It’s been an interesting and exciting last few weeks here in Castgilole. Classes have started to take a turn for the better as we are now spending more and more time in the kitchen individually rather than watching one of the chefs prepare the recipes. I’d like to think that my skill set in the kitchen is also improving as many of these recipes are new to me and a few of the ingredients as well. I’ve seen ways to make Risotto that I may not have tapped into before, found that if push comes to shove I could make my own past if I wanted to and not rely on a machine and have a new found appreciation in the fine world of patience to achieve quality.

Though I am far from a vegetarian, when a course on fish came around and we were asked to gut, filet, cook and then eat this pour little trout, I was almost pushed to the other side. I’ll chalk that up to experience and pray to the gods above that the Piemonte’s love of Cogniglio (rabbit) does not make its way to my cutting board anytime soon.

Outside of the battle with the heart over the life of the trout, we have had some time in the kitchen making fresh breads, focaccia, pizza, hand made pasta, dry pasta and some very delicious soups. For added proof that the world as we know it truly is much smaller than we can imagine, the man that came down from Laggo Maggiore for our Olive Oil tasting also happens to be very good friends with the owner of Corti Brothers in Sacramento, a store that I spent far more money and time at than I should have. Check out his oils if you can, they are pretty tasting and good for both cooking as well as dressings, www.frantoiomancianti.com. Oh and his operation is established on Laggo Trasimeno, where we spent a glorious time in a Villa on the hills.

Due to the location of our castle in the clouds, making trips can be a challenge as we really have only Saturday and Sunday. We have however managed to find some pretty amazing towns, festivals and other events in and around Castigliole. One such event was a “beer festival” in this very, very small town of Neive. Though the festival did not bring the much anticipated hopes of new and locally made beers, it was beautiful just the same and we were entertained by a local rock band, that though they were not so good, we’re great to watch and great to see all of the locals signing along. Due to Neives proximity to some of the better grape growing towns in Piemonte, it has taken on the title of “the 4 wines land”, it is very worthy of a trip if you enjoy wine or gourmet Pieomonte foods. Though we did not plan on staying for dinner, we did come across http://www.lalunanelpozzo-neive.it/eng/restaurant.htm and will be heading back to enjoy their delights!

Other side trips have lead to Alba and to Asti as well as to the town of Canelli last weekend. Canelli celebrates the 1613 Siege of Canelli this time each year, which brings thousands of tourists and all of the towns folk (as well as other supporting cast members) dress in period costumes and reenact the Siege, it was really pretty spectacular and I have a ton of photos should anyone desire to see them. This weekend a smaller group of us will be heading to Imperia on the Riviera for a birthday celebration, more details on that to come at another point.

Ciao!

Satya