Sunday, December 8, 2024

Venice

 


The MOLO

VENICE






WHAT  to DO in VENICE



TOP THINGS to DO in VENICE


1.  EARLY MORNING TOUR (to Avoid Crowds)

2.  See VENICE by WATER  (On a VAPORETTO, GONDAOLA, TRAGHETTO)

3.  EAT at  a BACARO (Venetian Wine Bar - Drink Wine)

4.  WALK & "GET LOST" Wandering Around VENICE

5.  Visit The DOGE'S PALACE (Museum)


SPLURGE VENICE

Eat at HARRY'S BAR

Yes HARRY'S BAR is Expensive, but well worth the Wonderful Experience
if You Can Afford It

Go to CAFFE FLORIAN (In PIAZZA San MARCO)

Go For a CAPPUCCINO or TEA (An affordable Luxury)








VENICE

by Ruby Park








POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

Voted "BEST TRAVEL GUIDE"

POSITANO - AMALFI COAST - ITALY 







NEED a HOTEL ?



VENICE HOTELS








The DOGE'S PALACE

PIAZETTA

VENICE






At a BACARO

DAN & JOE

Bestselling ITALIAN COOKBOOK Author Daniel Bellino "Z"

with Cousin JOE MACARI

VENICE






IL LUPO e DANIELE

Famed VENETIAN GONDOLIERE "ARTURO" The WOLF

And author DANIEL BELLINO "Z"

OSTERIA VIVALDI

VENICE 1995







"CUGINI"

Cousins JOE & DANIEL

VERONA ITALY










Monday, October 14, 2024

Pampanella Recipe Molise Italy



Ever Had PAMPANELLA ?

It's an Obscure ITALIAN DISH

From an OBSCURE REGION Of ITALY ?  "MOLISE" !





PAMPANELLA

MOLISE



PAMPANELLA

Yes, Pampanella is not a Sicilian Dish, but we Love it, and it deserves to be on this page. It's from Molise, a region of Italy that most Americans have never heard of.

Italians all over Italy even joking around, saying that Molise doesn't exist, though they know it does, the region is so obscure that even Italian make fun of it. Sorry about that, to the people of Molise.

The dish Campanella is quite obscure as well, and most Italians have never heard of the dish, though it definitely deserves its do. The dish is mad of Pork Meat (any cut) that is seasoned with salt & pepper and a very generous amount of Paprika. 

Campanella gets its name from Pompano, vine grape leaves that the meat was wrapped in while cooking. Today, you can wrap it in either parchment paper or aluminium foil, or not wrapped at all.

Also, when it comes to the meat, and which cut of Pork that is used to make the dish, it usually depends on the cook, and what they have on hand, or what they personally like to make the dish with. One thing though, the cut of pork would be a fattier cut of pork like : pork shoulder, Pork Ribs, or Pork Belly. Don't use tenderloin, or pork loin.

Make this dish and enjoy. You can eat it on a plate, with potatoes, or Italian Greens sautéed in garlic and Olive Oil, or whatever you like. Sandwiches are often made with the Campanella as well, any way you like. Just Enjoy.







Pampanella Recipe 

MOLISE












PAMPANELLA

Recipe :


PAMPANELLA

  • 8 pork loin steaks
  • pork ribs
  • 2 tbsp of garlic granules
  • 2 tbsp of flaky sea salt
  • 4 tbsp of sweet paprika
  • 2 tbsp of hot smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp of white wine vinegar
Make up the rub by adding all the ingredients to a bowl and mixing thoroughly 
2
Sprinkle evenly over the meat, place tightly packed into a tray and cover with greaseproof paper. Leave to marinate for 1 hour
3
Preheat the oven to 150°C/gas mark 2
4
Lift up the greaseproof and sprinkle evenly with the vinegar. Place the paper back over the meat and bake in the oven for 2 hours
5
Serve immediately, either as they are or in buns for a snack on the go








FAVORITE ITALIAN DISHES

AND SECRET RECIPES






PAMPANELLA


When you're traveling in the Molise region of Italy, you'll invariably happen upon one of Italy's 'hidden' wonders. Pampanella is a spectacular pork dish that is jam-packed with colour and flavour. Paprika brings all its magic to the pork - delivering a rich red hue to the slow-roasted meat.

