San Galgano Abbey, a secret treasure in Tuscany

Far only 1 1/2 hour by car from Fortezza de’ Cortesi, situated on the main road between Massa Marittima and Siena, the Cistercan abbey of San Galgano leave to visitors an indelible picture in the memory. It was built between 1224 and 1288 and contained the earliest Gothic churc in Tuscany. It provided the inspiration of Siena Cathedral. A magical, special, suggestive place. Absolutely to visit!

OUR DOG CLEOPATRA AND ...CATS.

What about Cleopatra the curious Fortezza de’ Cortesi dachsund? So brave, amusing and affectinate with all humans, she’s terrible with our cats. The hunter insticts guide her short legs chasing the poor felines who take refuge on the property’s wood trees. She waits adamant barking for hours till exhausted she comes home with his tongue hanging out.

Gli amici a 4 zampe di Fortezza de' Cortesi

Cosa dire di Cleopatra, la curiosa bassottina a pelo duro di Fortezza de’ Cortesi? Così amabile, divertente e affezionata al genere umano, è terribile con i nostri poveri gatti.
L’ istinto di cacciatrice guida le sue corte zampe all’inseguimento dei poveri felini che cercano rifugio sugli alberi del bosco della proprietà. Lei imperterrita attende abbaiando per ore e alla fine torna a casa esausta con la lingua penzoloni.

Mint, an extremely versatile herb

Mint is an important ingredient in health products and beauty, especially for hair and oily skin. It also complements dishes both sweet and savoury.
It has the ability to bring freshness to any dish you may prepare for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Mint tea is said to aid digestion. Use it fresh to make this delicious mint tea recipe. It’s incredibly easy to make.
You will need 1 oz (15-30 g) of fresh mint.
Put the leaves in a tea infuser. Heat 3 cups of water to boiling. Then pour the boiling water over the leaves and into the pot. Let fresh leaves steep for about 3-4 minutes.
Now, drink and enjoy the taste of a relaxing summer sunshine in a cup.

blogging... Fortezza de' Cortesi: Erbe aromatiche, che aiuto prezioso in cucina!

blogging... Fortezza de' Cortesi: Erbe aromatiche, che aiuto prezioso in cucina!

Sage, beautiful in the garden, good on the plate

Walking in my garden I admire the borders of sage and I pick a few leaves. Immediately an intense aroma is released into the air. Well, they will be perfect for seasoning ricotta and spinach Tuscan ravioli (gnudi) that I made this morning.

Ingredients:
4 ½ pounds spinach
16 oz ricotta
3 eggs
a little flour
4 oz butter
10 sage leaves
6 spoons of parmesancheese
nutmeg
salt

Wash and boil the spinach with a little water salting lightly. Drain, leave to cool and chop finely.
Put the trhee whole eggs into a bowl and mix them with the ricotta, a pinch of nutmeg and salt.
Add the parmesan cheese and the chopped spinach and blend well. With this mixture make little ovalshaped rissoles and flour them. Boil some lightly salted water and drop in a few the “gnudi” at a time. As soon as theyrise to the surface, take them out of the pan with a perforated spoon and put them on a wide serving dish. Season them with melted butter that had been previously heated to which were added the sage leaves and plenty of parmesan.

Salvia, bella in giardino, buona nel piatto

Passeggiando nel mio giardino ammiro le bordure di salvia e ne raccolgo qualche foglia. Subito un profumo intenso si sprigiona nell'aria. Bene, saranno perfette per condire i ravioli di ricotta e spinaci alla toscana (gnudi) che ho preparato stamattina.

Ingredienti
2 kg di spinaci,
400 gr di ricotta ,
tre uova,
farina qb
100 gr di burro
10 foglie di salvia
6 cucchiai di formaggio parmigiano
noce moscata
sale q.b.

Lavare gli spinaci e lessarli in poca acqua salata. Scolarli, lasciarli raffreddare e tritarli finemente.
In una terrina lavorare la ricotta con le uova intere, un pizzico di noce moscata e sale qb. Aggiungere poi il parmigiano e gli spinaci e amalgamare il tutto.
Con il composto formare delle polpette non molto grandi di forma ovale. Infarinatele.
Far bollire dell’acqua salata e gettare gli gnudi in piccole quantità. Scolarli con un mestolo forato quando tornano a galla e metterli in un vassoio largo.
Condire con burro fuso precedentemente scaldato a cui erano state aggiunte le foglie di salvia e abbondante parmigiano.