Highlights of
'Il Gusto del Paese'
April 2009

Upcoming Events
Guess who's coming to Perugia this summer?

A Taste of Umbria
An Italian recipe with an American twist

Q & A
Eavesdropping in the local café

Upcoming Events
in Umbria

The Basic Art of Italian Cooking - Sismano - September 26 - October 3, 2009
more info
Join us at the villa for an all-inclusive week focused on food and wine with Maria Liberati, author of bestseller 'The Basic Art of Italian Cooking'. Cooking classes, day trips to wineries, linen factory, olive press and more! Save $200 by booking before May 1! Check the below link for details or contact Susan directly. http://marialiberati.com/
blog2/?page_id=542

Italian Antique Exhibition - Todi - April 10 - 19, 2009
more info
This exhibition is now a tradition and is considered a no-miss event for antique lovers and dealers, hosting the most prestigious names in the Italian antique trade in the renovated halls of the Palazzo del Vignola. Among the furniture, paintings, jewelry, carpets, bronzes and ceramics on display are unique and extremely valuable pieces which can be admired and purchased. www.rassegnaantiquariaditalia.it

Festival dei due Mondi - Spoleto - June 26 - July 12, 2009
more info
Opera, theatre, music and dance. In its 52nd year the Spoleto festival again offers a diverse program from traditional to contemporary to abstract. Puccini's 'Gianni Schicchi' directed by Woody Allen, world famous choreographers and musicians...the Spoleto festival always offers a new perspective. Major venues require pre-booking.
www.festivaldispoleto.com

Perugia Jazz Festival - July 10 - 19, 2009
more info
Ten days of jazz throughout Perugia including James Taylor, Steely Dan, Simply Red, Burt Bacharach, Paolo Conte and George Benson. Check the website for the complete line up. Headline concerts should be pre-booked online.
www.umbriajazz.com

Mongolfiera - International Balloon Festival - Todi - July 12 - 26, 2009
more info
A magnificent spectacular from many vantage points in and around Todi. Colorful balloons on a backdrop of rolling hills and medieval towns - don't forget your camera!
www.bellaumbria.net

iprimi d'italia, Pasta Festival - Foligno - September 24 - 27, 2009
more info
More than pasta this festival is about 'first courses', soups, rice, pasta etc. Cooking demonstrations and lots of sampling - this is a great festival in the historic streets of Foligno
www.iprimiditalia.it

Useful Websites

La Palazzetta del Vescovo Relais - Todi
more info
Exquisitely restored country house with spectacular views over the Tiber Valley features 9 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, infinity pool. Gracious hosts, Paola and Stefano, welcome you. Daily and weekly rates available. www.lapalazzettadelvescovo.com

Online Conversion
more info
A user friendly site for converting most measurements to metric; length, weight, temperature, volume etc. Also volume to weight measurements for cooking www.onlineconversion.com

Umbria Online
more info
An English language site offering general information about the region www.umbriaonline.com

About Umbria
more info
An English language site offering general information about the region www.aboutumbria.com

Agostini Car Rental - Todi
more info
Full service car rental and airport pick up based in Todi. The Agostini family does everything to make your driving experience in Umbria worry free. www.agostiniautonoleggio.com

A Few Words in Italian

Primavera - spring
Biscotti - biscuits/cookies
Burro - butter
Arachidi - peanuts
Burro di arachidi - peanut butter

Photo Gallery

April 2009
Buongiorno!

I hope spring has sprung where you are - I just love this time of year full of colorful blossoms and crisp clear skies, when everything and everyone comes alive and we're motivated to turn off the TV and enjoy outside activities. Oh the 'good ol' days' before national and international 'breaking' news, constantly bombarding us with negative information. Hope you enjoy the newsletter, I promise it's just 'good news'!

'The best things in life are free!'

We were reflecting on this truism while enjoying the spectacular views from the perimeter wall of Orvieto this past February. A spring like morning, perfect for a brisk walk, we were soon stripping off layers to absorb the warmth of the sun, later stopping at an outside cafè before heading to Todi for the carnevale.

