Dewdrop World

It was one of the best meals of our lives.

We were staying at an Agritourismo (this one was a working olive oil farm) in San Sepolchro. You can see my corny video at the bottom.

I was surprised when the Nonna told us we would be having lasagne–isn’t that better when it’s cold out, I thought? So heavy for summer… But wow, it was the lightest lasagne I have ever had–no ricotta, just tons of summery squash and zucchini.

I really wanted to try to make one for GP on his birthday and lucked out with this recipe from Serious Eats.

I never grew up eating casseroles and not owning an oven my entire adult life has made me hesitant about them even now.

Though we did buy an oven when we re-did the kitchen three years ago, I almost never use it..

…And turning it on in summer seemed crazy.

But I must say, it turned out great!!

My mom put together the caprese using these tiny arugula that were growing in the tangle of inedible mint, rosemary and basil in our “herb garden” (disaster zone)… and I made two salads by David Tanis.

I love the way he cooks seasonally. These are both from summer.

Tomatoes and olives with coriander vinaigrette and French Potato and Green Bean Salad

We also had pickles and bread and olive oil (brought back from Tuscany.)

It was a wonderful day celebrating GP.

(I hope he liked it too)

Now I am thinking ahead and might try a winter lasagne when it gets cold (It does get cold here too).

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 I also made this FRESH BERRY DIGESTIF— also from David Tanis’ cookbook, Heart if the Artichoke (I should buy more of his cookbooks since I love this one so much).

But we never got to it.

I guess I will have to drink it myself (Chris in Australia)–

But it is very strong (Brunello Grappa)–in Venice we had golden grapes infused with grappa but I simply can’t replicate the taste of it here.

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My corny video from our meal in San Sepolchro below…