Slow Food (Crock Pot Excluded)

A couple of years ago, I heard the slogan ‘Slow Food’ for the first time. I really wasn’t sure what that meant. A few weeks ago, I was in the company of my friend, Manuela Piancastelli. Manuela, journalist and winery owner, teaches cooking classes as well in her ‘bed & wine’ in Castel Campagnano. Watching her as she cooked, I think I’ve figured it out. Good food, I mean really good food, needs time. Time in planning. Time in preparation. Time in enjoying the meal with and sharing it with a great group of people. One of Manuela’s recipes that evening was carne alla pizzaiola, meat in tomato sauce. I watched in admiration as she placed two (fresh) steaks in a terracotta pot and placed them with a couple of tomatoes and parsley (from her garden), garlic, and a splash of house wine. She lit the burner underneath and we left it for an hour as it took its time cooking. What we found afterwards was beef so tender in an amazing tomato sauce. Slow Food. One of my favorite dishes from Agriturismo Taurasi is their onion soup. The owner, Giuseppe, gave me the recipe. Basically, you sauté onions in butter until they are softened, add white wine, and let simmer for about…6 hours. Slow Food. Food that uses fresh products. Food that uses produce that is in season. I know it’s hard to find the time to cook. As Americans, it seems that we have to squeeze the time in for just about everything. We are always looking for that great recipe that requires little time. But I ask you to think back to a couple of weeks ago when we celebrated our Thanksgiving holiday. Remember the great smells coming out of the kitchen when you put the turkey in the oven. The entire house smelled great for hours as the bird slowly roasted. Slow Food. I have often tried to reproduce this grande sensation of aromas by using my crock pot. At the end of a long day, I open my front door, and smell the aroma of food that has been cooking slowly throughout the day. But the result is not the same. Something is missing. In a way, I am looking forward to the holidays when I will have more free time to try recipes passed to me by friends. Sitting in front of the fireplace in a warm kitchen and enjoying the company of those I am with over a great zuppa di fagioli or pasta e patate. Slow Food.

I Vini d'Irpinia – Terrafelix, Naples, Italy, 6 December 2009

Through Ais Napoli (Association of Italian Sommeliers, Naples) I got hold of the wine tasting schedule for Terrafelix 2009. One event caught my attention. A wine tasting with wines from the Irpinia region(Avellino) led by sommelier Franco De Luca. I couldn’t miss it. I have written often of my love for Avellino, its wines and particularly aglianico. Franco presented 2 whites; a Greco di Tufo DOCG 2008 from Benito Ferrara and a Fiano di Avellino DOCG from Terradora. Three reds, Taurasis, from 3 different wineries were introduced to the public as well; Taurasi 2004 from I Capitani, Taurasi 2004 from Don Coriano and a 2005 from Manimurci. These Taurasis were nice but a little too young for me. I think I was spoiled after attending a tasting with Taurasis from Feudi di San Gregorio last month where we had wines from 1993, ‘99 and 2001. What grabbed my attention, though, was a distilled drink presented by producer Salvatore Malerba from Montella (AV). An Acquvita produced from a chestnut called castagne del prete that is dried, toasted, and ground into a flour. As we experienced the aroma, Franco pointed out the fragrances of fruit in addition to the dried chestnuts. Then, we tasted it. What an astounding feeling of warmth that spread throughout my chest. I am not a big lover of chestnuts,or after dinner drinks either, but as I walked to Mr. Malerba’s stand afterwards, I became a fan of his Acquavite di Castagne.

