David’s 3 hour cooking class started at 3pm at the restaurant “Il Ritrovo” in Montepertuso a beautiful small village located on a clifftop rising one thousand feet above sea-level, that boasts breathtaking views of Mediterranean and majestically overlooking the Amalfi Coast. David took the short 10 minute walk from our B&B and told Karen that he will call her when dinner was nearly complete so that we can both enjoy this freshly prepared meal. The instructor was the head chef Salvatore Barba’s, Aunt Mary Lou.
Everything was fresh as Mary Lou went to the market earlier in the day for such things as Zucchini Flowers. The eggs came directly from their own chickens. The menu was:
Five cheese Ravioli, made from fresh homemade egg pasta dough. One secret instead of using yeast, use a bottle of beer, no waiting. Preparing the pasta gave David’s hands and forearms a good work out. Pasta dough was used for making the Raviolli and Pappardelle (large, very broad, flat pasta noodle). We made 27 Ravioli’s, and was told by Mary Lou that we made extra so to serve to other customers that evening. Wow not only preparing it for us but to paid customers, no I did not get a kick back.
Ritrovo Tempura – batter for Zucchini Flowers, can be used for veggies as well. Can’t wait to try it on mushrooms (funghi).
Zucchini Flowers stuffed with five cheese mixture then dipped in the tempura and fried.
Tomato sauce was prepared earlier in the day but was given the recipe for it, no more store bought tomato sauce.
Cherry tomato sauce used for the Pappardelle.
Main course was Meat with lemon sauce or Beef Scallopini with Lemon sauce, same recipe for veal, fish or chicken Scallopini.
For desert Brutto ma Buono, a flour-less rolled cookie made from ground nuts, egg whites and sugar and of course some other special secret ingredients. Can’t wait to try this at home. Chef Salvador tasted one and gave me the fingers on the lips approval and said that they will be served to their customers to enjoy as well.
The dinner was a great success and Karen said that I was her best Italian dinner ever!
