andiamotrips - campania, italy with karen phillips

I’ve had potato salads before. It is a classic dish for the summer. Last week at a Slow Food Campi Flegrei event at La Sibilla (Bacoli) I had a potato salad that was, oh, sooo good. A simple salad, prepared with simple fresh ingredients. I asked RestitutaSomma (La Sibilla) what made this simple salad so special. We’ve all made potato salad before…the ingredients are basic: potatoes, tomatoes, green bell peppers, anchovies, black olives, arugula salad, olive oil, and salt to taste. A couple of things she shared with me that gave this salad its kick. First, after you boil the potatoes, it is important that you peel them when they are hot. Don’t cool them down! In fact, she runs her fingers under cold water instead of the potatoes to help her with the process. Afterwards, she cuts them into cubes, seasons them with salt and olive oil and lets it cool. Then when the seasoned potatoes are cool, only then does she add the fresh produce. She mixes it up, and there you have it….Simple, ...

Forget the beach...Let’s meet in the cantina... Feudi di San Gregorio and Marennà Restaurant have a series of events scheduled for the month of August that covers all angles. Here is the program: Tuesday August 10 1900 hrs Apericena in the garden with Marennà as well as a concert under the stars. 30 Euro Wednesday August 11 1900 hrs Yoga in the rose garden at sunset (reservations necessary) 10 Euro Thursday August 12 1730 hrs A walk through the vineyards designed especially for grandparents and  kids. Snack included. (Free but reservations are required) Friday August 13 1130-1600-1800 hrs A walk through the winery featuring Fiano and a tasting of the following wines - Fiano di Avellino 2009, Pietracalda 2009, Privilegio 2007 as well as typical products. 10 Euro 1900 hrs Aperitifs and live music in the vineyards. 15 Euro Saturday August 14 1130-1600-1800 hrs A walk through the winery featuring Greco and a tasting of the following wines – Greco di Tufo 20...

A hot August evening in the heart of Campi Flegrei..... 18 gazebos set up on the left side of the Aquamorta pier. Occassion: Monte di Procida and the 12 th edition of Sagra del Mare . This fantastic event, put on by the association Vivi L’Estate , will prepare, present and serve pepate di cozze, pizzette d'alghe, anguria, and frittura mista di pesce (peppered mussels, fried seaweed, watermelon, fried mixed seafood). But what you really don’t want to miss are the stands set up by some of the best local restaurants like L'Orizzonte, La Polena, Divinium, Villa Chiara, La Cucina di Gerry, Scalabrino, and Villa Rosalia. Besides the stands with specialties from the sea, you’ll find stands set up with  primi piatti , i dolci and the best wines from the Campi Flegrei area. And what sagra is complete without musical performances, folk dances (a true Festival Tammorre) and stands exhibiting local crafts. For more info click on the link http://www.sagradelmareflegrea.com/

Jazz in Laurino in the heart of Cilento---August 8-13th Cilento is a beautiful part of Campania. And for 6 days, Laurino will host an amazing series of jazz concerts, courses, jam sessions. Jazz in Laurino is an event dedicated to jazz music that takes place in Laurino, a typical village in the Parco Nazionale del Cilento Cilento. The concerts will be held inside the ancient walls of Palazzo Ducale (VIII century) and in the cloister of the Monastery of St. Anthony (XVI century). While flipping through the site , a particular event caught my eye... Wine an Music . Yes. Wine and Music—When wine meets jazz. When food meets jazz. In collaboration with Bruno De Conciliis of Viticoltori de Conciliis , Confusi ma felici, and Osteria la Piazzetta. 2 courses to introduce you to the world of wine tasting and wine making. Check out the web site for more info...it should be an amazing time... http://www.jazzinlaurino.it/

