So enough about the digs and people…now about the food and of course spotlight on me for the week. I always keep a food journal when I travel to cook…something about a future book deal. A few weeks ago it was shrimp and cajun fries with Michelle Obama in Virgina…that’s an easy one to note in the journal. This one was so much food, I could barely remember to write down the most important. With 12 guys and two significant others, someone is always hungry, thirsty, sober or drunk. Everyday included a 3 hour trip to the markets loading and unloading my fiesty punta. 3 refers filled to the brim. I kept the menu primarily Italian since I could buy unbelievably great fresh pasta….god knows there was no time to make my own and what kind of an idiot would I be to try. I hope it makes you hungry…some of it just made me cry.
S/Y Daring Food Journal
Rolex Swan Cup Porto Cervo, Italy (1st time on the island…second largest island in the Caribbean. VERY cosmopolitan and chic. My Italian sucks, but I am getting by. Cooking at a Villa overlooking the Bay in Puerto Cervo.
Day 1 (Friday September 5, 2008): Arrival and Provisioning
Breakfast: N/A
Lunch: N/A
Dinner:
Apps: Antipasti Platter of Local Olives and Marinated Artichokes|; Local Figs stuffed with Gorgonzola, wrapped with Proscuitto and broiled
*Mache and Beet salad with toasted pine nuts and a lemon balsamic dressing
*Lasagnette Pasta with local Brie, Tomatoes and basil served with warm garlic rubbed Spianatine Sarde (large round flatbread)
*Dessert: Local Gelato trio (lemon, chocolate and strawberry)
Day 2 (Saturday September 6, 2008)
Breakfast: Organic yogurt with fresh local blackberries. Cereal and cappuccino.
Lunch: Pannini of grilled chicken and fresh pesto on morning-baked ciabatta.
Apps: Local wild boar (chingali) sausage, bull sausage and sliced local pears
Dinner: Very late….crew arrives after a lame party…hungry! Red sauce that had been cooking all day with fresh pork chops falling on the bone. Big bowls with loads of fresh bread for the dipping.
Day 3 (Sunday September 7, 2008)
Breakfast: Organic yogurt with local berries, cereal, hard boiled eggs, espresso and orange juice
Lunch: Underway (Race training for crew)…sandwiches of pesto, cheese and procuitto
Apps: Deep Fried cheese ravioli with marinara sauce for dipping
Dinner:
*Lemon and Rosemary Roasted fresh hens
*Caprese Stacks
*Radicchio, Fennel and Parmesan Salad
*Focaccia Rolls with Roasted Garlic Spread
*Dessert: Trio of Gelatti (lemon, strawberry, chocolate) with
Amaretti cookie and Macchiato
Day 4 (Monday September 8, 2008)
Breakfast: Fresh Croissant, mixed local berries, yogurt, cereal, espresso and juice
Lunch: (Race Training/Lunch Underway) Sandwiches of three different local hams with spicy mustard and local cheese
Apps: Roasted Pepper Dip with pizza dough chips
Dinner:
Large Local Caught Scampi/Lobster grilled outdoors
Caesar Salad
Gemelli with Olive oil, garlic and parsley
Dessert: Boca Negra with white chocolate Rum sauce,
Espresso
Day 5 (Tuesday September 9, 2008)
Breakfast: Herb scrambled eggs, sliced peaches, croissant, toast, jam, cereal, espresso and juice
Lunch: (Day 1 of racing/Lunch underway) Sandwiches of grilled chicken breasts with melted Swiss and homemade pesto
Apps: Local Sausages, sliced pears and Parmesan cheese
Dinner:
*Arugula Salad
*Meaty Lasagna
*Freshly Baked Herb Garlic Bread
*Dessert: Fresh Blackberry Cobbler with panna gelatti
Day 6 (Wednesday September 10, 2008)
Breakfast: Grilled local spiced sausages, herbed scrambled eggs, sliced fresh fruit, organic yogurt, honey, cereal, espresso and juice
Lunch: (Day 2 of racing/Lunch Underway) Sandwiches of wafer thin sliced ham warmed in a pan with Swiss cheese and piled high on a focaccia roll with honey mustard
Apps: Sautéed Mushrooms with sliced baguette, mascarpone pancetta dip with sliced baguette and cold green local grapes
Dinner:
*Chunky Lemon Artichoke Soup topped with a Quail egg and crispy Pancetta
*Linguini with Salmon in a cream sauce
*Warm Focaccia Rolls
*Dessert: Gelatti with Raspberry sponge cookies, espresso
And limoncello
DAY 7 (Thursday September 11, 2008)
Breakfast: Prociutto wrapped melon, hard-boiled eggs, croissant with Nutella and jam, cereal, juice and espresso
Lunch: (Day 3 of racing…distance race) Two rounds of Sandwiches. 1.) Hot ham and Swiss on focaccia with cherry jam 2.) Procuitto with Swiss on pizza rolls with a dijonaise sauce
Apps: N/A
Dinner:
*Spicy corn chowder loaded with chicken, local cheese and Roma Tomatoes
*Fried Italian bread chips for dipping
*Bennie’s favorite Perugina Ice Cream Bars
DAY 8 (Friday September 12, 2008) RACING LAY DAY
Breakfast: Croissant, strawberries, organic yogurt and honey, sausages, scrambled eggs, cereal, juice and espresso
Lunch: Sandwiches underway, hot procuitto and cheese on pizza rolls
Apps: Local Sardines in Olive Oil with fresh baked Italian bread, chingali sausage, cold grapes
Dinner:
*Homemade pizzas on the outside grill with local sausage, fresh sausage and herbs from the villa
*Spinach and grilled radicchio Salad with a simple lemon dressing
*Jim’s Espresso Gelatti floats
DAY 9 (Saturday September 13, 2008) Race Cancelled due to heavy winds
Breakfast: Freshly baked banana bread with a compound honey butter, cereal, strawberry yogurt with fresh blueberries and strawberries, juice and espresso
Lunch: Pulled chicken sandwiches with a dijonaise sauce on soft Italian bread
Apps/Snacks: Chips, popcorn, nuts, grapes, oranges
Dinner:
*Carrot and Squash soup poured over homemade croutons
And drizzled with local honey
*Lightly sautéed Thick Cut local pork chops topped with
Pear bundles, wrapped with procuitto and baked in the
Oven
*Rosemary and white chocolate mashed potatoes with a
Balsamic reduction sauce
*Dessert: Tiramisu and espresso
DAY 10 (Sunday September 14, 2008) Last day of racing
Breakfast: Eggs lightly scrambled with spinach and tomato, or pancetta. Cereal, yogurt, sliced kiwi, banana bread, juice and espresso
Lunch: Underway. Sandwiches of local spec on French rolls with Swiss cheese and pesto
Apps: Eggplant and garlic dip with sliced bread
Dinner:
*Tossed romaine salad
*Meatballs stuffed with mozzarella in a roasted red pepper red sauce served over spaghetti
*Warm Garlic Ciabatta
*Dessert: Chocolate and Vanilla swirled gelatti with a strawberry sauce and espresso
DAY 11 (Monday September 15, 2008) Race week over majority of owner and crew departing
Breakfast: Freshly baked blackberry bread, juice and espresso
Lunch: White chocolate Rosemary Potato Pancakes topped with two fried eggs and crispy procuitto
Dinner: OUT…Agriturrismo

White Hot

Midnight Sandwich making

Getting ready to plate the main/salmon roe at the ready