Before I do, I must tell you about my experimenting with various Italian recipes. In my December post I have a link to Mestolando, the authentic Italian kitchen in Florence and their Bucatini ala Matriciana recipe or as they call it, Amatriciana. Or go to Bobby Flay's for this bucatini recipe. With all due apologies, I have altered it a little bit. Perhaps we will call this a New World adaptation of an Old World Recipe.
First of all I break up the Bucatini into two or three pieces rather than the regular spaghetti length.I'll tell you why in a moment. Then after cooking the sauce, I put it into a saucepan and keep it on low heat. The recipe calls for some of the sauce to be mixed in with the spaghetti ( and remember I use the real Bucatini, not the regular spaghetti) Then you plate it and top it with the grated Pecorino Romano. Stop, right there. I now take two or three good tablespoonsful of pesto and add that to the frying pan that has just been released from it sauce. I add a couple of tablespoonsful of olive oil and stir and spread it across the frying pan and heat on a low to medium setting. Now I add the Bucatini an stir it to ensure the pesto is thoroughly mixed with the spaghetti. Having broken up the spaghetti previously makes it easier to stir it around. Then I take all the sauce and add it and again stir it until all the Bucatini is thoroughly coated with the sauce. Then after heating it for another two to three minutes, I plate it and sprinkle generously with the grated Pecorino. May not look as pretty as it does in the video but it is oh so delicious. Just a hint on the pesto. I have tried almond, walnut and even Macadamia nut pesto but I keep returning to pine nut pesto. And the best recipe for that I have found on my good friend David's blog "Cooking Chat".
So now finally to the purpose of this post. We had the pleasure of a visit to the Casa Vinicola Luigi Cecchi & Figli winery in Castellina in Chianti. It was one of the more impressive wineries we visited while touring throughout Tuscani.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmH-pUdyZJG24eImVgSxrOkD0btbeusuaciKBvmzd2SuTPqnYX_2n0hRLBRZLmBJu17FumleBmZQ984dLmZOsYK3KHEhEAKt-h6oPFgYCMv5R0sjvFnfN04qNCytW0-nk0kzHDHQ/s320/cecchi.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFvZ8FNOGrY7YCPhhlDLxozlJ1ikrDeVfkzAbLA0y-rfMgueET1X_ZbFLrOoYg2_rj0Bz8TshfjJX8ObVs5q3npa9Pdj9wkzws7R7ZZdddrdw408DVUeIYB1w6rLKPkpLo-Y4bA/s320/cecchi2.jpg)
Ultra modern state of the art facilities at Cecchi.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFHC65wMpyEH9kQOrsIzgR_BU9Csj-XvADjoeDbt94Jr-Yr8GCg3cmZ6t5Rl3B7pRRDmQW2Gh1oAdHhACxLHQkx-6v5sK6drlV0RK6F90Y9d_66p8plKtpuxDkS4dzNmZIueQGg/s320/ccclassico.jpg)
The Cecchi winery is a true traditional proud family winery. Started in 1893 by Luigi Cecchi and today both his son, Cesare and his grandson Luigi are very involved with the Cecchi winery. They are comitted to sustainable practices in both the vineyard and their facilities.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XRSvteV5ZRNS2qSKEj2M50meWMYO55QR05nPeD1gwuRUxNYx7bWbzSVte9DQ_kpMQvcVX41z8E88RlCw3EjrXUSx4jUWFxQLzxRoL8CWD52FuWd-khY7Lq6I4bhxnYyidarIiA/s200/076.jpg)
The feel of family is evident when visiting this winery. Our hosts were the two beautiful ladies Chiara Bellaci and Cecillia Muzzi. Truly dedicated to the Cecchi family of wines they proudly showed us the state of the art facilty followed by a tasting of the best Cecchi has to offer.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40RRbAoP7bsNrFeKKU5aQB7rudLaJTYN1i_bf7A4nC0l8_CnZtsiWGNfKCCay39Yo5_L23ZKhz2rcWrx6RY3dcGUaXg7YWcLtg0rjNn6z9T1RmsfrOxTAGpjZhkWHwBXhmH0khQ/s320/ceccilia.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLY1LdA17A8g8jz_o_oX-sVK5rOv7EB68AtDeDoXIUltQ2U3VP_frFtdZ8goX9MNsJZAwqb_gh3lDcUpLdqcq7rtjxnMThIcIbuZFyvWnDtJEU74cJWPA4DK_jrifHUqTxj5xXxg/s200/Copy+of+Cecchi_Litorale.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w9P49bwSKqdhSIBgWmtYionspixUvZUxunS_t6KoWMxq9P3zMH9hfVoDzRw6MvzZLmf2G0HqnBpFnJGGP_1PnstjRH1CRj9CNxROYJScnLONgaPiPGq4qZXmC41Y4M0VVws-hg/s200/Natio.jpg)
The Litorale is a lush , fresh lively Vermentino. Refreshing and crisp and loaded with fresh fruit. The Natio is a superb organic wine with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino grapes harvested from small vineyards in the Chianti region. The essence of Sangiovese is captured in this wine. The remaining 6 wines we tasted were equally exciting and flavourful.
Ciao Cecilia and Chiara! Thanks for the memories!!
In my next blog entry I will tell you about the amazing Alessandro Dondi of the Castello di Bolgheri.
2 comments:
sounds like an amazing trip! Nice photos and recap. I find Vermtino's can be a very refreshing white, sounds like their's is good.
You've whetted my appetite considerably - thanks!
Post a Comment