Daring Cooks August Challenge

Rice with mushrooms, cuttlefish and artichokes … kind of!

After not being able to take part in July’s challenge I’m back with the August challenge, which I have to say was very interesting.

The challenge was presented by Olga from Las Cosas de Olga and Olga’s Recipes .  It is a Spanish recipe by José Andrés and it was a huge hit here.  I have to admit that I had to make some slight modifications for two reasons.

The first reason being that I had to adjust the quantities. No point in making a dish for four when there are only going to be two dinner guests!!

The second reason was economy.  I didn’t add the artichokes because no one here really enjoys them and I didn’t want to make an expensive dish that no one would eat!

I used one large cuttlefish instead of two but there was plenty to go around!

With the exception of the artichokes, I followed the recipe as provided and I have to say that it was very much appreciated.  My husband said that it was the best thing I have ever made for him. I have to be honest that I’m not sure how I feel about that compliment.  On the one hand – yeah for me, on the other – what was wrong with all the food I’ve cooked in the past!?!?!

The finished dish.

It was also my first time working with a whole cuttlefish and that was kind of fun.

We will definitely be returning to this dish and I highly recommend it to any of you that want to give it a try.

You can find the recipe and instructions at the Daring Kitchen.

Bastioni e Bastimenti

Bastions and ships.  What do they have in common?  Don’t know and I’m not particularly concerned either.  What I am interested in however an event called, you guessed it Bastioni e Bastimenti that will be held in Celano (AQ) on August 17th.  The Emigrants Dream, A Journey through Flavours. 

Bastions, because the stands and displays will be set up all along the outer walls of Celano’s beautiful castle, ships because it is a tribute to all those that took on the greatest adventure of their lives by saying goodbye to their home land and taking a chance on starting a new life in a new place.

If you happen to be in the area try and make this event.  Many of the exhibitors are artisans from the area in and around L’Aquila and there will be food and fabulous products to tempt just about everyone.

“Bastioni e Bastimenti è la storia di radici e di partenze, di un viaggio verso la scoperta, tra aspettative, sacrifici e speranze.

 Quest’anno torna a rinnovare la memoria e l’importanza dell’emigrazione celebrando l’aspetto forse più recondito ma al tempo stesso più esaltante.

 Il sogno di tornare per raccogliere il frutto stesso dell’emigrazione, quanto seminato con umiltà e sacrificio.

 La speranza di dar vita ad una propria azienda, di costruirsi una casa.

 Fare fortuna e tornare.

 Quando i nostri padri e i nostri nonni lasciarono la loro terra per cercare un’esistenza migliore lontano dai propri affetti e dal loro mondo, nella valigia di cartone non chiusero solo un pò di biancheria e un vestito di ricambio.

 Tra le poche cose materiali trovarono spazio le memorie della loro vita e un sogno da realizzare.

 Chi partiva sapeva di andare a fare lavori umili e malpagati, ma questo non cancellava la speranza di portare indietro, dopo anni di privazioni, il successo di essere “qualcuno”.

 La nostalgia del proprio mondo si affievoliva solo all’idea del ritorno, e il desiderio del ritorno si esaltava al pensiero del sogno da concretizzare.

 Anche quest’anno il percorso di Bastioni e Bastimenti si snoda lungo le stradine e i vicoli del centro storico.

Ristoratori, espositori, artigiani dei mestieri antichi, gruppi musicali, allestimenti video e illuminotecnica renderanno ancora più caratteristico questo viaggio nel cuore della città.”

“Bastioni e Bastimenti is the history of roots and departures, of a journey towards discovery, through expectations, sacrifices and hope.

 This year it is back to refresh memories and remind of the importance of emigration by celebrating the aspect that is perhaps the most inaccessible yet at the same time the most exhilarating aspect.

 The dream of returning to gather the fruits of that self same emigration, those sown with humility and sacrifice.

 The hope of giving life to a business, of building a home.

 To make your fortune and go back.

 When our fathers and grandfathers left their homeland in search of a better life fa from their loved ones and their world, there was more than just a change of clothes in those cardboard suitcases.

 Among the few material possessions there was room for memories of a lifetime and a dream to make come true.

 Those that left knew that they were headed for low paid, menial jobs, but this didn’t erase the hope of returning, after years of deprivation, having attained success and becoming “a somebody”.

 Feelings of homesickness were alleviated only by the idea of returning and the desire to return was increased by the thought of a dream coming true.

 Once again this year the route of Bastioni e Bastimenti winds its way through the streets and lanes of the historic centre.

 Restaurateurs, exhibitors, traditional artisans, musical groups, video and light show will all contribute to making this voyage in the heart of the city even more characteristic.”