I like to think of Vera, Graziano, Desiree, and Maja as our Italian family. For a long year plus we weren’t able to socialize with them. Vera loves to invite her clients and friends for meals together. We missed this so much. Things are better and we feel relatively safe being vaccinated and boosted so we accepted an invite for Sunday lunch.
Over the years we have met, and made friends with, many other people through Vera at her meals. And did I say she’s a great cook? And adventurous like few Italians are. She loves trying new things, but also traditional ones too. Yesterday, it was clients of Graziano’s who had been invited. They are a British man, Phil, and his wife also named Vera who is Swiss. Graziano wanted other English speakers since they weren’t strong Italian speakers. The couple own a very large house up in the mountains not too far from Vera between Cortona and Mercatale. He had a stroke recently, I can’t imagine how they do the upkeep in the place. And why would just two people want such a huge house? But different strokes as they say.
We arrived at 12:30. Vera likes us to come a little early so we can have a drink and she can show me what she’s cooking. The menu started with a traditional ragu di cinghiale bianco. Wild boar ragu. If it is called bianco or bianca it is made without tomatoes. This one had some cream to finish and was served on pappardelle. Excellent. Then she served two secondi. A whole roast duck with roasted potatoes. She makes great patate arrosto. And the other one was roasted lamb shoulder with prunes and served with saffron rice. I got pictures of everything except the pasta primo. Darn. Anyway, here are the pictures.
…and lastly, here is the gang. I’m taking the picture. From left, Luther, Vera (cook extraordinaire), Maja peeking out, Graziano, Desiree, Phil, and Swiss Vera.
A buona domenica and excellent lunch with friends. 💕
Vera’s patate are the best. Hope yours are perfect too!
Oh…to have been able to tuck in! I haven’t made roasted potatoes for a long, long time. Tonight, they will be done!
Yes Rebecca . . . The Italians as a rule, know how to live. And we are happy to tag along!
It was wonderful. The other couple’s house was probably close to the house you liked.
Hi Christy – pretty simple. As she tells me – cut the potatoes into pretty big chunks, peeled or unpeeled. Wash and dry thoroughly. Having the potatoes very dry, no moisture, is key. Coat with olive oil, salt and pepper, and some chopped rosemary if you like, and put in a hot oven for an hour.
Life well lived
Looked like a wonderful meal. Wish I mwas there !
Lovely! I’d love the potatoes recipe!
Thank Matt. Friends are important in this world.
Hi Nancy – Thanks for sharing your life with us! So happy you get to be with your friends again; I know how much this means to you.
Matt