Tuscan atmosphere, people and cuisine leave no one cold. I'm completely smitten with the simplicity and amazing flavors of Tuscan cooking. During the vacation in the Tuscan countryside and Florence, we had lots of incredible food and wine. These are some of my favorite food memories from Tuscany.
A simple breakfast with croissant, homemade apricot jam and cappuccino or homemade espresso (Moka). Lunch is often soup or pasta. Tuscan vegetable and white bean soup (Ribollita) and handmade thick pasta with wild boar sauce (Pici al ragu di cinghiale). The best street food are sandwiches with good quality meat and cheese, and of course the world famous Italian ice cream (Gelato). We made lots of food at home too. Marinated artichokes, zucchini risotto, tomato and garlic spaghetti, pumpkin and chestnut ravioli, mushroom lasagna and tiramisu. A DIY wine tasting. Lots of laughter and many bottles of great wine.
Dinner with all the courses - antipasti (starter), primi (first course), secondi (main course) and dolci (dessert). Chianti Classico, a typical Tuscan red wine. Antipasto platter with different types of meat (Salumi) and cheese like Pecorino, traditional crostini with chicken liver topping (Crostini di Fegatini di Pollo), spinach and ricotta ravioli with sage butter (Ravioli di spinaci e ricotta con burro e salvia), homemade pork sausages and white beans, slow cooked duck, panna cotta and Tuscan almond cookies (Cantuccini) dipped in dessert wine (Vin Santo).
We came home with three bags of Italian food and ingredients and even more of ideas and inspiration. Oh, the effect Tuscany has on you! My stomach and mind are full of simply delicious food.
Oh, gorgeous! How you make me long to visit italy again soon...
Posted by: Jeanne @ CookSister | November 08, 2010 at 04:37 PM
My, your Ribollita looks so good! It's one of my favourite cold-weather meals. Antipasto platters look quite delicious, too :)
Posted by: Ele | November 08, 2010 at 04:39 PM
I'm getting hungry again! Go soggy bread!!! :P
Posted by: Juls1981 | November 08, 2010 at 04:47 PM
Absolutely stunning! I don't know what I like more, the stunning photos or the food!
I am getting hungry just reading!
xoxo
bianca
Posted by: bianca | November 08, 2010 at 05:30 PM
Sounds like you had a fantastic time, I LOVE ribollita. Delicious pics.
Posted by: Sarah, Maison Cupcake | November 08, 2010 at 07:01 PM
Love the picture of the thick pasta with bright red sauce. I wish I had a bowl of it right now!
Posted by: Cecilia | November 08, 2010 at 07:12 PM
What an experience. I'm sooo jealous :) Thank you for sharing such gorgeous photos.
Posted by: Tracy | November 08, 2010 at 08:16 PM
I was already drooling at your descriptions of the food and then I got to the photos- WOW! Everything sounds & looks so delicious. x
Posted by: Tracy | November 08, 2010 at 09:12 PM
Ribollita, nom! Beautiful photos as usual, you made me long for the Ragu di Cinghiale, we had quite a bit while we were there.
Posted by: Sasa | November 08, 2010 at 09:36 PM
Hi Tina, I arrived here through Lolalina. I'm from Tuscany, and your beautiful pictures and descriptions of Tuscan food made me hungry! Pici al cinghiale are absolutely delicious, aren't they?
You have a lovely blog, I'll be back :)
Posted by: Cristina | November 09, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Thank you so much for the comments, friends! Ribollita seems to be everyone's favorite - mine too! And oh, that lovely pici and wild boar ragu!
Christina, lovely to meet you! I loved everything about Tuscany. The food is simply gorgeous and people know how to enjoy life. I'm full of inspiration after the trip! I'm so glad you found your way here. See you soon again!
Posted by: tiina | November 09, 2010 at 01:57 PM
Tiina, fortunately there are other 20 regions in Italy, all with typical products an good dishes...
What will be the next? ;-)
Amazing reportage and photos!
Nico
Posted by: Lospadellatore.blogspot.com | November 10, 2010 at 08:42 AM
Looking at thse gorgeous photos reminds me of Eat. Pray .Love!
Posted by: Christy | November 10, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Nico, oh I want to travel and eat my way through them all!:)
Christy, we were joking about it feeling like straight from Eat Pray Love too! Truly relaxing, inspiring and delicious time!
Posted by: tiina | November 10, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Very good post. You blog is amazing. Thanks for information.
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