A Passionate Life

Discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary

Lucca

How to get out of the Tuscan sun

It’s June, and in Italy that means summer…and that means hot and humid! I had been looking for a shady spot outdoors (not my balcony, although it’s pleasant enough), somewhere green. I Googled ‘gardens in Lucca’ and up popped the Palazzo Pfanner. ‘Beautiful, but difficult to find’ was the recommendation in TripAdvisor. I looked it up on my map and decided to find out for myself. After a 15 minute walk along the wall, there it was! The view from the wall was inviting so, I paid the entrance fee – yes there’s always an entrance fee – and spent the following couple of hours in this beautiful green oasis.

Enjoy… Isabella

View of Palazzo Pfanner from the city wall

View of Palazzo Pfanner from the city wall

 

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Cooking lessons in Lucca

View from Eva's window, Lucca
View from Eva’s window, Lucca

Language lessons have been so so in Lucca…I’m disappointed that there are so few students and the lessons are lacklustre! Cooking lessons with Eva however, have been great. Eva is a native lucchese and her food is buonissimo! Typical dishes from Toscana on the menu were:

  • Crostini salsiccia, stracchino e semi di finocchio
  • Peperonata
  • Ravioli ripieni di ricotta e spinaci con salsa di burro e salvia
  • Pollo al limone con erbe aromatiche
  • Panna cotta con salsa di fragole
  • Ripieni di verdure
Cooking lessons with Eva

 

Making ravioli ripieni in Eva’s kitchen

 

Eva, brava cucina!
Eva, brava cucina!
Spinaci con salsa di burro e salvia; Pollo al limone con erbe aromatiche; Peperonata

 

Cin, cin! – Eva!

Lessons were held in Eva’s kitchen with a view of the surrounding village and the hills around Lucca. Three hours flew by, aided by glasses of local wine.  Afterward, dinner, more wine and gossip. I ate sooo much! I’ll post some of the recipes next time (in Italian!). Love to hear your recipes from different regions of Italy. What’s your favourite Italian food?

Buon appetito… Isabella