This vibrant red roasted pork is a speciality of the Molise region of Italy. Pampanella Molisana is an explosion of colour and flavour – a burst of smoky, earthy and spicy notes that envelope every inch of the tender, juicy pork – it’s a truly under appreciated Italian gem! 

Paprika isn't a commonly used spice in Italian cuisine, so it's somewhat of a surprise to see it used in such abundance in this recipe. It's that generosity of paprika that makes for something very special indeed. Sweet, smoky and spicy - Pampanella Molisana is the perfect harmony of flavour and colour.

What is Pampanella? 


Pampanella is a traditional pork dish found in the Molise region of Italy. It is relatively unknown dish elsewhere but much loved in the region. There are countless restaurants and street vendors who offer up the bright red pork in various combinations. Various prime cuts of meat are used from the ribs, loin, butt, shoulder to the belly. The meat is marinated in a generous paprika mixture, made from local varieties of chilli) then slowly roasted. 

Like porchetta, pampanella is often served as a sandwich alongside pickles and greens and it's how I first discovered it in Italy. From a wonderful butchers in the beautiful commune of San Martino in Pensilis, Molise - I devoured my sandwich in seconds and was super excited to learn how to make it at home.

Pampanella gets its name from the 'Pampini' leaves (vine/grape leaves) which were traditionally used to wrap the meat for roasting. Nowadays, parchment paper or foil wraps the pork, but the name stuck. It's an amazing dish that emphasises just how diverse and exciting regional Italian food can be. If you're not familiar with Pampanella Molisana, now's the time to make friends!








A Plate of PAMPANELLA









PAMPANELLA SANDWICH







POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

With 100 REGIONAL RECIPES

Of NAPLES & The AMALFI COAST ITALY




Sunday, October 6, 2024

Procida Italy Naples Bay

 



PROCIDA

The BAY of NAPLES

ITALY






PROCIDA GUIDE



PROCIDA





PROCIDA

"Procida, in my opinion more beautiful than the sisters Ischia and Capri, a former fishing village where time seems to have stopped. Come and discover with me the beauties of this place still unknown to many tourists."

... Gaetano ....







POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

CTRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

CAPRI PROCIDA ISCHIA

NAPLES SORRENTO

Voted # 1 Amalfi Coast Travel Guide










PROCIDA



PROCIDA


This volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples seems almost out of time, in the idyllic setting of fishing boats and small villages perched on hills.

Here a typically Mediterranean beauty and from literature to film it was starred in many works. In the late 1950s, Elsa Morante dedicated the book L'Isola di Arturo to this island.

Procida is the queen of slow tourism and should be discovered calmly, with no rush. It offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, glimpses of a long history and unmissable beaches. You can get around easily on foot, but buses or taxis are also available. 

The territory of Procida is divided into nine contrade, called grancìe. These are Terra Murata (the oldest), Corricella (the fishing village), Sent'cò (with the commercial port of Marina Grande), Semmarezio, San Leonardo, Madonna della Libera (or Santissima Annunziata), Sant'Antuono, Sant'Antonio and Chiaiolella (a marina). At 16 kilometres in length, every corner is impressive, starting with the many small streets that open onto beaches hidden in bays.

The historic core is the hamlet of Terra Murata , which is in some ways its heart, but equally interesting is the small island of Vivara, connected to Procida by a bridge. Its peculiarity is that it is a protected natural island, which winks at a more informal tourism. 

Procida can also be visited in one day, the most important thing is to plan your movements or, alternatively, to let yourself go by instinct or the tips of the locals.

