The most famous of the Tuscan cities, Florence is one of the most beautiful renaissance cities in the world. With a wide selection of breathe taking churches such as the Duomo, art galleries, shopping, wineries, and winding back streets, Florence offers something for everyone.
Sticking with the theme of Siena and Tuscany, I give you this weeks recipe: parppadelle with lamb ragu. A dish that is Tuscan through and through, the important part of this dish is to thoroughly coat the wide noodles with an ample amount of the sauce. The lamb can be substituted with venison, veal, or if your luck would have it, boar like you’d most likely receive in Tuscany.
Ingredients:
Fresh ground lamb, tomato, celery, carrot, onion, garlic, rosemary, parsley, anchovy paste, a dry red wine, salt, pepper, and sugar
A relatively compact historic city situated within the hills of Tuscany, Siena seems to be everyone’s favourite Italian town that they never mention. Lost in the shadows of more famous Italian cities such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, Siena quietly offers up world class cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape, one of Italy’s most beautiful duomos, and the palio, a horse race held in the campo twice a year.
Recently having the chance to finally set out and explore Italy I had the pleasure of spending three days here with the thought of using it as a base camp for visiting other famous Tuscan towns, but as luck would have it, I’d end up spending all my time exploring the city.
The cities historic centre, incased within the old city walls, make it extremely easy to wander without worries of losing ones barings. With three days to see the city I’d highly suggest checking out the following, but leave plenty of time to just wander, as some of the most breathetaking views will be found off the beaten path.
Duomo: One of Italy’s most famous and impressive cathedrals, the Duomo of Siena begun construction in 12th century. Featuring a gothic facade and arcitechture, the inside features a ornate marble mosiac floors depicting scenes from the old testament.
Panorama: The Duomo museum and panorama offer up breathe taking views of Siena and the Tuscan country side. At a cost of 10 euro for entrance into the Duomo, Baptistery, crypts, and panorama it’s worth the cost. It’s worth noting that the climb to the top of the panorama features winding, narrow spiral staircases, which are not for the claustrophobic.
Campo: The main public meeting area in Siena is one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares, which also serves as host to the Palio twice a year.
Pinacoteca Nazionale: Siena’s art gallery, housing some of Italy’s greatest paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries.
Palazzo Pubblico: The town hall and bell tower which reside in the campo. If you’re feeling energetic, climb the 505 steps to the top of the bell tower, Italy’s second highest.
This week I bring you another simple, hearty sauce: sausage with sun dried tomato. I went with a mild Italian turkey sausage as it was the fresh selection of the day at my butcher shop, but any sausage of your choice will do just fine.
Ingredients:
pork sausages, sun dried tomato, tomato, onion, carrot, celery, basil, parsley, salt, pepper, garlic, sugar, olive oil, and rigatoni.
After a recent three week trip to Italy (lots of updates to come about this soon) I’ve found myself inspired to master Italian cooking and the dishes I gorged on while over seas. After some rather vocal encouragement, I decided it would be a great idea to document my attempts as well as share the receipts that work out.
As my first post I bring you rigatoni with sausage and roasted red peppers.
A favourite dish of mine, and one that I can personally classify as comfort food, it only seemed fitting as the dish to start this new segment off with. Below you’ll find a list of ingredient as well as some photos to show the cooking process. As with all good Italian cooking there is no such thing as exact measurements or amounts, it’s all to taste and personal preference.
Ingredients:
pork sausages, red pepper, mushroom, tomato, onion, carrot, celery, basil, parsley, salt, pepper, sugar, and olive oil.
With good weather finally upon us and winter a distant memory, I finally switch to two of my favourite hobbies and pass times: travel and photography. My first stop on this year’s tour was a city I’ve come to love and somewhat consider my adopted American home: Chicago. Ripe with history, stunning architecture, amazing food, a thriving sports community, and great parks, Chicago is one of my favourite places to visit and see.
While the weather sadly didn’t agree for most of my visit it did allow me a single beautiful day to get out and wander the downtown core and parks in search of some photo opportunities. Below you’ll see some of my favourite shots taken on this trip. Locations include Grant & Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile, Adler Planetarium, and the printers row district.
After a long, long winter, I think it’s safe to say that Spring (and subsequently) my inspiration to wander outside and finally start taking some pictures again, has arrived.
Below are a few of my favourites from my first photo walk of the year as I set out to try and capture some of the first images of spring, hope you enjoy.
A few shots from my short visit to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Blessed with some great fall weather I was able to get out and enjoy some of the local attractions such as Kakabeka Falls, Cascade Falls, Mount McKay, and the Terry Fox Memorial. Here are a few shots from the area, enjoy.
At long last: Peru. When trying to think of a way to describe this trip the only thought I could eventually come up with was: go experience it for yourself. In a country rich with history, beauty, tradition, and ever changing landscapes, it is a location that will always leave you a reason to go back. After spending two weeks in this amazing country I can truly say that I’ll one day return in hopes of revisiting the places I’ve already been; as well as seeing new sights and locations.
Cusco:
The first stop on my two week whirl wind tour of Peru: Cusco. As the former Inca capital, this ancient city and current tourist mecca serves as the staging point for those looking to head out on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. A city rich with culture and history, Cusco was a location that didn’t disappoint. From the Plaza de Armas, San Cristobal and the numerous other cathedrals, Saqsaywaman, and random celebrations, Cusco never ceased to have something to see or do.
The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu:
The highlight of my time in Peru and the reason I decided to do this trip, the Inca Trail would prove a huge test both mentally and physically.
Starting off at kilometer 82 and covering 45kms ending at the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail spans across the mountains and highlands of Peru. With altitude ranging anywhere from 8856 feet above sea level (2700 masl) to the high pass of Warmi Wañuska(13779 feet above sea level o r 4200 masl), the views are incredible, the oxygen is thin, and the trail is tough. Along the trail you’ll get views of the farming terraces of Llactapata, spectacular views of the Andes as seen at the highest point on the trail Warmi Wañuska (Dead Woman’s Pass), Paqaymayu, the ruins and pass of Runkuracay, the cloud fortress of Sayacmarca, cloud forests, ruins of Phuyupatamarca and Wiñayhuayna, and of course Machu Picchu.
The Amazon:
The third and final stop on my tour of Peru: Iquitos and the Amazon. Located in the northern region of Peru near the borders of Colombia and Brazil, Iquitos is the worlds largest city not accessable by road. A location of interest due to it’s remote nature, Iquitos offered the unique experience of travelling into the Amazon jungle via boat or as we did it, a mototaxi ride into the small fishing village of Llanchama. A remote village located on the Nanay River, Llanchama allowed us to spend our days hiking through the jungle, swimming in the Nanay river, and taking in the sights that this remote location offered.
The final stop on my tour of British Columbia: Kelowna. Known for it’s abundance of beaches and wineries, Kelowna is a fantastic spot to stop and relax while taking in the sights of the Okanagan Valley. While my time here was far too short I still had the chance to take in the lives of the locals while sampling some of the best wines of the region at Summerhill and Grey Monk wineries, floating down the channel at the neighboring town of Penticton, and checking out the numerous beaches at City Park. Below are a few pictures which include City Park, Summerhill Winery, and Kalamalka lake, enjoy.
