Taste Bud Turn-Ons: Baciati dal fuoco (Kissed by the Flame)

This time last year (13 Sept 2010) I was returning from my trip to Italy. After traveling from Anguillara Sabazia with private driver to Il Poggio, located in San Casciano dei Bagni in Siena, I spent two and half days riding in the mornings and spending the afternoons either at the spa or cooking with the Chef.

the beautiful Il Poggio

The driver was so kind to stop periodically to let me snap a few shots, making the hour and a half drive a bit longer (like two and half), but worth every minute.

the road North

ah, Tuscany.

I arrived to a delicious platter of meats, cheese, and bread - just in time to get settled before a huge thunderstorm swept through the hillsides. I had a big window in my room that stayed open the entire time I was there (yes even at night, I made a friend - a little bat). It was just beautiful. It was really amazing to see how brown and dry the land was, and after one good night of rain, green began to flourish immediately.

yum!

view from my window

After taking a nap, I got dressed and walked over to the main building where the ristorante was located. Dinner was at 8 pm, and it was a buffet style. A glass of prosecco was served as a starter, accompanied with natural spring water Acqua Panna, and finally a glass of homegrown red wine. I grabbed some prosciutto/cheese triangles, spinach/prosciutto triangles, bruschetta, mixed vegetable soup, and lastly pork medallions. Dessert was a banana tart and pear tart.

The morning ride was down the countryside - very different from the Roman countryside. We rode down steep trails, branches grabbing at our clothes, and continuing to battle the horseflies. My horse, Luna di Monetlovesco, realized early on that I was trying to help kill the flies with every swat. Unfortunately for every one killed, three would take it's place. The scenery was incredible. Off in the distance, Castello di Radicofani, stood since the Middle Ages atop a hill, we road along the Via Francigena which leads south to Rome and North to Florence.

Castello di Radicofani

LUNCH! AMAZING...
Antipasto - carpaccio over Bibb lettuce with Parmesan slivers and olive oil

First course - traditional spaghetti (with olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes)

Main course - pork cutlet with fresh tomatoes and focaccia bread

I opted out of dessert having successfully stuffed myself BEFORE my spa visit.. The Italians definitely know how to relax - Il bel far niente (the beauty of doing nothing)! My visit to the Fonde Verde was much needed - warm swimming pools with massage jets overlooking the hills, a Turkish bath, sauna, and of course a body massage.

DINNER (I didn't feel it was appropriate to take pictures)
   Antipasto - four crostini's; liver pate, traditional bruschetta, mushrooms/cheese, and sausage/cheese (all excellent minus the liver...just couldn't get a taste for it!)
   first course - spaghetti carbonara with a slightly cooked egg yolk, delicious!
   main course - thin piece of beef friend with mushrooms.
   dessert - caramel cheesecake

I ventured to the next hilltop town (where the spa was) with Chef Massimo to enjoy an Italian beer. I had been drinking wine the entire trip, so a light Italian beer was a nice change. He then introduced me to Grappa, a very strong brandy-like alcohol from fermented grapes.

The next day we galloped along the valleys of the hills, criss-crossing through a water way. Lunch consisted of:

Delicious homemade oil and Balsalmic

Antipasto - melon and prosciutto

First course - Ragu

Main course - grilled thin steak with spinach

Dessert - vanilla gelato with raspberry dollop

That afternoon's activity I got to make several pastas with Massimo, as well as orange zest cookies and was showed how a traditional Italian pizza was made with the crust "baciati dal fuoco" (kissed by the flame). After my cooking lesson, I ventured down to the store where they sell that delicious olive oil and balsamic vinegar, as well as meats, cheeses, and pastas made at the farm. I did some tastings and got ready for dinner! I was opting out of the menu for a specially prepared pizza, my first in Italy. If you haven't noticed the trend, Italians eat...a lot...of delicious, fresh food!

After finishing my dinner, I spent about an hour talking with the Chef and my waiter, as well as a little family which had been there the last two nights. Everyone spoke English very well, and the conversation was very much welcomed.

Il Poggio

Saturday morning I was up and off to the train station - onward to Firenze (Florence). I would spend the next day and half wondering the streets of Florence with nutella gelato in hand - admiring the beautiful HUGE buildings and breathtaking Boboli garden. I feel in love with Italy - the food, the people, and the language. I will most definitely visit again, but until then, the photos will just have to do...