To get there, take the ferry from the port of Naples or Pozzuoli, a one-hour boat ride. You will get to Marina Grande, the harbour and beating heart of the centre, divided between craft shops, bars, small boutiques and rental points for mopeds, bicycles, minicars and various boats.

From here you can move towards the historic centre, climbing up Via Principe Umberto to Piazza dei Martiri, passing by the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie and stopping at the Belvedere dei Cannoni to observe Marina Corricella in all its wonder.

Terra Murata is the ancient historical centre. Here you can visit Palazzo D'Avalos, which used to be a palace and prison, and get lost among courtyards, stairways and small squares until you reach the 11th-century Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo. In addition, it boasts a museum complex on the three floors below.

The fishermen village, Corricella, is a place you can walk to. The small houses of different colours are reflected in the transparent waters of the marina and it is one of the most beautiful and characteristic views of the island. 





PROCIDA







HOTELS in PROCIDA

HOTELS & FLIGHTS 

WORLDWIDE










The BAY of NAPLES

PROCIDA - CAPRI - ISCHIA - NAPOLI









Visit The Beautiful Island of Procida

Full Day Tour NAPLES to PROCIDA






FULL DAY TOUR of PROCIDA :

  • Enjoy a day exploring the tranquil island of Procida
  • Stop for lunch at a traditional local restaurant
  • Travel round-trip by ferry from Naples


Spend a day exploring the quiet, mysterious island of Procida on your own. Travel by ferry from Naples and discover all the island has to offer. Explore lemon groves and cobbled alleys, soaking up the relaxing atmosphere.

Stop for lunch at a typical local restaurant and watch the world go by. Enjoy 3 delicious courses accompanied by a glass of wine.

Visit Terra Murata, the oldest village on the island, and see its castle and prison. Stop at the marina of Corricella picturesque village of fishmen and wander through the port of Marina Grande in Sent'cò. Admire best view of Coricella village from Belvedere dei Cannoni and Belvedere di Elsa Morante.










HOTELS on PROCIDA

POSITANO - CAPRI

WORLDWIDE











FILMS SHOT on PROCIDA




IL POSTINO

Starring Massimo Troisi

And Maria Grazia Cucinotta







FRANCESCA & NUNZIATA

Starring Sophia Loren

And Giancarlo Giannini





The TALENTED Mr. RIPLEY

Starring Matt Damon

Gwyneth Paltrow & Jude Law


SHOT on PROCIDA, ISCHA, NAPLES

ROME, VENICE, & San REMO

ITALY







FRANCESCA & NUNZIATA

Sophia Loren

Giancarlo Giannini




Movie Summary -


We are in the Campania region in Italy, at the end of the nineteenth century. Francesca, whose parents and grandparents were pasta makers and who herself owns a pasta shop, marries Prince Giordano Montorsi for love.
They have nine children altogether and, at a certain point, Francesca is afraid that her little Nanà is going to die, and makes a vow: if her daughter lives, she will adopt an orphan. This is how Nunziatina, a pretty girl of eight, enters their lives. Strangely enough, she is the child who is most like Francesca, especially in the way she devotes herself unceasingly to work. Nunziatina is the only one who helps Francesca in the pasta shop, the only one to whom she reveals all the secrets of her craft. Nunziata is already in her teens when Federico, the eldest of the Montorsi children, returns from his studies in London. It is love at first sight, but how are they going to get around being related, if only indirectly?
Meanwhile, Francesca and Giordano’s marriage is on the rocks. To make things worse, the prince has neglected their business affairs and the family is in serious financial difficulties that may well lead to their ruin.Francesca decides that the only solution is for Federico to marry the daughter of a wealthy shipowner. 

Francesca tries to ward off bankruptcy by arranging a marriage between eldest son Federico (Raoul Bova) and a shipping magnate’s daughter. This news is gloomily received by both Federico and now-grown Nunziata (Claudia Gerini), who’ve kept a mutual passion hidden. Their secret out at last — at least to a sternly disapproving mama — Nunziata reluctantly consents to her own arranged wedlock, but demands as dowry the means to start a competing pasta company.










