Vineyards as far as the eye can see!

Well, that's what Julia, our esteemed tour guide has told me so, once again,  I called upon my trusty pal Google and began my search.
Whilst in Chianti, we will be staying in a gorgeous medieval (boy that's hard to spell) town called Radda...well folks, it looks absolutely amazing and Julia was right....vineyards as far as the eye can see, so I should feel right at home.
I have attached a link so you can take a look at this most beautiful town and ponder the incredible sights we are about to see. http://www.chianti.com/radda-in-chianti/
I truly believe that by the time we return home, we will be experts about the beautiful towns of Chianti and I am sure we will have tasted enough of the wines to claim our place as the most knowledgeable Chianti wine afficionados in Queensland!!  A bold statement I know, but if we play our cards right, I reckon we will achieve it......are you with me?

Mmmm Chocolate!!

Daydreaming over the Tour itinerary...as I do with great regularity, I noticed the chocolate factory tour in Turin and thought I would do a little research on the topic.  I found a wonderful blog detailing a Chocolate Festival in Turin and all of the wonderful choclolatey delights of the City.  Here is a link to the site so that you too can drool and count calories right along with me http://foodloversodyssey.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/04/cioccolato-chocolate-festival-in-turin.html.  Lets hope that we can find some of these delicacies while on our visit!

Not long to go now!!

And it is time to start thinking about our family holiday to Northern Italy.

October is going to be a wonderful time to visit Italy, as it won't be too hot, or cold, Autumn is a spectacular time of the year.  If you need some help with what to pack, there are some great tips on Google and youtube.  I have checked some out and picked up a few new ideas on what to bring on our food and wine escapade!!  Probably the most important thing is to NOT OVERPACK!!  Yes girls, that means you!!!  I know it is hard, but really, who cares if you wear the same thing a couple of times over, I won't tell anyone.... and anyway, we need to keep our suitcase space for the great souvenirs we will be picking up.
A couple of pairs of shoes, some lovely scarves, a pashmina and some accessories will help to change any outfit.
So, not sure if you checked out the Italian Cousins Facebook page, but I did post a link to the the Tourist Association website of the beautiful town of Asolo, where we will be spending some time, here it is again if you missed it:  http://www.asolo.it/ENG/index.php.
I thought I would also attach a link to the beautiful and historical town of Radda http://www.bardotti.com/radda.htm  Vineyards as far as the eye can see!!
Take some time to check out these wonderful places and I will post again shortly.
L - your tour buddy!!!

Italian Traditions!

 “Hi, I’m Mario, meet my first cousins, Mario, Mario, Sandy, Santina,Tina & Tina”

‘We are all named after our grandparents.. and my sister Rita, well, she was born on St Ritas Day.’ 
Mario Gangemi, Production Manager, Ballandean Estate Wines

It true and fascinating!  Is it tradition, or possibly superstition?  For those intent on using Italian naming traditions, baby name books are quite unnecessary. To bring a new name into the family, you might find it necessary to have a fifth child, or 3 children of the same sex, even then, you will need a book on Saints Days handy.

Traditionalists will follow this naming pattern:

1. First male child is named after the paternal grandfather
2. Second male child is named after the maternal grandfather
3. First female child is named after the paternal grandmother
4. Second female child is named after the maternal grandmother

 

But, there are always exceptions to a rule, here are a few:

• ‘respect’ is more important than gender, allowing some families to name a first-born female after her grandfather eg. Giuseppa after Giuseppe. (Most  male Italian names have a female equivalent)
• If a child is born on an important feast day of a saint the child will probably be named after the saint.
• A child may be named after a deceased sibling, either in memory of  the deceased child or as continuing respect to the grandparent.

