As an Italian woman, cooking comes as natural to me as breathing. One of my most romantic dreams was to take a cooking class in Tuscany with the local Italians.
In August of 2014, that dream came true during our month-long visit to Italy! I had planned my trip so that during week two (following a busy four days in Rome), we would relax in the Tuscan countryside, at an absolutely wonderful vacation villa called Il Borghetto.
With a love for Italian food and cooking, I knew I found the perfect place in Il Borghetto to call home while in San Gimignano, Tuscany.
After searching the internet incessantly for months, I found Il Borghetto and was thrilled to find a vacation villa that had all the amenities for which I had been searching. Roomy apartment accommodations, great views, a scenic pool, an on-premises restaurant...and an on-site cooking class!!
In August of 2014, that dream came true during our month-long visit to Italy! I had planned my trip so that during week two (following a busy four days in Rome), we would relax in the Tuscan countryside, at an absolutely wonderful vacation villa called Il Borghetto.
With a love for Italian food and cooking, I knew I found the perfect place in Il Borghetto to call home while in San Gimignano, Tuscany.
After searching the internet incessantly for months, I found Il Borghetto and was thrilled to find a vacation villa that had all the amenities for which I had been searching. Roomy apartment accommodations, great views, a scenic pool, an on-premises restaurant...and an on-site cooking class!!
Me and my two daughters (Kelsey, 7 and Gianna, 10) with Patricia, our cooking class teacher at Il Borghetto Tuscan Vacations in San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy (c) travelincousins.com
Simona & Sandra - Two of the Owners
I became fast friends with one of the proprietors, Simona, and through our friendly email correspondence over the course of several months, I had booked several dinners for our stay at Il Borghetto as well as reserving space in their weekly cooking class!
By the time we had arrived at Il Borghetto, I felt as if I knew Simona for years. Her tourism background is a tremendous asset to the rest of her family, who share ownership in this warm and welcoming Tuscan villa. She was even kind enough to allow me to practice my Italian during our frequent communication!
By the time we had arrived at Il Borghetto, I felt as if I knew Simona for years. Her tourism background is a tremendous asset to the rest of her family, who share ownership in this warm and welcoming Tuscan villa. She was even kind enough to allow me to practice my Italian during our frequent communication!
Il Borghetto Tuscan Holidays
Back to Il Borghetto and our cooking class with Patricia, our amazing chef!!
Our class was private made up of me, my two daughters and my mom, along with an interpreter to help us out! I cannot emphasize what a fun experience this was for all of us! Should you travel to this region and have an opportunity to visit or enjoy an extended stay at Il Borghetto, their cooking class is a must-do and it is an especially great activity to do with kids.
We got suited up in our aprons and Patricia wasted no time, getting each of us involved in the cooking process! The girls were using their hands, mixing and combining ingredients. The atmosphere was so relaxed and informal, and it felt as if we were in my grandmother's kitchen.
Our class was private made up of me, my two daughters and my mom, along with an interpreter to help us out! I cannot emphasize what a fun experience this was for all of us! Should you travel to this region and have an opportunity to visit or enjoy an extended stay at Il Borghetto, their cooking class is a must-do and it is an especially great activity to do with kids.
We got suited up in our aprons and Patricia wasted no time, getting each of us involved in the cooking process! The girls were using their hands, mixing and combining ingredients. The atmosphere was so relaxed and informal, and it felt as if we were in my grandmother's kitchen.
Gianna mixing up the dough (c) travelincousins.com
An appreciation for a Tuscan cooking class comes with having a great understanding of the region of Tuscany and what it brings to the culinary arts.
Tuscan cuisine has a rich and long history that dates back to the Etruscan people up through modern day.
The region has had a diverse history of inhabitants from the primeval colonies, followed by Etruscans and then by the Romans. All of these cultures were great lovers of wine and fine food.
Tuscan cuisine has a rich and long history that dates back to the Etruscan people up through modern day.
The region has had a diverse history of inhabitants from the primeval colonies, followed by Etruscans and then by the Romans. All of these cultures were great lovers of wine and fine food.
The romantic and scenic outdoor dining room overlooking the Tuscan hillside
The Renaissance period was without question one of the most influential times in the development of the cuisine as chefs working at the noble courts had the task of preparing elaborate dishes. As a people, Tuscans have always had a great love for less elaborate and more simply prepared dishes.
