Still in Italy (nel cuore e nella mente): Post-Trip #2

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We loved our trip so much, we’re still on the high. We may be physically back in the ATL, but that’s about it. The heart and mind take a little longer, thankfully!

Tartufi bianchi!!!The picture here is of the local tartufi bianchi from the Piemonte (Piedmont) region we visited this year. They’re so amazing, but not more so than the local chicken of the woods mushroom our friends Sam & Cornelia shared with the Mushroom Club of Georgia attendees, but we were having too much fun on Monday night to snap a photo of those (yes, again). So…

What you missed on Monday night:

  • Sage battered Chicken of the Woods with Cheddar Fonduta (by Victor, inspired by Sam, courtesy of the recipe in Kevin Gillespie’s new cookbook “Fire in My Belly” and requested by me!)
  • Cornmeal battered Chicken of the Woods mushrooms with Lime-Horseradish Aioli (made by Sam!)
  • Yummy Cheese and Crudité (provided by Hank)
  • Sweet Potato Home Fries (made by Tana)
  • Curried Eggplant with Mustard Greens (made by me, with sous chef Victor; again inspired by, and with apologies to!, Kevin Gillespie’s chef demo at the Morningside Farmer’s Market on Saturday)
  • Chocolate torte (from Hank’s birthday party)
  • Vanilla ice cream with AMAZING assortment of balsamic drizzles: chocolate, cherry, blueberry and fig (generously shared by Sam & Cornelia)

Oh, yeah, and a few bottles of delicious vino… certo!

Tuscan Tribute: pre-Trip (#1)

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Prepping for our trip to Tuscany, coming up in June…

Forgot to take photos of the food and lovely people who showed up bearing it (having too much fun in the moment!), so I just had to settle for a shot of the aftermath (edited for neatness…).

Vino, anyone?

Vino, anyone?

Antipasti
Yummy cheese assortment (as always, courtesy of Chez Smittin!)
Deviled eggs (Judy/Winslow)
Mango gazpacho (Hank)

Primi
Homemade whole wheat artichoke-mushroom-pesto ravioli in brodo, aka veggie broth, also homemade (Victor & LaRue)

Secondi
Squash casserole (Patty)
Kale florets and mushrooms (Catherine & Wayne)
Cuban black beans and rice (Lisa & Gary)
Chickpea curry (Anne and Clay)

And of course (as you can see from the photo, above) many bottles of wine were consumed as well, and (as you can deduce from the photo, above) new friendships forged over lots of lively conversation.

Vini Bianchi
2009 Quattro Mani Tocai
2009 Jen-Paul & Benoit Droin Vaillons Chablis Premier Cru
(n/v) Sonoita Cochise County Colombard
2009 Burgan’s Albarino Rias Baixas
2009 Conundrum White Blend (Chardonnay, Viognier, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc)
2009 Granite Ridge Chenin Blanc

Vini Rosso
2009 La Ferme Julien Rouge Cotes du Ventoux
2005 Beaucanon Estate Cabernet Franc
2008 Dancing Bull Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Barista Pinotage
2009 Layer Cake Malbec
2008 Chateau La Fleur Montagne St.-Emilion
2000 Anciano Gran Reserva Tempranillo