Hey there everyone!
I am beyond excited to share my amazing trip with you all. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel so extensively throughout Europe so far, and it's all thanks to the amazing friends who I can visit along the way!
If you are wondering how I get around: I got myself a Eurorail Pass for 10 trips for 2 months, which will be exactly what I am using to get to and from everywhere I am going.
My latest adventure took me to Italy, where I spent three days exploring the stunning and picturesque region of Cinque Terre. Let me tell you, it was absolutely breathtaking! I started my journey in La Spezia, where I rented a cozy little room in the heart of town. This is the only stretch of the trip that I spent alone.
From there, I took a train to Monterosso al Mare, where I embarked on an epic day of hiking along the scenic coastal trail that connects all five villages of Cinque Terre. The trail offered some of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen, and it was definitely a challenge at times (especially for someone afraid of heights like me!), but it was all worth it. The pasta I had in Vernazza was simply divine, and the fresh orange juice, in the little bar on the cliff between Vernazza to Corniglia was the perfect refreshment.
I hiked up and down steep hills, which by Texas standards could be considered mountains, for a total of 12 hours. Additionally, I took a leisurely walk through the quaint coastal villages. By the evening, I was so exhausted that I did not have the energy to eat dinner.
The next day, I visited Porto Venere by boat, and it was hands down my favorite of all the villages I visited. I spent hours sitting by the water, taking in the stunning views and letting my thoughts drift.
I could go on and on about my amazing experience in Cinque Terre, but I'll just leave it at this: it was a truly profound and unforgettable journey, and I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it all.
Arrivederci,
Chef Pascal
PS: 2 of my camps are now full and have waiting lists!
We have 4 more spots left in the in-person baking camp in July.
We also have still room for most of the online camps.
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
One of the recipes this region is known for is Pesto, La Spezia translated means spice, and here is my pesto recipe:
2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Sardo cheese, or Grana Padano cheese, or a mixture of the two
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste.
Place the basil leaves and pine nuts into the bowl of a food processor and pulse several times.
Add the garlic and Parmesan or Romano cheese and pulse several times more. Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula.
IMPORTANT: While the food processor is running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady small stream. Adding the olive oil slowly, (while the processor is running) will help it emulsify and help keep the olive oil from separating.
Occasionally stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Toss with your choice of pasta and add steamed broccoli or asparagus if you wish and serve with a fresh baguette, and more parmesan on the side.
Buon appetito!