Charlotte's Newsletter | Issue 8

Issue 8 | Friday 20th May 2022

Welcome to Issue 8

Thank you for joining me again.

The last few weeks have just flown past, and I am so thrilled to bring you Issue 8 of my newsletter. It's been four months since I started it, and it's been a delight to see more and more people reading each time. Thank you to you all. 

This week, there is an Italian flavour to proceedings, as I’ve just returned from a fantastic few days in Milan. Given the gastronomic delights I have enjoyed over the last few days, it made sense to me to share some of these delights with you.
 
This was my first visit to Milan, and I found it to be as stylish, beautiful and delicious as I dared anticipate. It is nothing short of a feast for the eyes to walk around, with some exquisitely beautiful architecture, museums and shops to see, really great food to enjoy and plenty to do to occupy at least a week, or more. 
 
I went to attend a book launch with Riso Gallo, who have just published their 11th Guido Gallo cookbook, featuring rice based recipes from chefs based all over the world. The book, Non Solo Risotti, contains recipes from well-known chefs from all over the world. Contributors from the UK included Angela Hartnett, Theo Randall, Brad Carter, Chris Galvin and John Williams. Quite amazingly, around 250 were able to attend the party this week. What a delight it was to return to a buzzing room, packed full of people having fun again. 

For the avoidance of doubt, I have been entertained by Riso Gallo this week, but as always, this newsletter is not sponsored or paid-for in any way. All the recommendations are my own observations or findings and will always be this way.

I hope you will enjoy reading this week, and join me again next time. 

Very best wishes to you all,

Charlotte

Charlotte's Basket

As each week goes by, we start to see more and more new produce available. It is such a delight to see.

I planted quite a few vegetable, salad and herb seeds this spring, and they are growing rapidly, promising beans, courgettes, tomatoes and mixed salad soon.

In the shops, the strawberries continue to improve. There is still rhubarb, too. I have taken delivery of a box of Alphonso mangoes, which I am watching carefully, so that I strike at the optimum moment.

There are artichokes, sugar snaps and asparagus still, and I've even seen some early courgette flowers. 

I am trying to grow some rarer varieties of vegetables, lettuces and bitter leaves, and have stocked up some Italian varieties, such as castelfranco, radicchio and chioggia beetroot from Franchi seeds, who I've been impressed by.

However, this week has been more about my suitcase, rather than my basket. I always look for special treats to bring back home. I have the Riso Gallo Gran Reserva carnaroli rice, which is the Ferrari of risotto rice; aged and produced using sustainable farming practices. And yes, Ocado sell it. Hurrah! I also have some pasta from Pasta di Aldo, which is seriously good and looks very special when served. Thankfully, Sous Chef sell it here. And finally, when travelling hand-luggage only, I always pick up some lovely biscuits to share. There are so many lovely varieties to try, from Nannini to Dolce Amaro, and they look so gorgeous to give as presents. I have discovered Saclà's lovely online shop, which is a great source for Italian treats back home.

Charlotte Loves

Great things to eat and drink in Milan
 

• First of all, gelato is the thing to eat, and there are hundreds of gelaterias all over the city. I particularly liked Ciaccio on Via Spadari and Savini in the Vittorio Emanuele II arcade.

• The local wines are really fantastic, and I’m a big fan of the sparkling wines, especially Franciacorta (Marchese Antioni) or Lambrusco (Sorbara). 

• One of the things I love to do in Italy is to have a coffee standing up at the bar. There is nothing quite like it, and it’s a moment that always makes me feel like I’m on holiday.

• Italy is obviously known for its pasta and pizza, and personally, I’m more of a pizza girl. I really liked the pizzas at Spontini, La Locanda del Gatto Rosso and also Princi, which sells them warm and sliced to go.

What to cook this week

• Well, I confess, I've discovered I've been doing risotto wrong! This series of videos has been gone changing for me in understanding how to improve the flavours and textures of the dish.

• This recipe for Lombardian farfalle with venison ragù is so good, from Christine Smallwood, whose books in Italian regional food are brilliant. I have them all.

• I have lost count of how many times I have made this simple and quick baked aubergine and tomato dish from the late, great Antonio Carluccio.

• Another recipe I have made countless times because it is just so useful, is Marcella Hazan's tomato sauce. If you haven't heard of her before and like Italian food, then her books are a must. She is an authority on Italian cooking.

• And finally, from Tuscany, my sausage and rosemary ragù is another great recipe to have up your sleeve. It's an oldie, but a goodie.

Things to do in Milan

There are endless things to see and do in Milan, but here are a few top highlights.

The Duomo is really worth a look. Take the rooftop tour if you can. It is quite amazing to see the city panorama, and also to appreciate another perspective of this staggeringly ornate building.

Villa Necchio Campagnilo was the venue for the book launch, and is probably one of the most stylish houses I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. It’s the most perfectly elegant 1930’s detached house, set in a mature walled garden, once a private home, now maintained by the cultural organisation FIA. If you’ve seen the film, House of Gucci, you may have noticed it in that. 

If you feel like a good walk, head to Castello to see the Castello Sforzesco and the Sempione gardens behind it. 

Something for the Weekend

As the weekend approaches, here are 
some of my top recommendations for 
the days ahead, to save for another day or share with a friend.

Do, please, let me know if you try any of them, and what you think.

Great places to enjoy Italian food in the UK

• Watson and Walpole in Framingham, Suffolk. Unbelievably delicious and excellent value.

• The River Café, London. Lovely, for a real treat.

• Coppi, in Belfast. So good. Be sure to book, though

• Valvona and Crolla, Edinburgh. An outstanding food shop, wine merchant, cafe and restaurant.

• Contini, George Street, Edinburgh. Lovely, lovely surroundings, food and drink

My upcoming cookery classes

• Monday 30th May - Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting at Harborne Food School

• Tuesday 31st May - Moroccan cooking at Harborne Food School

• Monday 6th June - Plant based cooking at Harborne Food School

• Tuesday 7th June - Middle Eastern Mezze (Vegetarian) at Harborne Food School

• Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st  June - Cooking for a Healthy Body and Mind at Harborne Food School

Places are available, currently, on all courses. And if you'd like a private class, either one-to-one, or for your friends or business, you can find our more on my website, or get in touch.