5.4.12
A small group came to cook but more came to eat!
a bruscetta just in case we were peckish
Another day – another lesson – these simple tomato bruscette are simple but delicious – the difference is in the quality of the EVOO – extra virgin olive oil – and remembering to take the seeds out of the tomatoes!
Deb seemed pleased with her gnocchi
Deb seems pleased with her Gnocchi – made with some flour, a lot of hot baked “riced”potato and an egg to bind – “Simples!”
ricing the potato
Matilda, came to join us ,as always, to help out with the tidying up – Brava Bella Ragazza!
Duck ragu - in the pan after over an hours cooking it falls off the bones easily
The duck ragu after being mixed with the vegetable mixture – it just falls off the bones after over an hours cooking in olive oil – and then remember to stir the gnocchi into the mixture so it absorbs the flavour!
cleaning the carciofi
The artichokes have to be cleaned with lemon to stop them going black even before we start to cook it – lemon also adds flavour to the artichoke alla romana! We are getting near to the end of the artichoke season now – vegetable flan next week?
otherwise washing up is my job!
Lisa took over from me mixing the ragu and the gnocchi- she is much better at stirring than I am!!
arista
Evidently Arista simply means delicious – or even “the best” in Greek – the name was appropriated after a banquet given for some important Greek visitors in Renaissance times as their reaction seemed fitting! The part under the rib bone is the most “aristocratic” part of the pig!
Let’s hear it for the greaseproof paper – saves a lot of time with the washing up!
arista with carciofi romana
Arista with carciofi alla romana – delicious!
lisa dreaming of tiramisu with orange -yum!
Not sure what Lisa was dreaming about as she mixed the Tiramisù with orange – perhaps Tiramisù with orange – also so delicious!
Tiramisu topping
Our final pick- me- up – Tiramisu made with zest of orange, a sweet liquor and crushed haselnuts!
So another successful meal – which another friend and my husband turned up to share with us!
Happy Easter everyone!