We arrived in Todi by late afternoon to find proud warriors and beautiful fairy princesses sashaying in the piazza, parents in tow toting jackets, strollers, balloon animals and game prizes; all forgotten for the moment but no doubt to be remembered later...

This medieval festival is an annual tradition in Todi, a celebration for all ages - battles re-enacted, flirtations on the outdoor dance floor, food, wine and handsome 'sbandieratori' throwing their huge flags high above the mesmerized crowd in rhythm to the medieval music.

The wonders of nature, a Sunday morning hike, community events and traditions - wherever we are, I do believe the best things in life are free.

saluti,

A Taste of Umbria

I love peanut butter; unfortunately Nutella is the preferred 'spread' in Italy. Peanut butter is difficult to find, only available in supermarkets that cater to a foreign clientele. Regardless, they don't have my brand so I continue to 'import' directly with friends arriving from the US.

I also love biscotti so was so happy to find this recipe that marries the tradition of biscotti with the flavor of peanuts! A little outside of the almond 'biscotti' but it's always a success with both foreigners and locals!

Biscotto translates to 'biscuit/cookie' and in Italy is quite a generic term whereas in the US it is considered the traditional Italian biscuit, twice baked (bis = encore/twice and cotto = cooked/baked).

Peanut Butter Biscotti

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups (273 g) flour
• 1 3/4 cups (335 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup (60 g) peanut butter
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
• 1 1/4 cups (200 g) roasted peanuts, chopped

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt
2. In another bowl whisk together eggs, peanut butter and water
3. Add to flour mixture and mix just until ingredients are moistened
4. A little more water can be added if mixture is too dry to make the dough smooth
5. Stir in chopped nuts
6. Divide the dough into two parts, form each portion into a log about 3 inches (8 cm) in diameter
7. Place the logs on the cookie sheet about 3 inches (8 cm) apart and flatten slightly
8. Bake in preheated oven 350°F (175°C) until light brown about 35-40 min
9. Remove from oven and reduce oven to 300°F (150°C)
10. Let logs cool for 10 min then cut into 3/4 inch (2 cm) thick bars
11. Place bars side down back on the cookie sheet and bake for another 20 minutes or until crisp

Did you know...?

Since 1987 the 14th c. castle in the borgo of Solomeo, just west of Perugia, has been home to world-famous Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere. The Cucinelli brand is known for exceptional quality and design and, its proud label, 'Made in Italy'. A 'humanitarian capitalist', Umbrian owner and founder, Brunello Cucinelli's story is an inspiration. From his humble beginnings to his current international success, Cucinelli has remained true to his meticulous production techniques and his valued employees.

Solomeo embodies Cucinelli's corporate vision of quality, creativity and craftsmanship.

Q&A

Question from Maria
Susan, one of my favorite past times when in Italy is people watching at the local coffee bars. I love listening to the locals order their coffee - some of the requests sound so specific but when it's served I don't see much difference. I have however seen a difference in what I pay vs. the 'locals'! Can you give me some tips on what to order beyond a 'cappuccino' and why, other than being an obvious tourist I would be charged more than the regulars?

Answer from Susan
Most Italians stand at the bar to order and drink their coffee. I can only assume that you are ordering your coffee while seated at a table. Coffee served at your table will generally be charged at a premium to cover the table service. By law, all prices for beverages ordered at the bar are posted in the café - you will not be charged more than the posted price if ordering and drinking at the counter. The fee for table service varies greatly and is generally rolled into the drink price.

In major cities such as Rome or Venice table service per drink can run from 1€ to 9€ - ask anyone that has ever ordered a coffee in Piazza San Marco in Venice!
Once you venture to 'the heart of Italy' you will find table service fees to be minimal or non-existent. In Todi, a caffè at the bar is 0.70€ and an excellent cappuccino 1€.

Maria, below I have noted the common coffee menu but of course you can mix and match as desired. Some Italians have very specific combination requests - try the below and then experiment!

Ci vediamo,
Susan