Stromboli and more.

We have but a couple of days before villagers come to Waldsee.  At the suggestion of one the counsels, I and my staff made Stromboli.  With it we served zucchini, salad and for dessert I made Zabaione with chocolate chip biscotti made by our bakers.

The Stromboli pre-cut.

Ready to go.

Zucchini half moons saute with care.

Always have salad.

Nina, I wish you were here to have this.

A Lovely Day with an Italian Weekend

I am tired and happy.  These photos well speak for me.

A small breakfast

Tomatoes

Maranade for the chicken

Best Friends

Radish

PASTA!

Shrimp and Pasta!

Devil Chicken, Green beans, Spinach Salad and Ciabatta

Sfincione

Pork roast with provolone and sage, potato and broccoli

and these guys...

Baking Some Italian Bread.

Today I had some extra time to try making a couple of breads.  Both were from Italy and need a starter.

First I made a bread from north Italy, Ciabatta! It was made with a two day biga (a dough starter).  It turned out pretty good, but I need to make some more adjustments.

I finally got a working camera again, hence the update.

I made a bread southern Italy as well, Pane Siciliano!  It was made with a different starter of pate fermentee that was also made two days ago.  It is made with some durum wheat flour, shaped into neat "S" loaves, and a sprinkling a sesame seeds on top.

"Esse Bread"?

The Flag Banquet

Some time authenticity takes a back seat to something fun.  This menu meal was base on  the colors of the Italian flag.  Green, white, and green.

First course was Bucatini with Red Sauce, White Sauce, and Pesto.

There I am.

Then we had a dish I called Chicken Caprisese.  Also Roasted Peppers with Zucchini and Onions and a Salad with Onions and Tomatoes.

And for dessert Chocolate Cups of Green, White and Red.

Little Orange Balls and More!

Today's lunch was a big success!  It was planned by Lena, one of my cooks, and a bit more work then most of our lunches.
We had Rice Ball for a first course.

 I had to deep fry then in a army pan.

Second course was Zucchini Salad and Eggplant Parmesan

 Never made this salad before.

And most came back for more.

And then, for the sweet tooth, Strawberries.

Wedding Banquet

Today we had a very special event here at Lago del Bosco.  Super Italiana and Paul Bunyan were married!  (Super Italian rewards those pledge to speak only Italian for the day and succeeded)  So we had a big wedding banquet.  This meal went really smoothly and I owe it all to my staff.

We open with platters of olives and fruit punch.

The next they had Bruschetta.

 After that was Wedding Risotto.

 Pasta!

 The main course of Roasted Whole Chicken.

 Greek Salad

 Fruit and Cheese

Sparkling Apple Juice

 And lastly CAKE!  For Bride and Groom.

 Cup Cakes for Guests

I had  to take a photo of this:

 And a good time and food was had by all!

Gonzo!

Today's theme is Puglia, it is the heel of Italy.
Lunch was great and simple, Pucca (olive bread),Chickpea and Pasta Soup, Salad, and pears.

My baker did a great job.

Pasta e Ceci

Supper's main dish was a bit more involved.  Beef Roll with Cheese Filling and Red Sauce, Peas, Focaccia, Salad, and Citrus and Olive Oil Cake.  The Beef Rolls fell apart a bit on me, but I learned some lessons and next time I well get it right.

Still was very good.

The cake, very good!

Pears...

Tonight's meal made me feel very proud.  I only made the dessert for this meal.  My crew made the rest.
The food hailing from Molise, we had Hunter's Style Chicken, Broccoli, bread and salad.

This is the thing I spent the most time on this afternoon, Pears with Chocolate.  I did not peel them myself, that was done by one of my Assistant Cooks.  After they are peeled I had boil them in a light syrup and then cover them in a chocolate sauce I made.  After that I made white vanilla sauce to give some flare.

I hope the kids liked it.

It was a Good Morning!

This morning the kitchen got a Bravo (were they call out the kitchen to thank them) for a breakfast.  It was pretty good, with Muesli, scrambled eggs, cantaloupe, and strawberry cake.

I think it was the cake that did.  Thank you me Baker Anna.

And for lunch we had the classic Lazio dish of Spaghetti all Carbonara with Zucchini, grapes, and a Green Salad

It is the best I have ever made.

Okay, now Italian.

I has been a while sense I last did post.  Waldsee had me on the ropes with a high number of villagers this year.  It was good, but very time heavy.

Now that I am at Lago del Bosco, I have a bit more time to show off the food my kitchen makes.
Today the theme was Tuscany.
At lunch today we had Ribollita, green salad, and apple slices.
Ribollita is hearty bean and bread stew that traditional made the day the before and then reboiled the next day.

Supper was a Pork Roast with Garlic and Rosemary, Potatoes, Salad and Whole Wheat Bread.  Dessert was Sweeten Mascarpone.

A dusting of cocoa powder to finish it off.