Friday, August 30, 2024

Path of Lemons Amalfi Coast Italy

 




LEMON FARM

MINORI & The PATH of LEMONS

"WHAT COULD Be BETTER" ?





The PATH of LEMONS

MAIORI - MINORI


The Path of Lemons is what’s left of the old mule track that connected the villages of the Amalfi coast before the construction of the route SS 163.

It clings along the ridges of the hills, directly above the sea and, as the name clearly suggests, lemon trees are all around.

The path of the Lemons connects Maiori with the nearby Minori, passing through the picturesque village of Torre.

I think that the best starting point is Maiori. From Piazzale Campo you can follow Via Vena and pass the lovely church of Santa Maria a Mare with its dome covered with green and yellow majolica tiles.

Once outside the town, you will find yourself surrounded by the silence, the colors and the scents of the Mediterranean vegetation: terracing of olive trees, vines and, of course, lemons.

Walking in such a relaxing background is so regenerating! And it doesn’t take too long to reach the hamlet of Torre.

Torre is a bunch of houses with the beautiful church of San Michele Arcangelo, dating back to the 10th century. You will be surprised to know that this small village was accessible only by foot and the first cars were able to reach it only in 2014! I think that Torre may be the right place if you want to run away from the hurry of the modern lifestyle and find some quiet.

The good news is that from Torre to Minori the Path of Lemons is mostly downhill.

The panorama is still the typical of the Amalfi coast: white houses, lemon groves, vines, courtyards and breathtaking sea views.

A panoramic point you cannot miss is the belvedere of the “mortella” (myrtle). From there you can have a fantastic view on Minori, its impressive Basilica and the bell tower, the beach, Torre Paradiso, but also Ravello, the mountains of Scala and Agerola and, in the distance, Amalfi and Atrani.

Another few steps and you reach the historic center of Minori.

Despite being a seaside village, Minori is the city of pasta. In other words is the place to have lunch, believe me!

Once in Minori you can choose to stop and go back, or continue up to Ravello. In this case the Path of Lemons is uphill, but it’s worth it.

Maiori and Minori are small treasures off the most touristic track, while Ravello is certainly more famous. The reason is simple: it’s beautiful! Richard Wagner, Mirò, Virginia Woolf are just some of the famous people who fell in love with that town and decided to live there for a while. You must absolutely visit Villa Rufolo, with its terrace overlooking the sea (I should talk about it in another article).

The whole Path of Lemons is an easy walk, suitable for everyone, even for small children. Just remember that there are many steps and it is good to pay a little attention.

There are fountains, benches and places to stop all along the way.





The PATH of LEMONS Map

The AMALFI COAST - ITALY


This path can be traveled in both directions. If you start from Maiori, the departing point will be the Collegiata di Santa Maria a Mare with its wonderful majolica dome. According to the tradition, its name comes from the statue found on the beach around 1200.

Then, let yourself be enthralled by the typical village of Torre and its ancient Church of San Michele Arcangelo in Minori and by the breathtaking panorama from the Mortella belvedere ("mortella" is the dialectal name of myrtle, a very common plant in this area). From the belvedere you can see Ravello and, further in distance, Amalfi and Atrani.


Therefore, this itinerary ends in the municipality of Minori, where we suggest a stop at one of the most famous and renowned pastry shops of the Amalfi Coast: pasticceria Sal De Riso. Get inside and you will never regret it, you will have only a lot of choice. Salvatore de Riso, the pastry shop owner, has turned the products of his land, like the sfusato amalfitano, into the key ingredients of his pastry masterpieces. All of them are delicious but a special mention goes to the famous delizia al limone, a typical lemon cake. 

You just need to set off and experience these places full of history characterized by unique landscapes. Moreover, the products of this land are excellent: it is no surprise we find them in the exquisite local gastronomy. Try to believe it!







