A fun, immersive cooking class in Lecce, Puglia
Taking part in a cooking course through my travels is a little something I normally enjoy to do. It is a terrific way to learn about the neighborhood lifestyle and cuisine, and to pick up a new recipe or two. All through my take a look at to Lecce (map), a historic city in southern Puglia, I had the opportunity to be part of a cooking course at the Awaiting Table, the most founded cooking faculty in Lecce (established in 2003). The school delivers week-very long classes, as effectively as working day classes, which I opted for as I was only in Lecce for a couple times. I understood I was in for a take care of but it turned out to be just one of the most entertaining, educative and immersive things to do in Lecce!
There have been 4 of us at the daytime cooking system that working day. We met Silvestro, the founder of the Awaiting Table, at Lecce’s key square, following to the city’s iconic amphitheatre.
Silvestro welcomed us and gave us a quick introduction to Puglian food and wines ahead of having us to the fish marketplace. At the sector, he explained to us about the various styles of fish and their origins, and the most effective methods to prepare dinner them. For our lunch study course, he picked some fish and squid, which we would later on learn to put together and cook dinner.
From the fish market, Silvestro led us across the historic town centre, with its gorgeous Baroque façades, to the vegetable market. The fresh new rocket leaves, artichokes, tomatoes and mushrooms ended up a mouthwatering sight! We gleefully loaded our baskets – I was not the only vegetable lover in the group – and ongoing on our way to Silvestro’s cooking faculty in the city centre.
Found in a historic setting up, the Awaiting Desk faculty, is each cosy and colourful. Filled to the brim with cooking publications, pots and pans and all sorts of kitchen area utensils, it certain was a cheery sight!
Producing pasta
We donned our aprons and received completely ready for our to start with lesson: pasta! Silvestro defined the unique types of flour employed, and that barley flour is typically employed in Puglia. As we kneaded the dough, Silvestro gave us the selection of distinctive pastas we could make. We voted for cappalletti (a pasta condition reminiscent of Mexican sombreros).
It was a entertaining exercise, using a glass to lower out shapes from the flattened dough, then folding them right before utilising a bottle to make the ‘sombreros’.
Making ready seafood and vegetables
Upcoming up, Silvestro released the different styles of seafood and veggies we were being heading to try to eat. He then gave us a masterclass in how to prepare artichokes and squid. Gosh, I had no plan how quite a few measures have been included in cleansing and preparing these! Cleansing the squid was particularly difficult. It certain made me respect the operate completed by fishmongers each individual day to deliver them prepared-to-cook.
A crash study course in Puglia wines
Silvestro invited us into the dining home when we were completed. He proceeded to inform us about wines in Puglia – a person issue I discovered is that, contrary to well-known belief, Primitivo is not the most common grape wide range in Puglia the most commonly-grown grape variety in Puglia is Negroamaro. We then loved a wine-tasting of three distinctive rosés. Puglia is renowned for its crimson wines so it is no speculate that the most common chilled wines are rosé and not white (nevertheless Puglia also makes, among other folks, a lovely white assortment termed Verdeca).
Cooking our lunch
After the wine-tasting, we ended up invited, 1 by a single, back into the kitchen to prepare dinner the dishes. I volunteered for the pasta dish: cappalletti, cherry tomatoes and squid.
When all people had cooked their dishes, lunch was served. It seemed absolutely mouthwatering! My favourites ended up the grilled fish, which was refreshing and tremendous delicious, and the artichokes and sautéed wild rocket. So delicious!
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I looked close to and all people had looks of joy and marvel on their faces ‘wonder’ due to the fact we couldn’t really believe that that we’d just ready and cooked all the things on the desk!
The Awaiting Table cooking class guaranteed is 1 of the most effective points to do in Lecce! Encouraged by what I discovered at this Lecce cooking course, I handed on the classes to my little ones at household just a week afterwards. We invested an afternoon building pasta and experienced a fantastic time!
In addition to cooking classes in Lecce, the Awaiting desk also organises 7 days-prolonged cooking classes (some with yoga and biking) at a nearby castle. For extra data, check out the Awaiting Table programs.
Be aware: I was invited by the Awaiting Desk to take part in this course. As normally, all sights stated above are mine.