello wine.*

*This is the part of the trip where we hijacked a tour bus.  No joke.  Check back for the rest of that story. 🙂

***

Pretty please vote for my Biscoff Cookie Dough Balls by clicking here and “liking” (via Facebook) my entry in Delta’s Biscoff Bake-Off.  You can vote 1x per day!!!  Thanks for all of your votes so far!

Do you enjoy going to museums when you travel or are you more of an unorganized explorer?

What are you going to be for Halloween?

Wine-ing Down in Barolo, Italy

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Today is dedicated to one of my favorite wines: Barolo.

I didn’t know it was one of my favorites until I was able to taste some incredible bottles in Barolo, Italy.

Barolo is a teeny town about 9 miles outside of Alba.  And it is stunningly beautiful.

It’s so small that you can walk around from winemaker to winemaker, tasting as you go.  The vineyards are outside the small city center (the best are from Connubi), but the tasting rooms are in the Commune.  (Note: many times in Italy a tasting room is actually someone’s living room.)

Our first stop of the day was E. Pira & Figli.  Pira is run by a woman named Chiara – the first female maker of Barolo!  There are now more, but Chiara remains one of the only 2 organic Barolo makers.  They only produce ~12,000 bottles a year.

We were given a tour of the facility by Chiara’s sister-in-law (Chiara was being interviewed by a couple of Danish reporters).

Then we tasted!  These wines were nothing like most of the organic varieties we see in America… they were good!

We tasted 4 wines:

  • Barolo Cannubi
  • Barolo Via Nuova
  • Barbera d’Alba
  • Dolcetto d’Alba (not pictured)

This list is essentially in ranked order, with Barolo Cannubi being the “best.”  They were all good though.  Dolcetto is more of a table wine; a light and drinkable juice.  Barbera is more commonly found in America, though the price point here is about what you’d pay for a Barolo in Italy.  It is a good wine – bright and plumy, perfect with pastas and cheeses.

Barolo made from grapes grown on the Cannubi hill are considered to be of the highest quality.  It is aged 2 years in French oak and then an additional year in the bottle.  It is a big, spicy wine with some chewy fruit flavor (big reds are the way to my heart).  Perfect with flavorful dishes of steak or truffles.  Delizioso.

Check out what we found on Chiara’s shelves:

We go all the way to Italy only to find a license plate from the state we live in… seriously?!  I can’t make this stuff up.

Chiara came over to speak with us after the reporters left.  She was so sweet and full of energy an passion.  Such an open person… I’m not sure how else to describe her aura than refreshing.

Me, Chiara, and Corinne

We ate an unremarkable lunch (yes, there were a few) and then set off to the next winemaker: Scarzello.

We tasted 4 wines:

  • Barolo Cannubi
  • Barolo Vigna Merenda
  • Barbera d’Alba Superiore
  • Nebbiolo (not pictured)

The wines were fantastic, but this experience was especially amazing.  We ended up sitting around their living room table, chatting with the winemaker’s wife for a long time.  She was such a sweet women, and we spoke about everything from her son (also a winemaker) to relationships.

We bonded and cheered with a glass of the best.  These pictures are now next to the word “content” in the dictionary.

I didn’t want to leave, but we couldn’t take up her entire afternoon.  We had some time to kill and went to the town museum.  The museums was, of course, located in a castle.   It had some of the best views we saw on the trip.  I can’t say the same for the “museum” quality.

We could have hung out in the commune and tasted all night, but our driver (yes, a driver – clearly we didn’t need to drive after crashing these) arrived to take us to Serralunga, another town in the zone.  It seemed unlikely that the day could get any better… but it did!

Our Serralunga tasting was with Anselma Giacomo.  It was conducted by the sweetest women I’ve ever met, Maria.  Maria is the wife of Franco Anselma, the winemaker.

Maria gave us  lovely tour, showing us the garden she plans to build and telling us some of the history of the old town and winery (founded in early 1900).  We even got to try out an old wine corking “machine.”

We tasted 5 wines, but the 3 Barolo were especially excellent, accompanied by Nebbiolo grapes and some great meats and cheeses.

  • Dolcetto
  • Nebbiolo
  • Barbera d’Alba
  • 2006 Barolo
  • 2005 Barolo
  • 2004 Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva

The velvety, full-bodied Riserva was my favorite.  Maria told us it was a wine to meditate with.  And so I did.  And then I meditated some more when she handed us a bowl of chocolate to taste it with.  OMG.

On to dinner!  Man Woman cannot live on meat and cheese alone.

We had reservations next to the castle at a restaurant called Schiavenza.  They too make wine (not an uncommon story over there), so we had a tasting with dinner.