Additionally, the variety of food products cultivated in this region enabled both elaborate and simple cooking for a range of flavorful fare.
Additionally, the variety of food products cultivated in this region enabled both elaborate and simple cooking for a range of flavorful fare.
Everything from legumes, such as lentils, beans, and chickpeas to barley, millet, spelt, fruits, vegetables, wine and olive oil have a cultivation history that goes back to ancient times, and with the region's livestock such as sheep, goats, pigs and cattle, which provided a multitude of other food products like milk, cheese and meat, the resources for developing amazing dishes has always been varied and plentiful.
With a rich food history, and an array of flavors and tastes readily available in this region, is it any wonder, learning to cook in Tuscany was a dream of mine?
With a rich food history, and an array of flavors and tastes readily available in this region, is it any wonder, learning to cook in Tuscany was a dream of mine?
FRESH SQUASH
ZUCCHINI
PIZZA MARGHERITA
FRESH TOMATO SAUCE WITH BASIL FOR GNOCCHETTI
The dishes on the menu were quintessential Tuscan - wholesome, simple and delicious. My daughter Kelsey is quite picky and she enjoyed almost all the items we prepared!! She especially LOVED the Zonzelle, which is fried pizza dough. Patricia showed us how this can be served sweet with powdered sugar or savory with salt. Both ways were phenomenal!!
Here is the menu of items we cooked:
Pizza Margherita
Zonzelle (Fried Pizza Dough)
Gnocchetti di Patate Alla Contadina
(Fresh Ricotta Cheese and Tomatoes)
Zucchini Ripieni (Stuffed Zucchini with potatoes)
Torta Di Mele (Apple Crumble)
Pizza Margherita
Zonzelle (Fried Pizza Dough)
Gnocchetti di Patate Alla Contadina
(Fresh Ricotta Cheese and Tomatoes)
Zucchini Ripieni (Stuffed Zucchini with potatoes)
Torta Di Mele (Apple Crumble)
ZONZELLE (FRIED PIZZA DOUGH)
SALAD WITH ZUCCHINI RIPIENI (STUFFED ZUCCHINI)
GNOCCHETTI WITH TOMATO AND RICOTTA SAUCE
I just totally loved the warmth and friendliness that we experienced. We tasted everything along the way, as any good cook does!
All of our hard work led up to an amazing sit-down lunch, outside under the pergola. The breeze, the view, the wine and the food was like living in a culinary dream!!
All of our hard work led up to an amazing sit-down lunch, outside under the pergola. The breeze, the view, the wine and the food was like living in a culinary dream!!
 My gang cooking away (c) travelincousins.com  (c) travelincousins.com |  (c) travelincousins.com  (c) travelincousins.com |
Patricia was incredible with my girls!! She encouraged them every step of the way, which resulted in tremendous confidence as they moved from dish to dish throughout the class.
What I loved best about cooking with Patricia and the format of the class, was the informality of it all. No fancy equipment. Just old school apparatus and kitchen tools, same as my grandma used to make all her food throughout the years.
What I loved best about cooking with Patricia and the format of the class, was the informality of it all. No fancy equipment. Just old school apparatus and kitchen tools, same as my grandma used to make all her food throughout the years.
PATRICIA, OUR CHEF/INSTRUCTOR
The language difference was never a barrier as my mom speaks Italian and I can get by with my limited understanding and speech. However, we shared the language of food and from there we were able to communicate just fine!!
I felt like I was able to check something near and dear to my heart off of my bucket list. However, there is no question, this Italian girl would do a Tuscan cooking class over and over!!
-Elisa
I felt like I was able to check something near and dear to my heart off of my bucket list. However, there is no question, this Italian girl would do a Tuscan cooking class over and over!!
-Elisa
EATING OUR FOOD AL FRESCO
| FOR YOUR REFERENCE IL BORGHETTO TUSCAN HOLIDAYS Località Cortennano 21/23 53037 - San Gimignano (Siena - Italy) Ph. +39 0577 941780 Fax +39 0577 906783 www.ilborghettotuscanholidays.com [email protected] |  |
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