A refreshingly Umbrian start to the year

Our continued journey south through the culinary regions of Italy has continued to be not only more tasty, but less fatty! The start of 2012 has been incredibly healthy (when compared to our previous regions).

Sikeli and Stephen's entree of Fritatta Pasquale (Easter Fritatta) was a refreshingly butter, cheese and carbohydrate free course. And having just read in Body & Soul how good eggs are for you, we were practically saintly...

Melissa's main course of Lamb Ragu with Tagliatelle was beautifully rich with delicious red wine it but again - BUTTER FREE! Oh the joy. The tricolore tagliatelle was a very Italian touch.

And Daisy's Tazzotti dessert was another off piste recipe, but very nice and light.

This lunch was also a celebration of Stephen's 23rd birthday. Sikeli made an Australian Womens' Weekly Cookbook which can only be likened to a picturesque Umbrian countryside, albeit with a gorilla, elephant, meerkats and ducks.

Buon Natale!

'Twas the night before Christmas (actually four but who's counting) when all through the house, 
Not a creature was stirring (because we ate far too much), not even Spook or Bandit (food coma applies to dogs too),
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, 
In hope that St Nicholas (in our case, Sally!) would be there.... 

Our Abruzzo night was a Christmas extravaganza, with the Si Andiamo crew joined by three Christmas spirits, Maria, Edwina and Sally. The night's delights included:

Entree - A seafood pasta by Sikeli and Stephen

Main - Daisy's capra a la neretese, Goat with tomatoes and peppers

Dessert - Melissa's ricotta Christmas stars with apricots and a Christmas pudding!

Buon Natale!

2012 - the order of courses