Roasted peppers with sardines, omelet with ricotta and spinach, raw ball of meat (no, I didn’t eat it), and veal with tuna cream

Tajarin with ragu and plin

Beef with Barolo sauce, polenta, and carrots

Dessert Barolo is pretty amazing

It’s even better poured over ice cream and served with chocolate mousse cake

Remind me again why I came home?!  I want to move here.

***

I’m going to see Sugarland tonight!!!

What are you doing this weekend?  Any races?

Have you ever poured booze over dessert?  Chambord + ice cream is awesome.

A Michelin Star Day in Italy

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It would have been fun to post a What I Ate Wednesday from Italy…

My first in-person pomegranate tree!

… but I just couldn’t bring myself to sit down and write when there was so much to explore.

So today, 2 weeks later, I bring you: What I Ate on a Wednesday in Italy.

Breakfast:

Typical European tourist fare consists of pastries, cheese, and cured meats.  The novelty wears off after 1-2 days.

At least we know the Nutella is fresh!

Cheese selection (thankfully no stinky cheese!)

Breakfast of champions

That Robiola Rocchetta cheese was pretty amazing.  It is native to the Piedmont region and would be fantastic with the local Barolo wine.  It is a layered, creamy cheese made from goat’s, cow’s, and sheep’s milk.  It’s structure is reminiscent of a brie – pliable rind with a dense, semi-soft texture inside.

FYI – this is what you get if you order a latte in Italy:

Cup of hot milk

Lunch:

Most days this consisted of more cured meat and cheese with bread sticks… served at a wine tasting. 🙂

I should have my cholesterol checked

Snack:

We had a mandatory daily snack of gelato.

Like a kid in a candy shop…

Dinner:

My favorite meal of the trip was at Il Cascinalenuovo, and Michelin star restaurant just outside of Asti.  The restaurant is part of a family-run B&B.  We were lucky to have a tour of the kitchen with Chef Walter.

Upon arrival we were greeted by Walter’s niece, Alice.  Alice was so much fun to talk to and hosted us all evening.  Her father is the front of house and wine expert in the restaurant.

Alice with her father

Chef sat with us for quite sometime, asking about our backgrounds and telling us about his inspirations.  He admitted to being surprised that we are “young and skinny.”

He was expecting “fat old ladies.”  Direct quote – I can’t make this stuff up.

Me, Chef Walter, and Corinne

He told us the story of when he was invited to California to cook for a United Nations event where he worked alongside greats as Wolfgang Puck.  Puck introduced him to Asian-fuision and inspired one of the dishes we would be eating.  I love hearing the stories behind techniques and dishes.

The kitchen was having dinner when we arrived, so Alice showed us to the pool patio for aperitifs.

Sparkling wine, tripe, toast with fig jam and Rocchetta, salami balls, and mini-pizzas

Walter came out again to give us a kitchen tour.  He thoughtfully explained each station and process.  Chef Walter is a big fan of preparing meats sous vide.

We were even able to stand in the back to watch the first order being coordinated!

The kitchen was quite tolerant of our paparazzi-like behavior.

We sat down for dinner an elected to let Chef Walter surprise us rather than ordering off the menu.

We do know how to order well!

La tavola (the table)

This turned out to be the best meal of the trip.

The starter alone was mind-blowing: a perfectly silky pumpkin soup with Parmesan gelato.

Followed by the dish inspired by Wolfgang Puck: Sesame-encrusted Amberjack fish with julienned fresh vegetables, wasabi, and passion fruit sauce.

Next was Chef Walter’s signature dish, created in 1987.  It has become his signature dish.  Normally we’d be leery of the ingredients, but this was on a whole new plateau of deliciousness.  Corinne nearly licked her plate.  

Veal tongue and foie gras millefoglie with port wine jelly and balsamic reduction 

Check out this wine glass – the bubble ring makes it perfect to swirling/smelling.

I’m on a mission of find a set for myself!

This texture combination in the next dish was divine: quail egg, duck carpaccio, marinated porcini mushrooms served atop a bed of butter lettuce.

Last was the region’s Tajarin pasta (homemade) served with porcini and finfirli’s mushrooms.

Did I say last?!  I meant last dish before dessert.  2 girls = 3 desserts.

Chef Walter clearly knows the way to my heart.  He even made one with almond milk!!!

Pineapple carpaccio, ricotta with candied orange, and strawberries

Almond milk “panna cotta” with pistachios and candied nuts

I can’t begin to name all of this… truffles, macaroons, chocolate-covered gooseberries… it was sheer bliss

Thank god we had a driver because a food coma immediately ensued.

Thank you, Ferretto family, for an evening we’ll never forget!

***

I still swoon just thinking of this meal.

Have you ever had a meal so good it brought tears to your eyes?

Do you carefully plan your restaurant strategy when you travel?  Or do you think I’m crazy?

 

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