Recently we had the pleasure of enjoying a lunch cooked for us by the wonderful Simona from Sagraincasa at her lovely home in Allerona. We met up with her in the village centre and whilst we were waiting had a few minutes to have a quick look round and take a few photos.
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| What a view from Allerona! |
Our party consisted of Australians, British and Italians, we had all been very kindly invited to lunch by our friend K who had got to know Simona via his daughter Cathy, also our friend and a fellow blogger. You will find links to her blogs at the end of this post.
Before I share the photos of our private visit to Simona's home to sample the delights of her cooking I am sharing some information from her blog, Sagraincasa.
'My name is Simona and I am originally a Roman, I moved to Umbria, near Orvieto 11 years ago. Umbria, the green heart of Italy is also the heart of the slow food movement, now spreading worldwide. This is the region where wine and good food are an integral part of daily living and this is definitely the right place for me. My relationship with local producers of like mind have enabled me to nourish and nurture friends and family alike with delicious local cooking. This is now an experience you too can enjoy through, Sagraincasa. Passion for good food, as well as long hours spent in my vegetable patch, olive grove and vineyard, are some of the reasons that inspired this unique blog, Sagraincasa wants to be an inspiration for you.'
Secondly Cooking classes - Link, will tell you more about her classes for 2-9 people at her farm house in Allerona, a three hour lesson followed with a dinner at the end that the class has prepared. Classes are also available elsewhere for larger numbers.
Simon founded Sagraincasa, (food feast in your home) because she wanted to share her passion for quality, regional Italian cooking and wines. It was so obvious from the time we spent with her just how passionate she is about traditional recipes and cooking with local produce. We had a delicious meal, lovely wine and a good time with friends old and new as I believe the photos I share with you here will show. Just click on the photo for an enlarged view.
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| Tomato jelly with parmesan mousse and pumpkin seeds. |
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| Zucchini flowers Roman style with mozzarella and anchovies. |
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| Homemade ravioli filled with Taleggio cheese and potato served with truffle sauce. |
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| Pork and herb sausages poached in grape juice served with potato and green beans. |
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| 75% Dark chocolate mousse with a pear foam. |
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| Finally thanks to the chef Simona. |
All photos are my own taken in September 2012, except the Allerona Arms
Other links that may be of interest to you.
As I publish this post Sagraincasa are looking for help with their grape harvest, so if any of you reading this are going to be in Umbria on September 29th, do check out the link, fabulous food will be on offer in exchange for your help.
All rights reserved by LindyLouMac Photo Collection
What is not to love about Italy?
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your pictures. Zucchini flowers with mozzarella and anchovies are my favourite.
- Cheers from Canada.
It looks and sounds like you all had a wonderful time Linda. Thank you very much for mentioning my blogs at the end of your post :-)
ReplyDeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteHow enchanting Umbria looks, further confirmation if any were needed of what a wonderful country Italy is. What you show here of Simona and her home, to say nothing of the delicious looking and beautifully presented food, makes us very envious of the day which you spent with her and with, from what you say, an excellent international mix of company. We are sure that you will have had a superb time.
Kellemes hétvégét.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time and the food looks gorgeous, made me hungry. x
ReplyDeleteWow Linda, what a feast , I would love to try the Zucchini flowers, .. Will have to get the recipes and get my son the chef to cook Italian for me :-)
ReplyDeleteSort of makes me want to put down my paintbrush and pick up a spatula. The food looks too good to eat.
ReplyDeleteDelicious post!:)
ReplyDeleteSimona's way of life sounds like heaven. What a great experience to share time and good food with wonderful people of the region.
ReplyDeleteI love how Simona reinvented both the sagra, and the recipes and the way they're served!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful----almost "fairy-tale" like!! The photos really capture the rich culture.
ReplyDeleteDelicious looking food, beautiful scenery - what is there not to like.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool street. I like such town, you know. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Lindy, the fried zucchini flowers brought tears to my eyes. My aunt used to make them for me all the time because she know I loved them. Sadly, she is gone 3 years now, and it made me think of her again. Thanks for touching my heart with these beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos, beautiful Italian village. A greeting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful meal, I think Simona could even inspire me to learn how to cook!
ReplyDeleteOf course the gorgeous setting and company wouldn't hurt either!
xx
Ok I have scrolled through going wooo and areeeee because the the photos are just so awesome and it sounds like an awesome lunch you shared with some amazing ladies....
