An Adventure in Italian Cuisine at Hotel Villa Steno

We mentioned briefly in our last blog the Italian pesto and pasta demonstration at Hotel Villa Steno.  But, that doesn't say enough about the incredible time and the fun, adventure, instruction, and meal that we experience. 

Our class starts with Carla showing us how to each make our own pesto, combining Genovese basil (which flourishes in Liguria, this region of north-western Italy), pine nuts, parmigiano reggiano, pecorino sardo (or romano), garlic, and olive oil in a mortar and pestle.  With much upper arm muscle, this all turns into pesto.

Class is ready to begin

Pesto ingredients and recipe

It takes a while, but eventually pesto arrives for each of us.

Pesto is here

Taste testing

After the pesto, we make our pasta, combining eggs, "0" flour, semola flour, and salt.  More arm action, followed by cranking on the pasta machine as we make our dough thinner and thinner until it is ready to be cut into strips of tagliatelle.

Pasta ingredients

Tagliatelle in process

While we are making the pesto and pasta, Matteo prepares branzino in olive oil and lemon (and a few olives and herbs).

Branzino in process

Our pasta is cooked, mixed with the pesto and served, followed by the branzino (incredible, simply cooked and the best we've ever had - no bones, creamy, light, flavorful).  Wow!

Tagliatelle with pesto

Followed by branzino

To top it all off, homemade tiramisu for desert.  What a treat!  We worked for our dinner, learned something, and dined spectacularly.  What more could anyone ask for?

Tiramisu for desert

Our class is held on the balcony of Hotel Villa Steno, where we normally have breakfast and start our day overlooking the city of Monterosso al Mare.  The hotel is located up via Roma in the old town, on a hill overlooking the city.  The views are incredible and change through the day, from spectacular sunrises to scenic days and picturesque nights.  Always tranquil and serene.

View from the balcony where we make pesto

Views throughout the day

This has been another great experience at Hotel Villa Steno in Monterosso al Mare.  There is a reason that we come back every year and that this is one of our favorite places in the world.  Great sights, great adventures, great food, great people, great friends.  It doesn't get much better than this!

Salut!

We wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to sharing new adventures in the new year.  So far, we have plans for the US, Europe, and the Caribbean.  We hope to also spend some time in Asia, but will have to see how that develops.  Thank you for joining us this year!