The Italian Cousins packages have been delivered!

OMG

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What can I say, its such a fantastic thing you have created - WELL DONE!

I'm so happy to be part of the family...and am looking forward to my next package...

Will be planting my seeds later today...

First Packages on their way

It was with great excitement that the first Italian Cousin Packs went out a couple of weeks ago and we have had a terrific response so far. 
Our new Cousins have enjoyed the recipes, the goodies and the gifts.  The Torrone (nougat) has been a great hit and we are sure everyone will want to give the recipe a go at some stage.  There have been a number of pasta recipes shared and some great photos included on our Facebook page.

Don't forget, it is possible to share the joy buy purchasing a second package for friends and family - a great idea for a birthday gift or Christmas present.

Roasted Chicken in a Vine Ripened Tomato Sauce w/ Homemade Tagliatelle

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken
• ½ lemon
• Sprig of thyme
• Salt and pepper
• 1 kg Tomatoes
• 50mL Olive oil
• 1 bulb of Garlic
• 400g Flour
• 4 whole Eggs
• Chopped parsley to serve

Place the half lemon inside the chicken along with the thyme and half a bulb of garlic. Place in a roasting tray and put in a 200 degree oven for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

While the chicken cooks;
Put on a pot of seasoned water on the boil
Mix the flour, a pinch of salt 20mL of olive oil in a bowl. Make a well with the flour; crack the eggs in the centre. Slowly work the eggs into the flour, making a dough. Keep kneading till the dough is smooth.
Cut the dough into smaller pieces. Run each piece through a pasta machine on setting one to continue the kneading process. Once there are no holes in the dough, let it rest for ½ hour.

Whilst the dough rests;
Roughly chop the tomatoes, place in a tray with the other half of the garlic and remaining oil, a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in a 200 degree oven until the juices come out.
Roll the pasta through the machine, working your way through to setting 7. Cut into 40cm lengths and run through the pasta cutter. Place on a floured tray. Once all the pasta is cut, quickly blanch and place on an oiled tray and straight into the fridge to cool down.
When the tomatoes are ready, bring them out of the oven. Taste for seasoning. And squash the tomatoes with a spoon, until pulpy.

To serve pull apart the chicken, add to the tomato sauce. In a pot heat the tomato and chicken to a simmer. Quickly warm the pasta in boiling water, add to the sauce, check seasoning, add parsley and serve with a glass of Viognier.
Matt and Bobbi Wells
Barrelroom Cafe

Who do our Cousins remind you of?

Thought it would be a fun idea to ask you all who our three 'Italian Cousins' in the logo remind you of?  We are sure there would an Italian friend or relative that our cute little characters remind you of.

We love Italian Food - What about Italian Wine Varieties?

Italian wine varieties are taking hold of Australian wine drinkers and winemakers. 
New styles like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Fiano and Nero D'Avolo are becoming more available to the wine drinking public - but do you know what to do with these wines?
Well, as with most things Italian, drinking these wines is all about the food!  Even the Australian wines made from these varieties are considered 'food wines' and when the match is right.. it is soooooo right!
The Ballandean Estate range features only one Italian variety at the moment and this is our delicious Nebbiolo.  This wine is fabulous with an Antipasto platter featuring prosciutto, olives, sundried tomato etc.  The wine boasts lovely cherry overtones with a strong tannic finish - flavours well suited to strong flavoured foods.
Fiano is a new variety planted in the past few years on our vineyard.  The wine should be available in the next year or two and is reminiscent of Pinot Grigio and we believe will be the 'next big thing' in Australian Wine.
So, when you are planning an Italian meal with friends, don't forget to seek out and enjoy an Italian Varietal wine.

Its All About the Food!

Don't you think?
Not a day goes by at the Cellar Door, when a conversation doesn't end with 'It's all About the Food'.  Its generally followed by a short but satisfying dreamy silence when both sides of the counter are lost in a great food memory.  That oh...so... satisfying vision includes the aromas, the flavours, the colours, the wine, the friends, the conversations, the sounds and the emotions. 
To me, 'Its All About the Food' really means so much more...

Isn't it

Italian Cousins! A celebration of All Things Italian

Enter the world of Italian life, with food, recipes, wine, language, arts, culture, anecdotes and more....

The Ballandean Estate family would like to share with you what makes being Italian so special.  Join the family and enhance your life with sensory packages, blogs and connections with all things Italian.

Italian Cousins is an Italian Food, Wine, Cultural and Educational Experience.  It arrives at your door every four months as a package of food, wine, goodies and surprises!  Italian Cousins communicates with you throughout the year All Things Italian through blogs, emails, facebook, links and gives you the opportunity to journey to Italy bi-annually.

Cousin Benefits:
Every 4 months Italian Cousins brings you:

• 6 Premium Ballandean Estate Wines
• A tempting food package
• Homemade Goodies
• Authentic Italian cooking Ingredients
• Collectible recipes
• Surprises (we love to surprise family)
• An exclusive invitation to our annual Scampagnata (Italian Picnic)
• 10% off wines purchased at the Ballandean Estate Cellar Door
• 10% off a la carte dining in the Barrel Room Cafe
• First Access to our Italian Cousins - All things Italian Tour of Italy (approx every 2 years)

When do I receive it and what does it cost?

Italian Cousins arrives at your door every March, July and November and costs $199 + $8 freight per package.

Call toll free 1300 791 641