The elderberry bush, or sambuco as it is called in Italy, is an indigenous plant that grows spontaneously all over the country, but it is not very well known. Elderflower syrup is used mostly in central and northern European countries, while in Italy, sambuco is more commonly associated with the distinctive anise flavour of Sambuco […]
Recipes
ANCIENT ‘VERNA’ WHEAT Cristina & Elisa Conversation among Chefs
The anticipation, while dough rises, the velvety sensation of flour running through fingers or the fragrance of freshly baked bread, are images that warm the heart and stimulate the appetite. Flour is the main ingredient in many of our recipes, forms part of our daily lives as well as our past, and evokes familiar memories […]
THE DIVINING ONION AND A DIVINE RECIPE
Did you know that … In ancient times the onion played a vital role in divining the fate of marriageable girls? To decide between various suitors, a girl would cut the initials of each beau into a different onion, then place the bulbs on a chopping board and wait… the girl would choose the man […]
TAGLIATELLE WITH FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL
TAGLIATELLE WITH FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL | Tagliatelle or fettuccine are typically central and northern Italian varieties of egg pasta. Their names are derived from the verbs “tagliare”(to cut) and “affettare” (to slice) respectively. | WHAT WE NEED Dough 500g flour 00 5 eggs Salt Sauce 500g Pachino tomatoes 6 leaves of basil 30g […]
RECIPE: THE LEMON TART
As you know, we love citrus fruits at Vignamaggio and so our chef Cristina decided to make us an exquisite lemon tart. Lemon tart is light, with a refreshing flavour perfect for springtime. The shortcrust dough for the sablé pastry case is skilfully worked to achieve its light and flaky consistency. WHAT YOU WILL NEED […]
A CHRISTMAS GIFT: CANTUCCI
The warm aroma of butter, sugar and almonds make winter and the Christmas season even more wonderful. Moreover, gifting some homemade biscuits is a simple gesture that can evoke forgotten memories and flavours. Cantucci, or Cantuccini are traditional Tuscan biscuits, usually served with Vinsanto. Originally from Prato, they were first made without the almonds that […]
RECIPE: THE POTATO GNOCCHI
This Summer Vignamaggio harvested its first organic potatoes, and even if most of the them has already been eaten, we still have some stocks for this fall. To celebrate the beginning of Autumn with you, we thought about one of the easiest recipes of the Italian cuisine, but a real pronunciation challenge for many foreigners: […]
MELON AND GREEN OIL CARPACCIO
In this post we will be close to the stove for a very short time, thanks to one of the quickest and freshest recipes from our kitchen. To prepare melon carpaccio with green oil, few fresh ingredients are needed and very little time: the final result will be a refreshing aperitif or a delicious snack. […]
RECIPE: TUSCAN COCCOLI
Fried bread dough is found everywhere in Italy and each region has a different name for it: Coccoli, ficattole or zonzelle. This is the Florentine version of this national treat. WHAT WE NEED 200g flour Dry yeast Water EVO oil Seed oil Salt WHAT WE DO Empty the flour onto the work surface and make […]
RECIPE: THE TUSCAN GRANDMA’S CAKE
Torta della Nonna (Grandma’s Cake), originally from Arezzo, is a tart of confectioners custard encased in a short-crust pastry and topped with pine nuts and icing sugar. Legend has it that the creation of the dish was the result of a challenge, to prove that Tuscan cuisine does have its share of desserts. WHAT YOU […]