Lecchi, Italy

This part of Tuscany/Tuscano is the prettiest we’ve seen. Sharply rolling and folded hills covered with olive trees and vineyards. The wild parts are forested with oaks and cypress. The buildings are exposed stone, typically set on the ridges. The new ones share material and design with the old ones to match perfectly. The towns are small, the life bolstered by tourism but still authentic.

We joined my Aunt and Uncle to enjoy the beauty, foods and weather. Lynn and I took cooking lessons from Simone, the chef at a little restaurant called Malborghetto. He taught us how to make three four-course meals then, paired them with four wines.

These were great lessons. Simone’s cooking style relies on superior ingredients and simple preparations to make delicious and beautiful meals. He taught us all we need to know to duplicate these meals at home. We also learned about coffees, salt, knives, food safety, timing and life in Italy. I added an extra day of lessons, Marilynn is looking to add an extra month next year!

The meals culminated with Frank, Jules and Ben joining us to eat for 2+ hours in the garden patio. We all ate way too much while I drank way too much. This was on moral grounds, we didn’t want any of it to return to the kitchen.