I keep myself awake by a delicate scent of flowers and the sweet taste of fresh fruit juice. Spring is passing by and I’m trying to stop her.
Where does the best mozzarella in the world come from? We have been to Tenuta Vannulo, one of the most important and oldest dairy farms of Italy, located near Salerno, in the south. We witnessed the production of mozzarella made of buffalo milk, the most exclusive product of southern Italy. The buffaloes are in about five hundred, and the animals are massaged and pampered to get the most from them. The processing of the mozzarella starts at 4 AM with milking, and at 10 AM it’s already all sold out.
The particularity of this workshop is that they don’t export their product: if you want some, you have to go get it there! This guarantees an excellent quality and a good relationship with the customer. So if you have planned a trip to Italy, you just have to pay a visit to Tenuta Vannulo and have the opportunity to taste some of the most traditional cheese history of the country.
Sunglasses and a fresh passion fruit juice: essentials for an easy and happy moment.
Last month the third annual Food Film Festival took place; a three day festival aiming to gain and share knowledge on a more sustainable food system. Part of the festival was a food court with trucks of street food with a twist, such as ‘De Keuken van het Ongewenste Dier’ (The Kitchen of the Unwanted Animal, TKUA).
Starting out as an art project, TKUA questions the eating habits of today’s consumer, that are a bit odd to say the least: most people eat meat that comes from factory farms, but look the other way when they have to face the origin of their cheap burgers. At the same time animals that are being put down for other reasons, but that are perfectly edible and often of better quality, are being discarded of since apparently they are not good enough for us.
These unwanted animals are turned into tasty fast food by TKUA. From invasive species such as crayfish, Japanese oysters and muskrats that threaten local ecosystems to the infamous ‘Schiphol geese’, which circle Holland’s biggest airport and get shot on a daily basis to prevent serious accidents. TKUA turns them into soup, croquettes, and uses their big eggs for omelets. Other animals used are rabbits, pigeons, and deer. But probably the most controversial are their ‘My Little Pony burgers’ made from retired race horse and pony meat.
After the horse meat scandal in Europe, these became even more current. The clever name really sums up the Dutch (and probably European) sentiment towards eating horsemeat: it’s ‘sad’ or ‘wrong’ since it’s considered a noble animal. Yet Dutch horses, as well as the other animals aforementioned, have generally lived a much better life than animals from factory farms. They have received the best food and care, and their meat lacks those nasty hormones and antibiotics. Your typical meat from the grocery store came from an animal that had been treated poorly, lived in a contained space, probably saw little to no daylight, got forcefed and injected with several medications.
So the real question is: would you rather have that horse discarded of and taken to destruction (after which it will be ground up and served to other animals), or taken to the butcher after which it will be turned into a hearty meal by loving hands?
If the tropical atmosphere doesn’t come to you, bring it into your house. Sometimes happiness is in the little things.
Opaque image of a breakfast that as in a dream reminds me of summer.
Cream Dream
The most important thing to make good ice cream is the ingredients. We visited a workshop for a closer look at some preparations. It’s interesting because the hard choice of which ice cream to pick, is as as tricky also for fresh pastries. The famous Sicilian cannolo, with its crunchy pastry, is filled with ricotta cream and garnished with candied fruit and cherries in brandy. The result is fabulous and it’s a great idea for summer, to be enjoyed with a good sweet wine.
The Piedmontese hazelnuts, fresh and crisp, are the main ingredient of hazelnut ice cream, to match with a softer waffle. The machines help to mix the ingredients and achieve the right texture, the milk is produced in the neighbor’s farm, and the result is amazing. There is nothing better than coming from work and enjoying a cone of ice cream before returning home for dinner. You have to taste blackberry together with vanilla and with a splash of raspberry juice. What a delight!
A touch of spring all in one glass. A bit of happiness in a smile check.
Have You Ever Been to Olympus?
A popular Italian belief says that Gods live on the Amalfitana Coast. We remember “What?”, the beautiful Roman Polanski movie, that was set in Sofia Loren‘s villa, not far from Amalfi. In that setting occur surreal situations and the sun and the sea do the rest. If you are lucky enough to spend a few days in Amalfi, you have to try Zaccaria, a small restaurant suspended on a stone balcony. It is located near Atrani, and instead of giving you a menu the waiter will ask how hungry you are. The fish arrives early in the morning from the boats which have spent their night at sea. The view is breathtaking and the white wine will help you to reach ecstasy.
Walking is the best thing to do here. It’s also the best way to see the most hidden and unknown places. Over the mountains you can find vineyards, cheese makers, the old paper mills. Further down, however, there are the lemon gardens, fragrant and tasty. You must try Limoncello, lemon liqueur, or coffee with lemon, they are delicious. It’s true, in this piece of coast there are really all the ingredients to live a heavenly life.
Sunday Breakfast by Love For Breakfast
Hungry for a bite out of Spring.
