Under the Tuscan Sun, Day 5, 07-07-18
Today was like no other. We all took cooking Italian cooking lessons in the private home of Chef Ryan Hanley and his wife Debora.
We left Marciano delle Chainia and had a pretty drive through the Italian countryside to Cortona. We had one stop to make before we got there. We had to find the Andry Bar in Pergo. This was where we would meet Chef Hanley.
The Italian GPS's, I am sure, are very good. However, they are like any other computer, you get out what you put in. They will take you to places where few Americans go. After backtracking through Pergo and taking a few wrong turns, we were successful in locating the Andry. This was a scouting mission. We wanted to be sure as to the location of our meeting place, so as to avoid any mistakes later on. After accomplishing this mission, we went to Cortona for lunch.
Cortona is a beautiful hillside village located in Tuscany. To many people in the US they know of it as the setting of the book and movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun". The city, enclosed by a stone wall dating back to Etruscan and Roman times, sits on top of a hill at 2,000 feet above sea level. This location offers a spectacular view of the valley below, to include Lake Trasimeno. Our host told us that while we are in Cortona that we must eat at the Osteria del Teatro. He said they had the best Italian food in Tuscany. Since we are here for the total Italian experience, this is where we ate. Fantastico.
Afterwards, we met with Chef Hanley, along with two other couples for our hands on cooking class. We had a delightful experience with our new friends Mary and John Bagala, a California couple, on their honeymoon.
Chef Ryan gave us a briefing on what to expect. We were all given assignments to prepare different dishes that would be our meal for the night. The menu follows. Stuffed tomato with rice,Polenta cup with speck and gorgonzola, Zucchini flower flan, Homemade ricotta crostini with truffle oil, Panzanella (Truscan bread salad), Pici pasta with a Duck Ragu, Tagliata (sliced Chianina T-bone) with arugula, cherry tomatoes, parmesan shavings, red and green peppercorns. For dessert we had Chocolate Capri cake with a balsamic glaze gelato.
Amanda made the cake, Linda made the ricotta, Harry made the Panzanella, and I made the Polenta. Then we made the pasta. We prepared the meal and went to the outside dining area for our dinner. Everything started around 4:00 pm and we finished around 10:30 pm. After dinner we sat in the garden and had a great period of fellowship. It was very interesting to hear from everyone about their travel adventures and how we all happened to end up in Tuscany learning how to cook an Italian meal. I would be remiss if I did not tell you about Chef Hanley and Debora. Ryan is from California and came to Italy 15 years ago to study the culinary arts. He met and married Debora and they made their home in Cortona. It was very interesting to hear them tell about life in Italy and Italian politics.
We left Chef Hanley's home, knowing that we had just had a great experience. As I said, this was not a demonstration.
We left Marciano delle Chainia and had a pretty drive through the Italian countryside to Cortona. We had one stop to make before we got there. We had to find the Andry Bar in Pergo. This was where we would meet Chef Hanley.
The Italian GPS's, I am sure, are very good. However, they are like any other computer, you get out what you put in. They will take you to places where few Americans go. After backtracking through Pergo and taking a few wrong turns, we were successful in locating the Andry. This was a scouting mission. We wanted to be sure as to the location of our meeting place, so as to avoid any mistakes later on. After accomplishing this mission, we went to Cortona for lunch.
Cortona is a beautiful hillside village located in Tuscany. To many people in the US they know of it as the setting of the book and movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun". The city, enclosed by a stone wall dating back to Etruscan and Roman times, sits on top of a hill at 2,000 feet above sea level. This location offers a spectacular view of the valley below, to include Lake Trasimeno. Our host told us that while we are in Cortona that we must eat at the Osteria del Teatro. He said they had the best Italian food in Tuscany. Since we are here for the total Italian experience, this is where we ate. Fantastico.
Afterwards, we met with Chef Hanley, along with two other couples for our hands on cooking class. We had a delightful experience with our new friends Mary and John Bagala, a California couple, on their honeymoon.
Chef Ryan gave us a briefing on what to expect. We were all given assignments to prepare different dishes that would be our meal for the night. The menu follows. Stuffed tomato with rice,Polenta cup with speck and gorgonzola, Zucchini flower flan, Homemade ricotta crostini with truffle oil, Panzanella (Truscan bread salad), Pici pasta with a Duck Ragu, Tagliata (sliced Chianina T-bone) with arugula, cherry tomatoes, parmesan shavings, red and green peppercorns. For dessert we had Chocolate Capri cake with a balsamic glaze gelato.
Amanda made the cake, Linda made the ricotta, Harry made the Panzanella, and I made the Polenta. Then we made the pasta. We prepared the meal and went to the outside dining area for our dinner. Everything started around 4:00 pm and we finished around 10:30 pm. After dinner we sat in the garden and had a great period of fellowship. It was very interesting to hear from everyone about their travel adventures and how we all happened to end up in Tuscany learning how to cook an Italian meal. I would be remiss if I did not tell you about Chef Hanley and Debora. Ryan is from California and came to Italy 15 years ago to study the culinary arts. He met and married Debora and they made their home in Cortona. It was very interesting to hear them tell about life in Italy and Italian politics.
We left Chef Hanley's home, knowing that we had just had a great experience. As I said, this was not a demonstration.
It was a "hands on" class. If anyone reading this travel report plans a trip to this region I would strongly urge you in include this in your plans. Just google "Chef Ryan Hanley" and enjoy a wonderful experience.
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