Ah, summer in Campania... One of my favorite things to do is hit the wine and food fairs. August 4-10, in Guardia Sanframondi (Benevento) there will be a big one. The 17th edition of Vinalia. This project combines the talents of the Comune di Guardia Sanframondi, Provincia di Benevento, Regione Campania, Camera di Commercio di Benevento, Ente Provinciale per il Turismo di Benevento, Associazione Italiana Sommelier Campania, Coldiretti, Laboratorio Teatrale Guardia Sanframondi, Accademia Italiana del Peperoncino, Pro Loco di Guardia Sanframondi, Misericordia di Guardia Sanframondi, ArciGuardiaand is part of the “Tra Cantine e Borghi d’Arte” project as well as Provincia di Benevento, l’Ente Provinciale per il Turismo ed i Comuni di Castelvenere, Guardia Sanframondi, Sant’Agata de’ Goti, Solopaca e Torrecuso. All designed to rediscover Campania’s winemaking traditions. In addition to wine tastings,there will be  olive oil, cheeses, salumi, mushrooms and other gastronomic ...

Here it is...Details on what to expect on Sunday, August 1st 10.00 am : Open market with local products In the historic center/ centro storico : - Guided visits of the centro storico ,churches and museum of Taurasi - Wine tastings - Folk music in the streets of Taurasi Regional Enoteca (Castello) 10.00 – Wine tastings 11.00 – Tasting Lab: Olio Ravece D.O.P 12.00 – The wine producers present a journey of the senses with wine (TAU) and guided wine tastings 16.30 – A chat in the Castle with The National Archeological Association " A harvest of two thousand years ago " Lecturers by Dr. Flavio Castaldo (archaeologist), Dr. Tsao Cevoli (archaeologist),and Dr. Antonio de Gruttola (winemaker) Afterwards, a wine tasting by Cantina Giardino 18.30 – 2000 Wine tastings In addition, Cantine Caggiano and Antica Hirpinia will be open for visits during the following hours 10.00-12.00 / / 15.00-18.00 For more info contact: Franco Archidiacono...

Slow Food...the formula is so simple, so basic. Fresh products-grown locally- in season. This is what was explained to me and the crowd of about 30 Slow Food lovers at La Sibilla in Bacoli the evening of July 22nd. For those of us who showed up early, a mini mercato was set up with products such as tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, capers. Fresh marmalades, jams, and homemade tomato sauce were also available for purchase. Fresh, quality produce…simple, hearty recipes… Fried eggplants with fresh tomatoes, Peperoncini verde with tomatoes, a beautiful potato salad with tomatoes, anchovies, black olives…I could go on. I enjoyed all of this with La Sibilla’s Falanghina and Piedirosa (rosé). Stay tuned to this blog over the next week for recipes for these amazing summer side dishes… For more info on Slow Food Campi Flegrei click on the link here .

There has to be something special about a place where people will wait up to an hour outside on a hot Tuesday Naples evening for a pizza. I mean, in Naples, it is not hard to find a pizzeria…BUT if your intention is to have a pizza at one of the best places in town, you will join the crowd of pizza lovers and patiently wait your turn. The place? Pizzaria La Notizia with maestro pizzaiolo , Enzo Coccia . Enzo is known throughout Italy and the world as one of the best. Eating at La Notizia is almost as if you have been invited to Enzo’s home…his dining room…his kitchen. I got that impression instantly when he saw me from the window, waved, came out and greeted not only me, but the rest of his customers, his friends, who were waiting outside. A few minutes later, Alessio Rotondo , one of La Notizia’s waiters, came out with pizza slices for everyone. A snack while we waited… al bianco with salami and pepper… Inside…we took our place in a small dining area with a perfect view of Enzo...

The dates are set!!! This is definitely 'Not to Miss' ...More details soon.