ReplyDeleteThe food and the setting look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWow, that was a feast. The food in exchange for the helping with the grape harvest sounds like a fun idea! Thanks for coming by Quirky Vistas yesterday and commenting on my post. You're right, the project got a little complicated and then time consuming, but in the end, I'm loving it! Almost done, still have to touch up and wax it. Thanks for taking the time to check in on me!
ReplyDeleteLiz
What a treat! Everything looks downright sinful. :D What tasted best, Linda?
ReplyDeleteAll the dishes look scrumptious.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an amazing opportunity. Everything looks and sounds so delicious.
ReplyDeleteMeant to add that the slow food movement is very big here in this part of Oregon; lots of press and several restaurants known for it.
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me my son who is also a chef cook ! He does all the pasta himself, has all the ustensiles for that and makes Ravioli, Tortellini etc all himself and always different. For a meal like your friend's he would spent at least 4 h in the kitchen ! It's his hobby and even during the week he cooks, he says that it relaxes him ! I was like that when I was in my 30th but now I am rather lazy. My grandma was a cook in a castle and directed 8 cooks ! We probably have inherited her skills ! Now for me it has to be good, quick and healthy !
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm what mouth watering photos. I like the idea of tomato jelly, must try that out. Have a great weekend Diane
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a very pretty village. What a perfect day you must have had, gorgeous scenery followed by that wonderful food.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful dining experience and opportunity. I love the Slow Food Movement and did so long before it arrived on the shores of the States. I agree with Simone's philosophy of cooking. Didn't you just LOVE the stuffed zucchini blossoms? I still have some and am hoping that they will still be in bloom when my parents arrive next weekend to stuff and fry them for a treat!
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI´m really happy that i found so interesting blog abt Italy. Thank you!
Regards,
ArturZ
Wonderful post. What are you doing with me, though? Right now, I am desperate to go to Italy.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thanks for the lovely tour of the village. And wow, the dinner looks delicious. the zucchini blossoms look yummy! I love the table set up outside, a very pretty dinner scene. Wonderful post and photos.
ReplyDeleteWow! Such a lovely and cozy home. Looks like you had a great time :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour of the village.... seems like time stood still over there
Nice photos :-)
What a lovely reunion with friends! The place is beautiful and her home looks like one of those on magazines. Friends and food are one of the biggest pleasures in life!
ReplyDeletewow!! lucky you! what a beautiful feast!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely friend and gorgeous setting and absolutely scrumptious meal!! How special to make such good memories in such a beautiful place. :-) Your photos are wonderful, Linda. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I wish I could have been there too.
ReplyDeleteLook at that marvelous table outdoors. I would love that also!! The food looks so good.
ReplyDeleteDearest Lindy,
ReplyDeleteWow, you have a wonderful blog♫♫♫ Thank you very much for stopping by and sweet comment. I was trying to go to bed here in Japan p;) I think I have seen you at our mutual friend's blog♡♡♡
Have a wonderful rest of the week, xoxo Miyako*
Wow..now THAT looks like a wonderful kind of day :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very lovely post. Nice and peaceful place, mouth watering foods and a good company:) food for body and soul..
ReplyDeleteThanks also for the visit:)
Hi Lindylou, what can I say, you are obviously just enjoying youself a bit too much! Your friend Simona's house looks beautiful, in a fantastic setting. Her food looks amazing, it is presented so professionally. The craic must have been mighty too....I am so jealous!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your lovely comments, that little blackbird has been touching people!
I wish I lived near Simona, I would be going to that cookery course. Have a wonderful weekend my friend, with much love, Linda x
Thank you LindyLou for such a feast! I enjoyed the stroll through the village, and the 5th photo down would have me pulling out my sketchbook had I been there in reality!
ReplyDeleteThe food, what can I say...other than I am a tad envious :)
What a lovely place and the food looks elegant.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great gift to share..nothing like breaking bread with wonderful people..What a happy time.
xoCarolyn
Beautiful photos of the buildings.
ReplyDeleteI visited Italy, but never saw anything like this...we were in the major cities.
THANKS.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com
your blog posts wonderfully describe how you are "living the dream". Italy is certainly a place that is on my list to visit. Thanks Lindy for another fabulous post.
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