On The PATH of LEMONS





AMALFI COAST LEMON RECIPES

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK



POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

VOTED TOP AMALFI COAST GUIDEBOOK

With 100 AMALFI COAST NEAPOLITAN RECIPES







HOTELS & FLIGHTS



 



LEMONS of The AMALFI COAST

The PATH of LEMONS








At a LEMON FARM

The PATH of LEMONS



PRIVATE LEMON TOUR

On The PATH of LEMONS


The Path of the Lemons is a rural experience walking around the hill which divide the two halemts of Maiori & Minori. A new experience to live on the Amalfi Coast, visiting the most characteristic villages of this wonderful landscape, pearl of the world heritage of humanity. An easy walk that allows you to visit the ancient coastal practices and cultures and immerse yourself in the rural life of these places, crossing and sometimes entering into real lemon gardens. A day hike on the Amalfi Coast with the team of hiking experts, to discover the Path of Lemons and more, walking through the historic villages, starting from the center of the beautiful Ravello, down to the sea of Minori and Maiori, crossing terraces and citrus groves overlooking the sea. One of the most beautiful walks in Italy voted by the Travel365 guide, site of nature lovers, walks and breathtaking views, which has collected the best trails in Italy to be covered on foot, of different difficulty levels, capable of giving emotions and suggestions indescribable; and among these, just a stone's throw from our house there is the Path of the Lemons (or walk of the lemons), a spectacular and evocative walk of rural rural hiking, between steps and ancient streets of the Amalfi Republic, to discover breathtaking views of the sea and unique views of the landscape and coastal farm life. The itinerary starts from the village of Maiori and tours around the hills of the lemon fields, to descends steeply to Minori, and passes along the heart of the Sentiero dei Limoni and ends in the center of Maiori again. - Feel the history of the place, walking by vertical landscape of Amalfi coast. - Easy to reach with public transport, from both palces, Amalfi, Positano or Salerno !
- Very relaxing and doeable walk, good for everybody.










AMONG The LEMON GROVES

The PATH of LEMONS

MAIORI - MINORI

The AMALFI COAST







The TOWN of MINORI

On The PATH of LEMONS
















The PATH of LEMONS

The AMLFI COAST - ITALY










AMALFI COAST RECIPES

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

ITALY
















WANT to TAKE a COOKING CLASS ?

AMALFI COAST RECIPES !



AMALFI COAST COOKING CLASS

And LUNCH






MAKE YOUR OWN PASTA !

The EAT IT !!!





The FRESHEST VEGETABLES EVER !!!

From OUR GARDEN


  • Have a hands-on experience and learn to make an Italian meal of 4 dishes
  • Prepare traditional dishes using fresh hand-picked ingredients
  • Enjoy your freshly cooked meal accompanied with wine after the class
  • Receive a cooking diploma and the recipes for each dish



CLASS DESCRIPTION :

Our experience begins with a warm welcome from our team who will guide you throughout this awesome class, describing what we will do in the following few hours. We will start with a tour of our typical terraced gardens, an ancient local cultivation method that represent a resource of sustainability and environmental conservation on the Amalfi Coast. Here we will stroll by and linger at the lemon grove, the olive grove and the vineyard, where you will be provided with significant information on the importance of these groves in the Mediterranean diet and how our worldwide famous Limoncello, olive oil and wine are produced. We will continue our visit to the vegetable garden, and after wearing gloves and collecting wicker baskets, we will proceed with the picking of the freshest seasonal veggies and fragrant herbs that we will later use for the preparation of the delicacies during the class. Once we
have put on our kitchen aprons we will be ready to get down to business and learn the secrets of preparing exquisite traditional dishes, which we will then go on to enjoy all together during a wonderful meal accompanied by local wine, limoncello and real Neapolitan espresso. As a perfect finale to our gastronomic experience, feel free to relax in the relaxation area at the lemon grove, sipping a glass of wine or lulling yourself in our comfortable hammocks enjoying the splendid coastal view.














FLIGHTS & HOTELS

POSITANO CAPRI

The AMALFI COAST