Summer nostalgia

With the inevitable approach of Fall, I've been longing for those delicious barbecues, endless walks under the mediterranean sun , my colourful summer kaftans and flip-flops... Summer please come back soon!

...what do you miss the most about summer?

Hanging out with
family & friends

Salsiccia from Anacapri's butcher Domenico and fresh fish from Crescenzo 
= amazing bbq

Summer = fresh lemons from the garden = homemade limoncello!

Cappuccini and cornetti at "Il Piccolo Bar"

Just looooooove these...

When Francesco suggested me to order ravioli during my first stay in Capri I was like "Are you kidding me, I'm not going to eat boring tasteless ravioli!" Obviously not knowing what I was missing out on...  Was I glad that he insisted because they were absolutely AMAZING!!! Tender, fluffy clouds of delight. Definitely one of my favorite dishes in the world. 

Ravioli Capresi

Simple recipe, big mess. My kitchen (and I) looked kind of like the last scene of Scarface... 

A tip from the cook; make a lot and freeze them for later. I made 120 ravioli with 1 kg of all-purpose flour (and some more for dusting), 1 liter of  boiling water, 5 table spoons of olive oil extra vergine. For the filling you need 5 eggs, 700 grams of  Caciotta di Sorrento cheese (ricotta), 400 grams of grated Parmesan, fresh marjoram leaves, salt and pepper.

La pasta (the dough)

On a clean surface combine the flour, water and olive oil and stir the ingredients with a fork to combine into a big ball. 

Il ripieno (the filling)

Beat the eggs. Combine the Caciotta, Parmesan and the eggs. Stir well.  Add the finely chopped marjoram, a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir again.

Dust the work surface and a rolling pin. Take one third of the dough and roll it into a thin (3 mm) rectangle. Place rounded teaspoons of cheese filling on one half of the rolled dough. Make sure that they're 1,5 cm apart. Gently fold the other part of the dough over the cheese filling. Use a small round cutter mold to cut out the ravioli. If you don't have a ravioli cutter mold use a knife to make small rounds (note; ravioli capresi are NOT SQUARE!). In this case you have to seal them by pressing the edges down with your fingertips.  If you have an original italian stampo (mold) for ravioli capresi it's not necessary. Keep on cutting until there's no dough/filling left. 

I guess portions of  8 to 10 ravioli a person are perfect.  Just boil them in a large pot of salted water and take them out when they're floating. Serve them with a sauce of fresh pomodorini, olive oil, garlic, fresh basil leaves, oregano and peperoncino.

You'll love them!

P.S. If you're interested in a genuine capresi ravioli cutter send a mail to culinary@postcardsfromcapri.com

Delicious cheese filling...

1,2,3,4...

55,56,57... 58...

Jack my little kitchen aid to the rescue...

118, 119... 120 ravioli! We did it!

A proud cook.

postcardsfromcapri.com

Ciao a tutti,

It's been a while (2 months!). 2 busy months. Adapting to the island life, home decorating and gardening, socializing and making new friends. And what a life changing experience it is,  the relaxed and mellow Capri life. And since I'm here I've become more relaxed (read: slow!). When it's not today... it's tomorrow. 

What a beautiful place, with such a rich history, amazing nature, food and people. To share the "Capri mood" we created postcardsfromcapri.com. For now only in dutch but soon also in english.

Hope you have a wonderful & relaxed friday!

Just an ordinary day...

What a way to decompress after the stressful move... Sun, sea and great food! We took our scooter and drove to the beach, where we sunbathed while Jack was playing in the water.We had a great lunch at our favorite place at Marina Piccola.  Fresh gamberi, calamaretti fritti and a delicious sicilian white wine... I really can't complain about my new home can I?! 

Funny Valentine

Not romantic but definitely funny... I love you but.

This also made me laugh... Romance in Venice.

Happy Valentine's day everyone!

Almost San Valentino...

I wonder how their story ended. I don't know what's worse though... Saying something and wishing you had not or saying nothing and wishing you had?  How do you tell someone you like him/her? Definitely not by chat or sms... that would take the romance right out of Valentine's.

My most memorable Valentine's day was 5 years ago. We had the most perfect romantic night at our friend Luigi's place Villa Brunella in Capri. That place oozes romance! Candle light, great music, good wine, the most delicious pasta con gamberi e zucchine (a must eat) and the most spectacular view ever... A night to remember.

Buon weekend a tutti!