All Things Italian Tour - October 2012 - Call us to join

Bookings are being taken for our Our All Things Italian Tour of Italy in October 2012....  "October 2012 will see us saluting the Tuscan sunsets with a vicious drop of Chianti, trekking Mont Blanc in search of the most perfect Truffle, devouring our body weight in elementary Italian cuisine. Our degustation will take the form of a 14 day Family Festa that will weave nonchalantly through Rome, Tuscany, Venice, the Dolomites, Lake Maggiore and Piedmont. For your delight we will partake in a heart stopping evening at the world famous open air Opera - Arena di Verona. We promise to never take part in clichéd sight-seeing and will look forward to singing all the way through the Alps in crisp October. Our guarantee is that we will live with the contadini and feast like royalty. Our lips will shine with freshly pressed golden dew (Olive oil), our senses will pay homage to the glorious sounds on market day, our minds will have moments to wonder and times to dream. Our hearts will beat slowly and purposefully as do the seasons of Italy. This, our darling cousins is a gift you cannot refuse - take it and enjoy"
Julia Black – Crave Italy Tours
and the Puglisi Family
Departure Date: 7^th October 2012, 14 days. Approx $9200 + taxes.  Incl breakfast and a variety of lunches and dinners.

Homemade Tomato Puree (for the best pasta and pizza sauce)

Contributed by Zia Mary Scalora (nee Puglisi)

Homemade tomato puree is made by washing, cutting in half and squeezing some of the “water” out of fresh and very ripe tomatoes. These are then passed through a machine which removes the skin and seeds, leaving only the crushed pulp. This is the puree.

Some people boil the tomatoes before passing through the machine.
The puree is then put into bottles along with a sprig of fresh basil, sealed and then placed into a very large container (eg 44 gallon drum) under water and then boiled for up to two hours.
The Puree can last sealed in this way for several years. In our family we have reused the same large beer bottles over and over for many years, placing them lying down and packed in tightly into the old 44 gallon drums, or one cut in half for smaller amounts. It is desirable to put weights such as wood lengths on the top, before filling with water and placing some sort of cover on top. Some wrap the bottles in newspaper for padding. The trick is to make sure the bottles boil steadily, but not too hard that they break. Watching the amount of logs put on the fire under the drum(on a stand made of bricks or such like) to burn, is the key to success.
Traditionally large amounts are made yearly or even every few years, as it is such a prolonged process, and messy, and usually many members of the family are pressed into service for the day. Of course, included is a Pasta lunch, with the Pasta sauce being made from freshly-pureed sauce, reduced in a pan with just oil, basil, garlic, salt and pepper and a little sugar.           Buonissimo!!!

Ciao Italian Cousins…
We have changed our minds, but thats OK, it’s what Italians do… when they’re not eating! 
We have moved our Scampagnata (Italian Picnic) to 2012.  But, we have 2 other fantastic functions to invite you to for the remainder of this year at the winery in the Barrelroom Café. 
(Note: there is no longer a Scampagnata on the 26^th of November 2011)

You are welcome to join us for the following functions:
November 20^th  2011 Primi Piatti (Italian Yum Cha).  A twist on the traditional yum cha.  Featuring a huge array of savoury and sweet options, from Arancini, meat balls and fried baitfish to Cannoli and biscotti.  Wines available by the glass or bottle at cellar door prices.  Plates start at $4.50.  11am to 3pm.

Primi Piatti (Italian Yum Cha)

December 11^th : Pranzo Italiano.  The Pranzo is a fabulous 5 course long lunch of way too much food, including antipasto, beef Carpaccio, baked ricotta, homemade chicken raviolini soup, beef lasagne, chocolate zuccotto bombe and almond and cherry biscuits.  All this accompanied by house wine and traditional Italian music.   Seating is on long tables so you can meet new friends and after lunch decks of cards will be available to play traditional card games.  $40 pp.  Starts 12.30pm

Pranzo Italiano

For bookings please contact the winery on 46841226
P.S.  The new Italian Cousins packs will be delivered to you in the first week of November.   Put your aprons on and invite some friends over for some kitchen fun, and we hope your vege patch has some space in it.  Don’t forget to make some time for coffee.
P.P.S.   Italian Cousins….All Things Italian Tour of Italy.  Tentative starting date: 7^th October 2012, approx. 16 days.
We hope to see you soon
The Puglisi Family
Ballandean Estate Wines