Cooking Lessons in  a 13th Century Farmhouse with Maria

 




Immersed in the beautiful Tuscan countryside just 15kms from the art capital of Florence,
this characteristic farmhouse has all the charms of a Medieval kitchen, wooden beams,
terracotta floors and open fireplace. 
An ideal setting to enjoy an authentic Tuscan cooking experience. 

Maria your host and cook will introduce you to traditional country recipes using fresh ingredients
and herbs from her vegetable garden and her own olive oil from the surrounding olive groves. 
You can join in the preparation of a four course lunch or dinner learning the secrets of local dishes
 and then dine al fresco in the garden accompanied by
a few glasses of Chianti wine and stimulating conversation.
Tuscan bread, wine and fruit are also included in the lunch. 
  

Price per person  Euro : 85.00

Special gift of an apron and recipe notebook for each participant.

Language spoken: English

Duration : Cooking time 2 ½ hours, dining together 1 hour.

Two  participants are the minimum for a lesson

Dinner guests not participating in the lesson Euro :40.00

Transport not included.

Course hours:

            Monday through Friday – 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Cooking time 2 ½ hours, dining together 1 hour).

Course program:

        Students may choose from 7  menus or let me know what they would like to cook..  
       
      When all dishes are prepared the students, sit down to enjoy their Tuscan lunch or dinner.
      One bottle of Chianti  wine and Tuscan bread are included in the meal plan. 

 


Charming Lee and Boon from Singapore


Kathy and Maria

 

 Great Lads from England


Kim and Gregg on their honeymoon


The fun Edson Family


The Edson children -great cooks


Jim,Maria and Pedro enjoying Kathy's food!


Kim stiring

 


Greg making tiramisu


Boon making lasagna


John busy with lasagna



Kathy and Maria

 

Menu One – Lasagna Lovers

     Antipasto – Crostini Toscani (Chicken liver patθ) Canapes or Articoke Canapes with cream cheese.

    First Course – Lasagna (Meat Sauce – cooking time 2 hours+), White cream sauce and fresh lasagna noodles.

     Second Course – Chicken in Fricasse (creamy lemon sauce with egg yolk) or chicken with herbs and black olives

     Dessert – Pears baked in wine.

 

Menu Two – Pork Lovers

    Antipasto – . Artichoke or Olive canapes

    First Course – Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta and Bean soup)

    Second Course – Arista (Pork Loin Roast) with fresh herbs

    Vegetables- Patate alla Contadina (Country style potatoes in a red sauce with fresh herbs).


Menu Three – Poultry Lovers

    Antipasto – Sausage and cream cheese Canapes 

    First Course -Risotto – Rice Italian style with vegetables of the season

    Second Course – Chicken Breasts with Pesto and Zucchini  

    Dessert  - Tiramisu

Menu Four – Beef Lovers

     Antipasto – French bean mousse with walnut bread

     First Course – Spezzatino (Beef Stew) with Polenta – 

      Dessert - Panna cotta

 

Menu Five – Mushroom Lovers

     First Course – Various sauces for pasta

     Second Course – Guinee Hen roasted with olives

     Vegetables - Fagolini in Umido (string beans with tomatoes, carrots and herbs).

 Menu Six – Fish Lovers

    Antipasto – Mixed fish salad

    First Course – Spaghetti alle asparagi e gamberi – Spaghetti with asparagus and shrimps 

    Second Course – Cod fish Livorno style cooked in a tomato sauce with potatoes.  

    Dessert - Lemon sorbetto

Menu Seven – Steak and Tomato Lovers

    Antipasto – Bruschetta -  Tomato canapes with fresh herbs and olive oil on toasted Tuscan bread

    First course – Tagliatelle con carciofi & tonno  – Egg noodles in an articoke and tuna sauce .

    Second Course – Saltinbocca - Beef slices Roman style

    Vegetables –  Grilled vegetables (eggplant, zucchini and yellow and red bell peppers)

     in a balsamic and garlic vinegar sauce. 
  

More Photos

If there is a special dish not on my menus that you would like to learn...

 just ask and we can include or substitute dishes. 

 If you are interested in the pasta making course ask for particulars.

 

Here above is Maria and Marilyn's cook book with 24 pasta recipes and watercolours 
which is given to each guest that has a cooking lesson

Various Cooking Courses