Fine art portraiture, landscapes and art workshops
DAmbruoso Studios Presents
Flying Fork ™ Food, Wine & Cultural Holidays
Join us in Italy on the Amalfi Coast & Tuscany for Cooking Lessons Tastings of fine wines, cheeses and olive oils. Live the cultural experience!
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FLYING FORK HOLIDAYSCOOKS ON THE AMALFI COAST JUNE 23-30, 2010
Imagine breathtaking views, hidden treasures, the rugged seacoast and sophisticated living of this World Heritage Site.
We'll learn to make regional delights at the home of one of the region's most revered cooks. She'll lead us in preparing seasonal dishes such as stuffed zucchini blossoms, lemon risotto, fresh seafood and savory antipasti. Enjoy an al fresco luncheon in her beautiful garden, under lemon groves and bougainvillea, sipping wines harvested from the vines growing on the steep cliffs tumbling to the sea.
. 7 nights 8 days at a charming seaside hotel in Amalfi, each room with a seaview; sunbathing terrace. Rooms all have private baths
. Breakfast each morning; most meals provided
. 3 days of exciting cooking lessons in a private home in Ravello, followed by sumptuous al fresco lunches on the terrace, served with wines from our hosts' vineyards.
Most ingredients come from the family's well tended Organic Garden and many of the vegetables are "put up" - we'll get to taste some unusual preserves.
Enjoy the Culinary Traditions of Campagnia. including tasting regional olive oils, wines and homemade liquors. Some favorites are limoncello, mandarin or fennel - did I say fennel?
How about a drive along the spectacular Amalfi Coast? Our destination - a working dairy farm to see for ourselves the art of producing one of our favorite foods - Buffalo Mozzarella!
Remaining days enjoy:
Excursions to Ravello to tour the medieval Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone with its gardens and “terrace to infinity” overlooking the Valley of the Dragons;
Capri and Positano, both will charm you – The ferry ride along the AmalfiCoast to enchanting
While in Amalfi visit Cathedral of St. Andrew, MaritimeMuseum and the old paper mills for handmade papers
Transportation to program sites by private car or ferry boats.
$3,450 per person double occupancy. Single rooms available at a supplement of $475.
You will need to get to our location on the Amalfi Coast, and we will assist with arrangements for a taxi from Naples Airport or Train station.
Just great food!
FLYING FORK HOLIDAYS COOKS IN TUSCANY October 13 - 20, 2010
The region know as Val d'Orcia, also a World Heritage Site, is home to classic hill towns. You'll be mesmerized by the fields of endless vineyards and olive groves, and the winding lanes bordered by tall, proud cypress trees.
We'll cook and feast on this region's traditional grilled meats, "pici", a hand rolled pasta unique to Tuscany, and the hearty soup ribollita. Spend the morning at the local outdoor market selecting produce and ingredients to cook. Of course, it's all enjoyed with the world renowned wines of Tuscany.
. 7 nights 8 days at a restored Papal Villa; Rooms all have private baths. . Breakfast each morning; most meals provided
. 3 days of exciting cooking lessons, including a market visit; lunches served with local wines.
We'll start with the fine art of Fresh Pasta. Learn to make the dough, several shapes and classic sauces.
Explore the Tuscan Flavors of earthy olive oils, classic wines - think Vino Nobile, Brunello and Chianti - and wonderful local cheeses. We'll have a very special three course wine paired luncheon.
Let's go to the Farmer's Market - to shop for fresh ingredients for today's class - what tasty morsels will we find?
Remaining Days enjoy:
Assisi Full day excursion to this center of Umbrian life known for its beautifuland impressive museums & cathedrals. Pienza the perfect traditional renaissance village where we’ll have time to stop in the local shops and maybetry a rustic porchetta sandwich (photo above). Monticchiello a tiny medieval walled village with a classic Tuscan view. Bagno Vignoni a lovely surprise!
Take your cameras – and comfortable shoes - we’ll be driving and walking through incredible countryside!.
R/Trip transportation Rome to our location. Transportation to program sites included.
$3,450 per person double occupancy. Single rooms available at a supplement of $375
Flying Fork Food, Wine & Cultural Holidays believes in a relaxed pace with time to savor each day. You'll enjoy the best and most authentic experience you can have. We love to join in the colorful markets or participate in local feast days. Spend a week tasting the regional foods and soaking in the essence of Italian history, arts, and culture.
The best reason to travel and be with the people you love is to Celebrate LIFE! And that's what Italy is all about.
Attending a Traveling Palette Art Workshop and want to attend a 1-day cooking program - just contact us at samdambruoso@comcast.net and we'll give you the details.
Have A Group of 8-12 people?Girls Get-Away - Couples - Culinary Clubs
You select the dates, and we'll work with you to design a unique itinerary.
How about a stop off in Rome for a 9-course wine paired dinner at a 3 Star Michelin Restaurant? AMALFI / ROME8 days / 7nights total with 5 nights Amalfi, 2 nights Rome
orTUSCANY/ ROME 8 days / 7nights total with 5 nights Tuscany, 2 nights Rome
Mary Ann D'Ambruoso will oversee the week's activities and share her hospitality experiences, including many years behind the stove! Mary Ann has traveled throughout Italy these past 14 years with her husband Sam's art workshops. She loves to encourage guests in their personal discovery of this most exciting country.
Cooking lessons for a day or two have been a part of the art workshops for about 5 years, and this year Mary Ann is expanding the offerings to a full week of culinary and cultural holidays for all FOODIES to join in on the fun.
A SPECIAL RECIPE
My Grandmother, Maria, made this vegetable stew on Friday's (which was a meatless day) and we continue to enjoy it during the summer and fall each year. It's easy and flavorful - packed with all the good tastes of your garden - and wait until you smell the fantastic aroma in your kitchen.
2 cans of italian plum tomato - 28 or 35 oz each
3 large potatoes (any type you prefer) cut into 1 inch cubes
1 lb of green beans (whole of halved) -ok to use frozen
2 med squash (green or yellow) sliced
2 medium onions chopped
2 medium cloves of garlic chopped
1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves snipped (substitute parsley if fresh basil's not avail)
1/2 red cherry pepper or red pepper flakes (optional)
salt & black pepper to taste
olive oil - enough to cover the bottom of the pan
Heat the olive oil, add the chopped garlic, onions and cherry pepper if using it; saute about 3-5 min. Add tomatoes, crushing them with a masher. Allow this mixture to carefully cook about 15 min. then add potatoes; continue to cook for about 15 more min. Add in the green beans, squash and basil leaves, season with salt & pepper. Continue to slow simmer the mixture until all vegetables are cooked to your liking.
If you like, you may use this mixture over small pasta like shells or rotelli - but we always just eat this wonderful stew with a good italian bread.
This is also a good side-dish for a summer buffet and a great recipe for your vegetarian friends.
Ciao!
All artwork and images are the property of D'Ambruoso Studios LLC and The Traveling Palette™ is not available for reproduction without the written consent of Sam D'Ambruoso or D'Ambruoso Studios LLC., 67 Richardson Drive, Middlebury, CT 06762. Tel: 203-758-9660