This Thursday, Jully 22, at La Sibilla in Bacoli, there will be a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with producers and products from the Campi Flegrei area...all brought to you by Communità del Cibo Campi Flegrei (G.A.S. Gruppo di Acquisto Solidale) … Here is the program 1900 hrs –Market by the Community of food Campi Flegrei 2100 hrs– A showing of the film Terra Madre, Mother Earth 2130hrs – A chance to try the local products presented. (they ask a contribution for the tasting  of 5 Euro per person) For more information go to http://www.slowfoodcampiflegrei.com/ To reserve a spot, contact 3406001837 – 0818044295 fiduciario@slowfoodcampiflegrei.com . Azienda Agricola "La Sibilla" Via Ottaviano Augusto, 13 Bacoli, Italy

 Another opportunity to visit one of my favorite towns-Taurasi.  La CONDOTTA SLOW FOOD Irpinia Colline dell'Ufita and Taurasi ( http://www.condottaufitataurasi.it/ ) together with the   Comune di Taurasi  will present the visitor with an enormous opportunity to try the best in Irpinian food and wine. Walk through Irpinia’s diverse culture as you visit Taurasi’s centro storico and Regional Enoteca and discover what  good food, good wine, and good music are all about. The following producers will be on hand; Antica Hirpinia, Antico Borgo, Antonio Caggiano, Boccella, Cantine Famiglietti, Cantine Giardino, Cantine Guastaferro, Cantine Manimurci , Cantine Russo Taurasi, Cardinale, Contrade di Taurasi – Cantine Lonardo, Elmi, Filadoro, GMG vinicola Taurasi, Guerriero Claudio, La Torella , Miervini, Molettieri Armando, Sella delle Spine, Tecce, Tenuta Cavalier Pepe, Terrecolte, Terre d’Angelo, , Guastaferro, Vadiaperti, Vigna Villae, Vill...

Can you think of anything better than an evening at Veritas with an excellent menu of cibi da spiaggia ? A complete menu of beach food that you can pair/mix and match with your favorite beer or wine? An evening where you can listen to beach music and solve wine and food crossword puzzles? Veritas awaits you with the following set menu which cost 25 Euro: Insalata Caprese in Coppa Martini . Caprese Salad in a Martini Glass Polpette di Parmaggiana di Melenzane , Eggplant Parmagian Balls Piccolo Panino Soffiato Mortadella e Ricotta , Mortadella and Ricotta sandwiches Aspic di Insalata di Riiso , Rice Salad Cubi di Cotolette e Patate , Potato and Cutlet Cubes Bavarese di Pepperoncini Verde , Green pepper Bavarese. Frittatine Collante di Spaghetti , Fried Spaghetti Callipo all’anguria , Watermelon Maxi Cono Vaniglia e Cioccolata , Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream Cones Drinks (not included) can be chosen from a wide variety of wine or beer by the glass beginning at 3....

One evening, I decided to take a drive out to Forino, Avellino to escape the Naples heat. I popped in for a visit with Raffaele Tornatore and his wife Flavia of Tenuta Montelaura . During a bit of conversation/chit chat, Flavia went to the kitchen and came back with a plate of peaches. But not any peach that I had seen before. A peach known as  Pesca Tabacchiera . Tabacchiera means ‘snuffbox’ and it is called this due to its form. This peach that looks like it has been sat on or thrown against the wall. One thing that I’ve learned in my 17 years here is that when you are offered something to eat, you better try it. ..I did... Wow!! Juicy, sweet, delicious. Probably the sweetest that I have ever tasted. You can’t judge a book by its cover. It wasn’t the prettiest looking peach. One of the reasons that you won’t find it in your local supermarket. What a shame…. Photos by Raffaele Tornatore

Another cool recipe from Lidia Merola and Tipeatalia Anchovy Parmigiana with Fior di Latte from Agerola Ingredients for 4 servings: 300 g of fresh anchovies, 500 g San Marzano DOP tomatoes, 1 eggplant, 250 g Fior di Latte from Agerola, grated parmagiana cheese, bread crumbs, fresh basil, onion, olive oil, salt Preparation: Pour the tomatoes that have been blanched, peeled and cut in chunks into a pan, add sliced onion, some basil leaves and a little 'oil. Cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally and seasoning with salt. Meanwhile, grill the eggplant slices and brush with a thin layer of oil. Clean the sardines by removing the head and entrails. Drain the anchovy fillets, brush them with oil on both sides, dip in breadcrumbs and grill. In a pan, pour some of the tomato sauce that you previosly prepared, a layer of eggplant slices, anchovy fillets, the mozzarella, parmigiano cheese and basil. Start again, forming another layer pouring tomato and other...