Campania at its best-Terrafelix 2009

Terrafelix was a fair held December 4-8 at Mostra D’Oltremare. It was a celebration of the great agricultural products that the Campania region has to offer. I took my 9 year old son, David, and I am glad I did. Campania has taken many hits in the past few years so it was heartwarming to visit the stands and talk to the producers of this overlooked region that I call home. And what products! Stands offering assaggi (tastes) of honey, marmalade, olive oil, salamis, cheeses, breads, pastas and (of course) wine. Throughout the fair, there were opportunities to participate in guided ‘tastings’ of all types of food. A favorite of mine (and David’s) was a mozzarella tasting. I found it quite informative as we tried four different latticini, from different areas. Yes, you really can taste the difference between a mozzarella from the Salerno region and one from Caserta. Another stand we stopped at for a bite was the Pesca stand. Here we were offered a plate of potato salad splashed with olive oil, black olives, tomatoes and (real) tuna. Mmmm. I ran into my friend, Vincenzo Di Meo in the Slow Food area. Vincenzo was at his stand representing La Sibilla and a legume called la cicerchia which I am dying to learn more about. Around every corner I not only noticed remarkable products, but I also saw men and women who were proud to present them to the world. In this age of globalization, it is important not to forget the people in our backyard who work hard to give us their best. Products at kilometer zero-meaning, goods that are produced locally are the way to go when you can. That is what I believe Terrafelix wanted to show us and I strongly feel that they did.

Complementi!

Chianti Forever, December 4

4 Wines, the usual formula, but this time, with a twist. Last Friday’s Winerdì at Ciao Vino focused on Chianti; the region, the grapes, the aromas, the tastes. Fabrizio Erbaggio and Vincenzo Di Meo explained the history of Chianti making, a timeline of the grapes used dating back to the 1700s. The primary grape is always Sangiovese. We were told that the key characteristic of this grape was the floral aroma. SO our assignment then, was to figure out which grapes were used in the wines tasted. First wine: a Chianti DOCG 2007 from Cantine Leonardo. We drank this side by side with another Chianti DOCG 2007 from Castello Gabbiano. After a guided examination of the wine, we learned that Cantine Leonardo’s offering the ‘international’ choice due to its 85% Sangiovese and 15% merlot make up. Next, two, Chianti Classico DOCG from Castelli del Grevepesa (2007) and Isole & Olena (2006). Which had the higher percentage of Sangiovese? Armed with what we learned about aromas and an earlier discussion on acidity we were able to guess that Castelli del Grevepesa (2007) was 100%. I’m not a sommelier, just an interpreter, so I am always glad when I can take something away from an event like this. I tried four great wines, I learned interesting facts on aroma and acidity, and I can’t wait for the next Winerdì.

'Tu su facebook? Non ci posso credere!!!!!!!!!'-Cinzia Dalmonte or Finally on Facebook

That was one of my first messages I received yesterday from a good friend of mine. After refusing to join this worldwide social network I have finally joined the ranks. My intent is to use Facebook as another tool to spread the word on what is going on in Naples and the Campania region So....se ya' on Facebook!

WINERDì, DECEMBER 18

‘LE BOLLICINE’

SPARKLING WINES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

18 DECEMBER, 2009

2000 hrs

Which ‘bollicine’ are best for the holidays? Join us as we find out in the comfort of Enoteca Ciao Vino located in Varcaturo, Via Madonna del Pantano, 50.

The cost of this evening is € 25 which includes a sparkling wine tasting of 4 wines as well as an amazing holiday buffet.. For more info, call 348 590 7349 or email andiamotrips@gmail.com.

GRANDE DEGUSTAZIONE BEREBENE LOW COST 2010

On the 13th of December, at the Città del Gusto in Naples (next to the Science Museum), there will be a great opportunity to taste a large variety of Italy’s best low cost wines. (Wines 8 euro or less). Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leader in wine and food, has published their 20^th edition of their book Grande Degustazione Berebene Low Cost 2010, and will present it this evening. The entrance fee is 18 euro, and the event will be held that evening from 2000-2400 hrs. For more information, call or write

Città del gusto
Via Coroglio, 57/104
Tel.: 081 19808900/902/910 (ore 9.00-13.00 e 14.00-18.00)
NAPOLI@CITTADELGUSTO.IT; eventi.na @cittadelgusto.it
WWW.CITTADELGUSTO.IT