Crap Weather for August!

[Pigmy Pony]

Since returning from Italy, the weather's been fab... Currently 20C, nice and dry and sunny. More al fresco dining later and drinking some of the vino we brought back!

First pasta at home (homemade tagliatelle al ragu), since enjoying it many times in Italy, showing that Del can do it just as well as the Italians!



Marco.

Italian food and vino enjoyed outside in the warm sunshine - how do you tell where the holiday ends and home life begins? I was going to suggest the difference is nice scenery and foreign accents, but you live in Wales, so it's not even that

[Pigmy Pony]

And Al's right - that portion needs a bit more piling on

[Marco]

And Al's right - that portion needs a bit more piling on

Lol... Is there a risk of someone coming and stealing your food from in front of you? Otherwise, why pile it all at once onto your plate?

That is the British way: rather gluttonous and which encourages waste. If you want more, you can always take it from the pot (where it's being kept warm), or serving platter, after you've finished what's on your plate. *That* is the European (and Italian) way - and which helps prevent waste.

Learn to take time to enjoy and savour your food, rather than gulp it down like gruel!

Marco.

[Pigmy Pony]

Lol... Is there a risk of someone coming and stealing your food from in front of you? Otherwise, why pile it all at once onto your plate?

That is the British way: rather gluttonous and which encourages waste. If you want more, you can always take it from the pot (where it's being kept warm), or serving platter, after you've finished what's on your plate. *That* is the European (and Italian) way - and which helps prevent waste.

Learn to take time to enjoy and savour your food, rather than gulp it down like gruel!

Marco.

Funny you should mention the word gruel - if I were presented with that portion I would be saying to you "Please Sir, I want some more", or "Get some more on there, ya tight git"

And doing it the Italian way would not prevent waste in my case - I NEVER leave any of a meal, and that's not due to gluttony. I just know how much is the right amount, so why would I be arsed eating a half portion then taking myself away to put some more on? Your meal would barely cover the bottom of me trough

I do admit though to having a "healthy" appetite, and I have heard it said of me "I'd rather keep him for a week than a fortnight".

[Marco]

Funny you should mention the word gruel - if I were presented with that portion I would be saying to you "Please Sir, I want some more", or "Get some more on there, ya tight git"

And doing it the Italian way would not prevent waste in my case - I NEVER leave any of a meal, and that's not due to gluttony. I just know how much is the right amount, so why would I be arsed eating a half portion then taking myself away to put some more on? Your meal would barely cover the bottom of me trough

I do admit though to having a "healthy" appetite, and I have heard it said of me "I'd rather keep him for a week than a fortnight".

Ha - well, I'm different, as I never know how much I want to eat until I get started! And one of my pet hates is having my plate piled up with food, and feeling obliged to eat it all, even when I'm full.... So I prefer putting manageable amounts of food onto my plate, which I know I'll eat, then if I want more I can take it.

Plus, it means that what's left over is kept warm in the pot, until/if I want it, rather than getting cold on the plate. Can't stand food that's meant to be eaten piping hot getting tepid or cold... And I'm a slow eater, so that's liable to happen! I also like to arrange food on the plate so it looks nice/appetising, and so for that you need to create some space

Don't do food that looks like it's just been dolloped out like school dinners, with no love or attention...

Marco.

[walpurgis]

I have a problem with food. I tend to do more than I need or want, but polish off most of it. Doesn't really help with my trying to lose a few pounds.

After starting off making what I expect to be a smallish meal, it tends to end up rather enormous, but I eat it 'cos I hate wasting stuff.

I think I may go on a cereal & fruit diet. Only after I've used up all the tasty fattening food I have stocked though!

[Marco]

Italian food and vino enjoyed outside in the warm sunshine - how do you tell where the holiday ends and home life begins? I was going to suggest the difference is nice scenery and foreign accents, but you live in Wales, so it's not even that

Ha - too true

We've brought back so many goodies from France and Italy that it won't be hard to replicate the eating (and drinking) experience here, especially while the lovely weather prevails and Del is off work (she still has another two weeks of her holidays left), and we intend to make the most of it!

She's also got family coming over to visit from Germany on Saturday, and it's forecast for Sunday to be a scorcher, so there'll be plenty of al fresco dining to come!

Some of the booze haul, unloaded from the Brabster, when we arrived home:



You couldn't get that lot inside a suitcase when you're flying!

Marco.

[rmcin626]

Ha - too true

We've brought back so many goodies from France and Italy that it won't be hard to replicate the eating (and drinking) experience here, especially while the lovely weather prevails and Del is off work (she still has another two weeks of her holidays left), and we intend to make the most of it!

She's also got family coming over to visit from Germany on Saturday, and it's forecast for Sunday to be a scorcher, so there'll be plenty of al fresco dining to come!

Some of the booze haul, unloaded from the Brabster, when we arrived home:



You couldn't get that lot inside a suitcase when you're flying!

Marco.

Ok you’ve persuaded me, I’ll come for a couple of glasses of wine

[Marco]

Lol - I counted just under 200 bottles in total of wine, aperitifs and spirits, once the car had been emptied!

Loads of major bargains.... That's one of the main reasons why we travel abroad by car, so we can bring back loads of goodies to enjoy at home, not just food and wine, but nice things we see for the house, often from local markets in various towns and villages, but also to enjoy the lovely scenery and tour around, which you can't do on a plane.

So when are you popping down? We'll need a hand to drink it!

Marco.

[Roy S]

Lol - I counted just under 200 bottles in total of wine, aperitifs and spirits

When's the party?