8 minutes 42 seconds That is about how long the drive is from Cantina Gennaro Papa in the heart of the town of Falciano Del Massico (Ce) to their vineyard 270 m above sea level up into Mount Massico. And in this 8 or so minutes, through the centro storico, up the mountain, you can learn almost everything you wanted to know about the area, the terrain, the history— if Antonio Papa is by your side. Antonio Papa was my guide on my latest tour through the vineyards and our first stop was his youngest, most diverse vineyard on the side of Mount Massico. A vineyard that is divided into three zones—three terraces, carved out of the mountain by his father, Gennaro. Until about 7 years ago, this particular part of the mountain housed apricot trees. The Papa family decided to turn it into a vineyard. To do this, they had the enormous task of clearing away rocks and stones. Walking through the vineyard’s three levels you will instantly notice three different types of soil. This makes sens...

This weekend, I had the desire for a no frills lunch. Something simple, something that I could throw together, something quick-yet slow . One of the things that I love about Italy and particularly Campania is that I can enter into a ‘salumeria’, look at the vast array of salami, cheeses, etc. Choose a few items for lunch, a piece of bread, a bottle of wine or beer, and then off to my house. This Saturday, though, was a little different. This time, the ‘salumeria’ was Living Food . The owner, Alfonso Prisco . The location, San Giuseppe Vesuviano. I walked in at 1410 ish. I was greeted  by Alfonso, his wife Feliciana, and his daughter Chiara. Handed a glass of Manabrea , then I took a little tour. Pastas, cheeses, salami, oils, wine...all handpicked by Alfonso…all, that when you walk in, you are bombarded by an immense selection of the best products from throughout Italy. Da Alfonso…at Alfonso’s Lliving Food,  there is something extra. You may choose to ‘...

Ais Napoli and Roof & Sky will present an evening of fun, food, and sparkling wines...with a twist Menu prepared by Michele Grande : Pasta e fagiole con le cozze (pasta and beans with mussels) Pesce bandiera fritto ( impanato ), batter fried fish Polpette di pesce con crema di fagioli , fishballls with a creamy bean sauce Zuppa di seppia e cec i, cuttlefish soup with chick peas The cost of the evening is 25 euro (including sparkling wines) The ship will sail at 2100 ish . And here is the twist ...In addition, bring a bottle of your favorite champagne, spumante, prosecco, ecc to share, enjoy, and discuss with friends as we sail around Lake Miseno---yes---BYOB. Fore more information, or to reserve a spot contact Michele Grande 333.27.61.608 e-mail info@astecoecielo.it Roof&Sky Asteco e Cielo Pontile n.3 Lago di Miseno Bacoli

Summertime means festivals...music.  Here is one that is definitely 'Not to Miss'. The Nuova Opera Festival hosts Bobby Mc Ferrin , one of the most important artists of the international jazz and pop music scene. Belvedere di San Leucio San Leucio (CE) The concert starts at 9 pm ish and the tickets cost: 15 euros For more information visit the website at http://www.nuovaoperafestival.org/

Congratulations to Manuela Piancastelli and Peppe Mancini  of Terre del Principe .  Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate recently gave rave reviews to one of the Campania region's favorite wineries.  93 points for   VignaPiancastelli 2007 , 92 Ambruco 2008 ; 91 Centomoggia 2008 ; 90 Le Sèrole 2009 e Castello delle Femmine 2008 ; 89 Fontanavigna 2009 e Roseto del Volturno 2009 !!!!! You can read more reviews about Terre del Principe's wines in the June 2010 edition of The Wine Advocate.

