A little taster of what I got up to in my mother land Italia:

Delicate courgette flowers

I’m close to bursting, after my recent visit to the South of Italy. Not only for the food and drink but for the beauty, character and sheer joy that Italy has to offer. Yes I am Italian and I have family all over the country but I escaped for a few days on a ‘Research’ project. Make of that what you will but honestly It wasn’t a holiday, it was work, work, work. My good friend Julie came with me and took beyond 700 photographs of the coastal scenery, delicious antipasti platters, plates of fragrant freshly made food, pastries, ice creams, indulgent coffees and a few shots of me over indulging in all food and drink as usual….

I don’t need to be flown to the other side of the world to see beauty, Italy has everything I need and so much more. Naples was our base and then first on my list was the island of Capri. I am not going to bore you with details, however ever since I was a little girl I have always wanted to visit Capri. Sophia Loren my inspiration in the movie ‘It started in Naples’, so I wanted to visit the island because of her really and a little boy called ‘Nando’. Obviously neither Sophia or Nando were there, I still remained extremely happy. Ridiculous I know but I shed a tear, the sheer beauty of the island and the food to me was perfect, I wish I could I have become lost and never be found, just for a moment of course. Yes Capri is heavily full of tourist but I look beyond that, the tourist’s vanished and left me feeling complete, I could have stayed forever and am eagerly anticipating my return. Capri you have stolen my heart as well as my stomach……..

Swordfish on every market stall

The following day Rome was on our hit list. I have visited Rome may times before and find again the city is riddled with tourists but the character and history of the city is beyond beautiful. Sorrento was our third day, and what a gem the island is. We walked directly into the beautiful fruit and vegetable market, I squeaked with excitement as Julie snapped away. Fresh fruit and vegetables, what a sight of beauty, I wonder if the Italian’s realize how lucky they are living in a country full of history and the most amazing food I have ever come across.

Sorrento , beautiful Sorrento. Spaghetti con vongole and Penne di Sorrentina was lunch with the must have gelato for a sweet treat, the best gelato in the world. Lemons, lemons, lemons, would quench our thirst mid afternoon with the most amazing granita, sipping through a straw and using a tiny spoon, I felt blessed to be in such a beautiful region of Italy.

Naples well what can I say. The capital of the famous pizza and to be honest it has very good reason. Julie and I visited ‘Da Michele’ who are incredibly famous for their pizzas. Two flavors of pizzas are only available. One is the Margaretia and the other is Marinara. All I can say is wow. The Marinara is now my pizza of choice, thin stone baked base, tomato, garlic and oregano. Heaven in every mouthful. ‘Di Matteau’ was also recently seen on Gino D’acampo’s Italian Escape. They specialise in fried pizza, ‘Pizza Fritta’. Not sure I can say this but double wow!! The pizza is light and reminds me of pitole that Nonna cooks at Christmas time, but the filling is soft ricotta, cooked pancetta, tomato sauce and lots love. We were allowed into the kitchen to take photo and I felt incredibly privileged to be a watching the master pizza makers at work. So much passion in one place. A passion for food, drink, romance, love and family.

As we were walking through the center of Naples, we stumbled upon a beautiful archway, so curiosity got the better of us and we walked through, turned a corner and came across the most fabulous fresh fish and seafood market. Here are a few pics but lots happened, so wait for that blog post, all I will say is ‘Octopus’!!

The South of Italy, feels like home to me. In the Spring I will be heading back to Positano and the Amalfi, until then I will reminisce over the experiences and memories I have returned with.

So for now it’s back to writing my recipes and crack on with my book, as the dreading deadline is looming imminently.

Tanti baci.

Carmela x