Sunday July 24th: Cooking class in Piedmont

Everyday cooking in the Italian family

Sunday July 24th, 2011 – Cascina Crocetta, Valle Uzzone, Alta Langa – By www.terrealte.cn.it

A secluded retreat on top of a hill, with view on the amazing landscape of Alta Langa, in Southern Piedmont: Cascina Crocetta is the right setting for a day dedicated to cooking, country style and family style. The old stone farmhouse, recently restored, has preserved the environments, part of the original furniture and tools of a farmer’s family of a hundred years ago: the kitchen, the cellar, the wood oven. Fields are still cultivated around the farmhouse and a small church on top of the hill, surrounded by a circle of ancient oaks, is ideal for a moment of meditation or just an after lunch nap, enjoying the cool breeze of Alta Langa. Dedicated to all lovers of gourmet food, but specific for beginners, this one day class aims to introduce you to an everyday Italian meal, from fresh and seasonal ingredients, easy and quick to prepare. An ealthy and tasty meal you can propose over and over to your family, without ever getting tired of it. We will cook for you a complete meal with an ‘antipasto’, a first course, a second course and a dessert, with all explanations and tips and suggestions. We will lunch together, eating the creations of our kitchen. Your help and contribution will be fundamental to a tasty and successful meal.

Our menu:

Fiori di zucca e foglie di borragine fritte in pastella, Polpette di melanzane, Pasta ai due pesti, Tonno di coniglio, Pesche ripiene

Program

10,00 am – meeting in the main square of Castelletto Uzzone, 11 km South of Cortemilia: Cascina Crocetta is 2 km from Castelletto / 10,30 am – introduction to the ingredients of an Italian ‘pranzo’: we choose the produce of the territory and of the season. We start the preparation of our meal / 1,30 pm – lunch / 3,00 pm – clean-up and questions and answers / 4,00 pm – a walk in the country, to get some healthy exercise

The teachers

• Roberta Ferraris is a professional contributor to Italian magazines, newpapers and publishing houses. She mainly writes on travel and food, and has published two cook books: Una zucchina non fa primavera, on vegetables, with recipies ordered by season, and Bread&kids, dedicated to children (and their moms) who enjoy playing with dough (Terre di Mezzo Editore). She lives in Alta Langa, in a farmhouse, where she keeps a vegetables garden, a fruit orchard and a chicken coop. She speaks fluent English.

• Alessandra Peruglia is a retired teacher, who has chosen to leave the big city (Torino) and live in the country, in Alta Langa. She is a passionate cook and her guests often have the chance to experience her inventions: she is a creative interpreter of the traditional cooking of Piedmont. She also practices vegetable gardening and collects spontaneous edible plants. She speaks fluent English.

Costs

The one day cooking class will cost you 60 €, plus 7 € for membership to the association. Price includes lunch and recipies texts (in English). For information, call 334 2265612. Registration.