Beat the heat with these drinks suggested by Lidia Merola from Tipeatalia . Here are two different types of drinks that are often confused. Both are made by using fruits and vegetables. The difference is that smoothies have a higher nutritional value because they contain fiber that is found in fruits and vegetables. Centrifuged juices do not retain fibers, which remain in the centrifuge; only vitamins and minerals). Also, smoothies can be fortified with yogurt, milk, spices, honey, fruit juice.Juice that comes from the centrifuge quickly loses most of its oxidants, valuable for our metabolism. Finally, the calories vary depending on the type of fruit and vegetables used. Lidia prefers preparing these at home with seasonal fruits... Pineapple Centrifuge Ingredients for 4 people: 4 slices fresh pineapple, 1 / 2 liters of cold water, ice cubes. Preparation: Peel the pineapple and centrifuge it well with the proper equipment. Add cold water. Stir, add ice cubes and pour ...

On the anniversary of the National Day of France, Wednesday, July 14, Gambero Rosso Roma has organized a special event. > Party on the Città del Gusto Terrace 19.00 - 24.00 The best French and Italian wines. During the evening Gambero Rosso will host the project Aperitif à la française, organized by Sopexa Italy, with co - financing from the French Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. > Seminars and tastings at the Teatro della Cucina From early afternoon until evening four seminars will be held starring Italian and French wines, hosted by Marco Sabellico and Thierry Desseauve. 15:00 to 16:30 Bordeaux and Tuscany: International Stars 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Burgundy and Piedmont: a question of "terroir" 19:00 to 20:30 Scent of South 21:00 to 22:30 Mon Amour Bubbles > French cooking - Cooking amateur hours 19:00 to 22:00 At the Gambero Rosso School, you can participate in a cooking class that will reveal the secrets of fine French ...

Saturday, July 2nd. Scorching hot in Naples. 40° C. First big exodus of the summer with Neapolitans looking for a little relief on the beaches, at the sea. I , instead, set my sights on Irpinia, A16, direction Avellino…To a cool place, about 914 meters above sea level. To Nusco, Irpinia’s balcony, with an amazing view from the parking area, a stone’s throw from the centro storico. A quick stroll through the medieval streets…to Vicolo dello Sapgnuolo, 1…to La Locanda di Bu . Reservations were for 1300 and it may have been 1301 when I introduced myself to Chef Antonio Pisaniello . Antonio, who spent the morning looking for mushrooms in the nearby mountainside. Antonio Pisaniello...the chef who I would have the pleasure of spending a few hours with on this Saturday afternoon. Aperitivo…after sitting down, Antonio…or Tonino as his friends fondly call him, poured a glass of  Rosato di Aglianico 2009 Vigne Irpine.   A wine from his Irpinia. A territory that he is...

8 March, 2010-Hotel Ramada Naples . Back then, we were a group of about 60 strangers with one objective in mind…to increase our comprehension of wine. So for nearly 3 months, every Monday night from 8 pm ish to around 1030, the Hotel Ramada became a second home. Friendships grew alongside our knowledge. June 15th , we took our exam… July 1st we celebrated our accomplishment at Roof and Sky in Bacoli. Michele Grande -owner and fellow sommelier student-prepared an excellent menu. Formula BYOB. Spumante, Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, Falanghina, and Chardonnay were some of the wines we shared over great food, magnificent conversation, and an excellent view from the middle of Lake Miseno. Our ‘leader’ Tommaso Luongo , pulled out his cigars and shared with all who wanted to end the night with a smoke, a smile, and a glass of grappa or vermouth. A great way to say ‘see you at the next class'…

Gambero Rosso will host its annual Drink Pink night at Città del Gusto Napoli . Here you can try the best Italian rosè wines, enjoy their aromatic floral bouquet, and gaze at their beautiful hues and colors. There will be finger foods prepared by Chefs Antonio Russo, Giovanni Pastore, and Roberto Pedretti , latticini from Agerola, and smoked salmon from the Baltic Sea. Radio Capri will provide the music as you relax inside or outside on the seaside terrace. The evening starts at 2000 ish and costs 18 Euro. For more information, or to make a reservation: 081 19808900/902/910 napoli@cittadelgusto.it Città del Gusto di Napoli Via Coroglio, 57/104 - Napoli